The Atlantic Veterinary College (AVC) at the University of Prince Edward Island (UPEI) was recently awarded $6 million in research funding through ACOA's Atlantic Innovation Fund (AIF). The two highly innovative research and development projects that received funding and#150; the Maritime Quality Milk project and the creation of the Atlantic Centre for Bioproducts Valuation and#150; further demonstrate AVC's leadership within PEI's growing expertise in bioscience, nutrisciences and health research.

"Researchers at the Atlantic Veterinary College are world-class," says Dr. Tim Ogilvie, Dean, AVC at UPEI. "Their research is leading edge and has direct benefits for animal health, human health, and the strength of various industries. We are grateful for ACOA's investment in these exceptional projects." Under the leadership of principal investigator, Dr. Greg Keefe, Department of Health Management, AVC at UPEI, and co-investigators, Drs. Herman Barkema and Ian Dohoo, AVC's Atlantic-wide Maritime Quality Milk (MQM) project will help strengthen the competitive position of the region's agriculture and agri-food industry through extensive milk quality research. "This project is designed to provide an integrated approach for development and marketing of milk-based diagnostics for disease surveillance and help develop indicators of dairy productivity. By providing non-invasive testing methods and processes targeted at lowering the levels of antibiotics used in the industry, this initiative will result in higher returns to producers and improved quality dairy products," explains Keefe.

The integrated research and service capacity of MQM will be unparalleled in the Canadian diary industry. The project will also provide enhanced animal health and disease surveillance services to the Atlantic dairy industry. This world-class research will support the training of highly qualified personnel in the areas of product quality, animal health and disease surveillance, integrating all research and service activities at one site. The successful completion of this project will ensure that information generated is directly relevant to the needs of dairy farmers and the industry in general.

The creation of the Atlantic Centre for Bioproducts Valuation (ACBV) will also contribute to the growth and impact of PEI's evolving bioscience cluster. ACBV will operate in the niche area of preclinical studies by providing services to researchers and companies, regardless of location, with biologically-relevant animal models of disease and new tools to screen compounds. "This work will be used in developing treatments for strokes (neurodegeneration), neuroinflammation, and metabolic disorders," says Dr. Tarek Saleh, Department of Biomedical Sciences, AVC at UPEI; principal investigator for the project; and project leader for the stroke research and development platform.

"This new centre will fill the critical gap between pre-clinical laboratory studies and local phase one clinical testing. It will also help in developing high-value intellectual properties by delivering client services for testing molecules, compounds and formulations of interest to pharmaceutical and other companies," explains Saleh. Through interaction with regional medical and/or agricultural schools and institutions, opportunities exist to collaborate on research in human and animal clinical trials.

The development of the ACBV is a partnership between the Atlantic Veterinary College at UPEI and the National Research Council's Institute for Nutrisciences and Health (NRC-INH). In addition to Saleh, several NRC researchers who hold adjunct appointments within AVC departments at UPEI also play key roles in the development and operation of the ACBV. These researchers include Drs. Jeff Zidichouski, James Johnston, Michael Mayne, Yanwen Wang, and Bob Chapman.

Funded by the four Atlantic provinces, the Atlantic Veterinary College at UPEI is committed to excellence and innovation in education, research and veterinary service. Over the past 20 years, the College has graduated approximately 1,000 doctors of veterinary medicine, has become known around the world for its research capabilities, and is the Atlantic region's only full service veterinary referral hospital.

This Saturday, April 22, UPEI will be hosting a public reception to showcase the success of its Engineering students. The reception will take place at the Rodd Charlottetown Hotel from 6:30 to 8:00pm.

The event will begin with recognition of UPEI's team of second-year students who won both the Atlantic and National engineering design competitions this spring. Caleb Curtis, Gabriel Landry, Daniel Palmer, and Hannah Sutherland will be demonstrating their winning crane design which gained them two awards at the National competition in Montreal.

Dr. Roger Gordon, Dean of Science at UPEI, is proud to be celebrating the team's accomplishments. "Consistently, our Engineering students perform well against students from some of the larger universities in these competitions. This year's outstanding performance speaks to the excellence of our Engineering program, its faculty and its students."

Nine other design projects will also be on display throughout the reception. These are the term's work of Dr. Andrew Trivett's first- year Engineering class.

"The Engineering profession exists to solve problems for people and society, so our program tries very hard to challenge the students to do just that from the very beginning. The problems our students have solved are real, and are helping researchers, business, and the community. Our young engineering students are showing the level of impact that engineers can have on this Island," says Trivett.

Groups of four to six students strive to fill real needs that exist in the community. The students work with individuals or groups to understand each problem, and then design and build a solution. Some of the projects this year include aerial photography using a kite system, tags to monitor eel populations, and a rear-view mirror system to reduce accidents associated with backing up vehicles.

Megan Mugford's group has converted a gasoline lawnmower engine to run on alcohol. The engine is now fueled on 100 per cent ethanol. Ethanol burns more completely than gasoline. The group also compared emissions for the engine, as well as power output, to the traditional gas engine. Megan says, "this has been a great learning experience. Throughout the term, we have encountered the problems that professional engineers face each day. We have learned that with hard work and determination, anything can be accomplished."

Two of the student groups worked directly with Beach Grove Home to design a new pill-crusher and an ergonomic medi-chart to house it. These projects may lead to summer jobs for two of the UPEI students who would be working to implement these products for use at Beach Grove.

Nine undergraduate researchers from Professor Stacey Nairn's social psychology classes at UPEI are getting ready to enjoy a remarkable opportunity; one that is rarely offered so early in a student's academic career. They have been invited to share their research findings with professional psychologists from across Canada. The students are preparing to make presentations at the prestigious Canadian Psychological Association Conference, to take place June 7 to10 in Calgary. Their research topic is "revenge."

"Our findings hit on groundbreaking material which has not yet been touched on in the realm of social psychology," says Jeff Villard. "All of us are ecstatic at being part of this nationwide experience, which would not have been attainable without UPEI challenging our creativity. We would not be allowed the same experience if we were attending a larger university. Much admiration goes out to our amazing professor, Dr. Stacey Nairn, for giving us this opportunity."

Recent research about conflict in interpersonal relationships has focused on the topic of forgiveness. In many circumstances however, people choose to withhold forgiveness and want to "get even" or seek revenge for the harm they experience. "We need to understand what revenge is, how it works, and how we can circumvent its potentially negative consequences in our own lives," explains Professor Nairn. "These projects were designed to begin to examine these issues."

Her students examined three types of situational variables that may influence people's perceptions of the acceptability of revenge or retaliation. Study one addressed the influence of the gender of those involved in a transgression/revenge cycle, while study two examined "how much is too much" when it comes to retaliatory actions. The third study investigated the impact of talking about transgressions and revenge with others.

"Our small class of 14 students broke off into even smaller groups where we ran three separate studies, which all had an underlying theme of revenge. Eventually these studies were brought together and here we are now," explains Amy Douglas. "We are almost overwhelmed with how well we have done with our research as a group. It's great to have so much support from our school and we are excited to represent our university."

"Attending this conference will be an important stepping stone in terms of graduate school applications and will afford these high-achieving undergraduate researchers the opportunity to meet with potential graduate supervisors, some of whom have already been contacted and are looking forward to speaking in person with these students," adds Professor Nairn.

The students are raising funds to travel to the conference and have already received significant support from Lou MacEachern, a native Prince Edward Islander who now lives in Calgary. After they return from the Canadian Psychological Association Conference, Professor Nairn will present an expanded version of her students' revenge research at the International Conference on Personal Relationships in Greece.

On April 28, university researchers and community members from an innovative project that aims to improve the health of children and youth in six rural communities will meet at UPEI to share the results of their work. For the past three years, they have been taking part in a research program entitled "Engaging the Community: Knowledge Translation as Transformation in the Lives and Children and Youth in Rural Prince Edward Island."

The six communities taking part are Souris, Montague, Rustico, Kensington, Lennox Island and O'Leary. The symposium is an exciting opportunity for the participants to share their experiences in the project. People from government and other agencies who are stakeholders in the issues being addressed will also take part.

Knowledge translation is the sharing of knowledge with decision-makers and program planners. Several steps are involved: collaboration with community members, information gathering, sharing research on issues raised by the community, and the development of initiatives to address issues important to the community. Essential to Engaging the Community has been the active involvement of parents, youth, and service providers.

Funded by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research, the Engaging the Community project is led by Dr. Vianne Timmons and involves members of the UPEI Children's Health Applied Research Team (CHART): Barb Campbell, Dr. Kimberley Critchley, Dr. Alexander McAuley, Dr. Jennifer Taylor and Dr. Fiona Walton.

For more information about the Engaging the Community project, visit campus.upei.ca/engaging or call Jane MacDonald, Research Coordinator at 566-6009, jmacdonald@upei.ca.

Federal-provincial agreements signed today will allow international students to work off-campus while they are studying in Canada. Education Minister Mildred Dover advised that a new agreement signed today between Citizenship and Immigration Canada, the government of Prince Edward Island and post-secondary institutions, will allow eligible foreign students at UPEI, Holland College and Sociand#233;tand#233; and#201;ducative to work off campus for up to 20 hours per week during the school year and full-time during study breaks, as well as two years following graduation.

The agreement is effective immediately and students can apply for a permit right away. Minister Dover advised that the agreement will make it easier for students to gain valuable work experience and to earn extra income while studying. "It will help students who have come a long way from home to pay for their education and to engage further in our communities," she said. "It will be more attractive for international students to study in Canada. By enabling students to work in Canada for up to two years after graduation, we can increase our access to a pool of highly skilled young workers who have been educated in Canada."

Brian McMillan, Holland College president advised that colleges have long advocated for these measures to support international students. "The opportunity for our international students to work off-campus while they complete their education and training enriches their post-secondary learning experience, while at the same time providing a positive learning experience for those Islanders and Canadians who work with them," said Dr. McMillan.

Approximately 150 international students from 48 different countries currently at UPEI would be eligible to apply for this opportunity. "UPEI welcomes this new agreement to allow our international students to participate in the community and economy of PEI," says UPEI President Wade MacLauchlan. "Working off-campus will allow these students to gain a deeper understanding of PEI society and help them cover the costs of their education at the same time. We encourage employers to consider the significant contributions that students from other countries can make to our workforce."

Declining population figures are affecting enrolment at universities and colleges in the region. Attracting more international students is a priority to help ensure future sustainability.

For more information please contact Student Services at 566-0488.

The University of Prince Edward Island celebrated three of its top Co-op students at this year's Co-op Student of the Year awards presentations on Thursday, April 27 in the W.A. Murphy Student Centre. Every year, they are awarded to a Co-op student in each of Business Administration, Computer Science, and Physics based on employer recommendations.

The recipient of the award for Business Co-op Student of the Year was Brad Colwill, nominated by Wayne Beaton from the chartered accountant firm of Beaton, Fitzpatrick, and Murray. He won the award because of his professional abilities, congenial personality and strong work ethic, combined with the enthusiasm of his employer.

"Brad has the personality to fit with co-workers as well as the professionalism to deal with clients and he possesses an eagerness to listen and learn," said Wayne Beaton in his nomination application.

Yan Jiang, Computer Science Co-op Student of the Year, was nominated by her supervisors within the IT Security Section of Veterans Affairs Canada for her accomplishments in analyzing email for the purpose of identifying and blocking spam email. She has completed her final year at UPEI and will receive her Bachelor of Science degree, Majoring in Computer Science with Co-operative Education. Besides her three work terms with Veterans Affairs Canada, she also completed a four-month work term with the Canada Revenue Agency in Summerside.

In Physics, the Co-op Student of the Year honour was awarded to Evan O'Connor, a fourth-year student in a combined Honours Physics and Co-op program. He worked at the Dominion Radio Astrophysical Observatory at the NRC Herzberg Institute of Astrophysics in Penticton, BC. His supervisor, Dr. Sean Dougherty, was very impressed with his work and felt the nomination was well deserved. O'Connor was studying the structure and dynamics of colliding-wind binary star systems and plans to return to Penticton for another work term in January 2007.

Co-operative Education offers students combined academic studies with practical work experience. About 160 students are enrolled in the Co-operative Education Program at UPEI. Students have the opportunity to work in PEI, across Canada, and in international placements. For information about the Co-op Education program contact co-op@upei.ca.

The federal government announced the latest round of Canada Research Chair appointments today in Quebec City and the list included a Tier 1 Chair in Marine Natural Products Chemistry for the University of Prince Edward Island.

Dr. Russell Kerr from the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry at Florida Atlantic University will join the UPEI Faculty of Science on August 1. The long-term objective of Dr. Kerr's natural products research will be to aid in the development of new therapeutic drugs from a variety of marine life without damaging fragile marine environments.

"Dr. Kerr is an international research leader in the area of marine natural products. His experience and expertise in research and development will be a great addition to PEI's bioscience strengths. UPEI is very pleased that Dr. Kerr is joining us as our first Tier 1 Canada Research Chair," says Dr. Katherine Schultz, Vice President of Research and Development at UPEI.

The Canada Research Chairs Program is designed to attract the best talent from Canada and around the world, helping universities achieve research excellence in natural sciences and engineering, health sciences, and social sciences and humanities.

Norman Webster, former Chancellor of the University of Prince Edward Island, will be honoured during the 2006 Convocation ceremonies to take place on May 13. In recognition of his outstanding service from 1996 to 2005, and his ongoing commitment to the University, he will be receive the distinguished title of Chancellor Emeritus.

"UPEI uses the title of Chancellor Emeritus to honour people who have served our University and to acknowledge their support. Norman Webster has exemplified this role in an extraordinary way," says Regis Duffy, Chair of the UPEI Board of Governors.

"It is fitting for the University to honour Norman Webster as Chancellor Emertius, given his exceptional commitment and service," says President Wade MacLauchlan. "As Chancellor, he worked steadily and generously to promote and support UPEI, including through the Webster Smart Campus Fund and the establishment of the Webster Centre for Teaching and Learning."

Norman Webster is President of the R. Howard Webster Foundation of Montreal. He has had a distinguished career in journalism, including terms as editor-in-chief of The Globe and Mail and The Montreal Gazette. As a journalist for The Globe and Mail, he was a correspondent in Peking, London, Ottawa, and Quebec. He won two national newspaper awards for coverage of China's "ping-pong diplomacy" and for editorial writing. A graduate of Bishop's University, Webster was the recipient of a Rhodes scholarship to St. John's College at Oxford. He was born in Summerside, PEI and grew up in Sherbrooke, Quebec. He and his wife Pat Webster now make their home in Montreal.

The University of Prince Edward Island is pleased to announce that it will confer five honorary degrees at two 2006 Convocations to take place on Saturday, May 13. The honorary graduates will be Elaine Campbell, Suzanne Land#233;vesque, David W. Rodd, Joseph Fenwick (Fen) Watkin, and Patterson (Pat) Webster. Pat Webster will deliver Convocation address in the morning and Elaine Campbell will deliver the afternoon address.

"Our 2006 recipients are excellent role models for our graduates. By honouring the outstanding achievements of these five individuals, and their connections to Prince Edward Island and UPEI, we honour our entire community," says UPEI President Wade MacLauchlan.

Elaine Campbell, lyricist and mother of five, is an exemplary artist and arts patron. Her first glimpse of PEI was from the air while serving with the Royal Canadian Air Force during World War Two. In 1965, she returned as one of the lyricists to attend the world premiere of "Anne of Green Gables, the Musical" written by Donald Harron, with music composed by Norman Campbell. This production has played every summer for forty years on the Confederation Centre stage, has toured across Canada many times, and played in London, New York, and Tokyo. Elaine Campbell has written lyrics for three other musicals as well, which represents one of the highest accomplishments among musical theatre writers in Canada. She was also a writer and lyricist for The Karen Kane Superspecial, Christmas at Rideau Hall, and two royal galas. As Chair of the Coordinated Arts Services in Toronto, she founded an archive program for the five major performing arts groups in Ontario and she served for many years on the board of the National Ballet of Canada. She is a graduate of the University of British Columbia.

Suzanne Land#233;vesque has been President of the Fondation J.-Louis Land#233;vesque since 1982. In honour of her parents, the Foundation has established ten Jeanne and J.-Louis Land#233;vesque research chairs in medicine and bursary funds at universities in Quand#233;bec, and a chair in business management at Universitand#233; de Moncton. At UPEI, a $1.5 million gift from the Foundation has supported two research professorships in Nutrisciences and Health. This combines with earlier gifts providing matching funds for CFI grants, and with support from the Land#233;vesque family going back to the construction of the Alumni Gym in 1950. Suzanne Land#233;vesque has served on the boards of governors at Lakefield College School in Ontario and at Universitand#233; de Moncton, among others. She is governor emeritus at Universitand#233; de Montrand#233;al. In 1998, she was granted an Honorary Doctorate in Humanities from Universitand#233; de Moncton. She was awarded the Order of Canada in 2004. Her father, the late J.-Louis Land#233;vesque, was a graduate of St. Dunstan's University. He completed his BA studies in 1934, and was granted an Honorary Doctor of Laws degree by SDU in 1964.

David W. Rodd was born in 1940. From his early days, he assisted his parents in the operation of the family tourist business that they started from two cabins in Winsloe, PEI in 1935. He graduated from Mount Allison University in 1962 with a Bachelor of Arts degree and returned to the family business in 1966. Under his leadership, it has grown into the largest privately-owned hotel chain in Atlantic Canada. David Rodd has dedicated much of his life to being a leader in the development of the hospitality industry in PEI and throughout Atlantic Canada. At peak season, Rodd Hotels and Resorts employ 1000 people at 11 properties. He has been active in community organizations, including serving as Chair of the Heart Fund Campaign for the PEI Division of the Canadian Heart Foundation, as a board member of the PEI Division of the Canadian Cancer Society, and Honorary Chair of Big Brothers/Big Sisters. He has been President of the PEI Tourist Association and a director of the Tourist Industry Association of Canada.

Joseph Fenwick (Fen) Watkin was born in Toronto; his grandfather, Frederick Henry Knight was born in Charlottetown. Watkin is a virtuoso pianist and a highly accomplished arranger, conductor and musical director who has been involved in more than 200 original Canadian productions. The Toronto Symphony, CBC variety shows and community theatre projects have all benefited from his talents. He served the Charlottetown Festival for 40 years; 12 years as Associate Music Director and 28 years as Music Director. He worked for 26 years as Music Director for Kitchener-Waterloo Musical Productions. He has been strongly supportive of musical, artistic, and theatrical initiatives in PEI, including recitals at St. Peter's Cathedral, UPEI, and Indian River Church. Recognizing the wealth of musical talent present in PEI, Fen Watkin worked to ensure that Islanders would have equal opportunity in employment with the Charlottetown Festival orchestra and cast. As a mentor and coach, he has inspired generations of amateur and professional performers. He was awarded the Order of Canada in 2005.

Patterson (Pat) Webster is a gifted advocate, organizer and enabler. She is an exemplary supporter of education and culture and has been entrusted with large fund-raising projects for educational institutions and ventures because she is persuasively passionate about learning. Pat Webster is the wife of Norman Webster, former Chancellor of UPEI. She was a gracious and powerful part of his highly successful chancellorship of the University and she has proved herself a shining advocate for Canadian university culture and work, literacy and language. She was founding President of Canadian Parents for French, for which she received France's Ordre National du Mand#233;rite, Chair of the Society for Educational Visits and Exchanges in Canada, a leading spirit of Montreal Blue Metropolis Literary Festival, a board member of the Stratford Festival, and has been active in many other community and philanthropic endeavours.

Honorary Degrees to be awarded to Suzanne Land#233;vesque and Patterson (Pat) Webster during the morning Convocation, and will be awarded to Elaine Campbell, David Rodd, and Joseph Fenwick Watkin at the afternoon Convocation.

A Nova Scotia family well known for its commitment to quality and integrity in business has created a new student scholarship at UPEI. A $100,000 endowment from the John and Judy Bragg Family Foundation will allow the University to award $2,500 every year to a student entering the Bachelor of Business in Tourism and Hospitality Degree program.

The two-year renewable award will be known as the David W. Rodd Scholarship in Tourism and Hospitality. It honours PEI businessman David W. Rodd who has dedicated much of his life to being a leader in the development of the hospitality industry in PEI and throughout Atlantic Canada. David Rodd will receive an honorary degree from UPEI on May 13.

"It is great that UPEI is recognizing David Rodd. David is a tremendous entrepreneur. He has provided exceptional leadership to the tourist industry of PEI, as well as being a community leader. On top of this, he has been a true friend to many," says John Bragg.

From his early days, David Rodd assisted his parents in the operation of the family tourist business that they started from two cabins in Winsloe, in 1935. He graduated from Mount Allison University in 1962 with a BA and returned to the family business in 1966. Under his leadership, it has grown into the largest privately-owned hotel chain in Atlantic Canada. At peak season, Rodd Hotels and Resorts employ 1000 people at 11 properties. Rodd has also been active in community organizations, including serving as chair of the Heart Fund Campaign for the PEI Division of the Canadian Heart Foundation, as a board member of the PEI Division of the Canadian Cancer Society, and honorary chair of Big Brothers/Big Sisters. He has been president of the PEI Tourist Association and a director of the Tourist Industry Association of Canada.

"We are delighted to have this award recognizing business and community leadership established in honour of David Rodd," says UPEI President Wade MacLauchlan. "We look forward to students being the beneficiaries of this scholarship, through which the Braggs demonstrate their well-known support for Maritime universities and their lifelong friendship with David Rodd."

The Bragg family is the majority shareholder in all companies operating under the EastLink name. EastLink provides communication services to business and residential customers across the Maritimes. The family also has interests in a variety of Maritime companies in a range of industries, including agri-products such as wild blueberries and frozen vegetables, real estate, and forestry.

The UPEI Bachelor of Business in Tourism and Hospitality degree program is a joint program with Holland College. The David W. Rodd Scholarship will be awarded to a student who has performed well academically in the first two years of the program, shows combined qualities of leadership and contribution to the community, and demonstrates capacity to enhance the tourism and hospitality industry. The first award will be made in September 2006.

Applications will be received through the UPEI Registrar's Office in May. The recipients will be determined by the UPEI Admissions, Scholarship, and Degree Committee, with input from the Dean of the School of Business.

Since 2001, the number of named scholarships, bursaries, awards, and prizes at UPEI has increased by almost 50 per cent and many other student awards have increased in value through the generous support of businesses, individuals, and families.