The Government of Canada today announced $2 million in funding as a capital contribution toward the development of the National Research Council Institute for Nutrisciences and Health (NRC-INH) on the University of Prince Edward Island (UPEI) campus.

Within the facility, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) scientists and technicians will collaborate with UPEI and NRC scientists to identify and refine naturally occurring compounds from plant, animal and marine life that can benefit human and animal health.

"For UPEI, this new collaboration builds on our already strong ties with AAFC - a key partner in many research and development initiatives of UPEI and our faculty of veterinary medicine, the Atlantic Veterinary College," said Dr. Katherine Schultz, Vice President Research Development at UPEI. "As well, this collaboration will augment the benefits of the established and ongoing research initiatives of UPEI's Atlantic Canada Network on Bioactive Compounds and the Centre for Bioresource Innovation."

"Canada's new government is committed to supporting research that benefits health and wellness and generate new opportunities for our agriculture and agri-food sector," said the Honourable Peter MacKay, Minister of Foreign Affairs on behalf of Chuck Strahl, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada and Minister for the Canadian Wheat Board. "This is an exciting collaboration in a market of enormous potential."

Under the agreement, up to14 AAFC employees will be located in the new facility by 2009. The research will increase Canada's ability to produce food and other products that benefit the nutrition and health of humans and animals. The AAFC team will contribute to the identification of bioactive molecules and will help develop sustainable production systems for these new products that will be of higher value.

"With Agriculture and Agriand#8209;Food Canada on board, research will span the full continuum, from discovery to commercialization," said National Research Council President Dr. Pierre Coulombe "It will start with the discovery and extraction of important bioactive compounds found in renewable resources, continue with research into the role they play in human and animal health, and on to the sustainable production of new crops and commercialization of functional foods and nutraceuticals."

The market for nutraceuticals and functional foods is being driven by a growing consumer understanding of the links between nutrition and health and advances in natural health treatments.

The Government of Canada and the University of Prince Edward Island are part of a growing biotechnology community in Prince Edward Island that includes, among others, the PEI Food Technology Centre, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency's Centre for Animal and Plant Health and 20 private biotechnology companies with estimated annual revenues of $60 million.

PEI will now be home to a one-stop resource for tourism information and market intelligence thanks to the creation of a new Tourism Research Centre. The Tourism Research Centre will increase Prince Edward Island's tourism research capacity and help industry stakeholders take full advantage of tourism research findings. The centre will operate as an independent agency located within the University of Prince Edward Island (UPEI) School of Business.

"The creation of the centre is very timely," said Roberta MacDonald, Dean of Business. "One of our objectives is to work with the industry to focus on the most pressing questions tourism operators are facing today. After analyzing new and existing data, a new data processing method will be created and will become a vital resource for tourism decision-makers as they develop long term strategies."

An initiative of the School of Business at the University and the Tourism Advisory Council, the Centre has received financial support from the Government of Canada and the Province of Prince Edward Island.

"Canada's New Government is pleased to work with the provincial government and the industry to create the Tourism Research Centre," said the Honourable Peter MacKay, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Minister of the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA). "In an ever-evolving tourism industry, the market intelligence available at the centre will provide industry professionals with important knowledge and expertise."

Researchers at the centre will study and develop tourism practices and strategies, and will provide recommendations to the local tourism industry. The research will help industry members develop forward-thinking strategies to further promote PEI as a premiere tourism destination In addition to providing industry-specific information, the centre will also provide various learning opportunities for tourism operators.

Honourable Philip Brown, Minister of Tourism, commented, "We're pleased to see the Tourism Research Centre come to fruition after all of our consultation and work with the industry for a stand-alone research facility dedicated to tourism research." He added, "Our five-year plan is centred on detailed research intended to guide the development of our tourism product and marketing plans. The work of the Tourism Research Centre will be key to the industry's continued evolution."

Two positions have already been filled at the Tourism Research Centre. Sebastian Manago, an expert in new product development and relationship marketing, will work as the Research Manager. Dongkoo Yun, a tourism management specialist, has been named the centre's Data Manager. The centre's website is currently being developed and is expected to be launched in October.

"The Tourism Research Centre will become a leader in industry research on PEI," said Kevin Murphy, Chair of the Research Committee of the PEI Tourism Advisory Council. "The centre will build partnerships on and off the Island and I am confident that we will benefit from the wealth of experience available through existing tourism research institutions in various areas of the world."

Through its Business Development Program, ACOA will contribute $201,400 for the creation of the Tourism Research Centre. The Department of Tourism will contribute $60,000. UPEI will provide an in-kind contribution of $85,000.

This year UPEI is celebrating 50 years of international students. In 1956, four students from Hong Kong came to PEI to study. International students have been an integral part of UPEI's campus life and the PEI community. With a large group of new international students entering UPEI this year, there is an opportunity for the PEI community to actively welcome and support these students from around the world.

The Lieutenant Governor of Prince Edward Island is leading an initiative to match families with international students at UPEI. There are currently 54 students from 20 countries who are new to the university this Fall. The majority are visiting Canada for the first time. They are often overwhelmed and homesick. For a successful first year they need to feel connected. The Lieutenant Governor, in partnership with UPEI, is putting a call out to PEI families to serve as ambassador families to these students.

"My husband and I are very much looking forward to acting as an ambassador family for six international students and we encourage other Island families to embrace this idea," says Honourable Barbara A. Hagerman.

Each ambassador family will be asked to meet the student and invite him/her home at least three times a year. It will also be helpful to connect with the student every few weeks during their first year at UPEI. There will be a gathering arranged for all families during the school year, as a thank you for serving as a ambassador families.

Heather and Brian Howat of Charlottetown assumed an unofficial role as an ambassador family to a Kenyan student three years ago, assisting him to overcome many of the challenges that result from being far from home and experiencing a new country and culture for the first time. This student is now completing his fourth year as an Economics major and hopes to settle in PEI.

"The experience has been a very rewarding one for our family and we have easily gained as much or more from this shared experience as he has," says Heather.

Being an ambassador family provides an opportunity for PEI residents to welcome a student to the province, learn about another country, and support a student's success. The experience of international students recruited to study at UPEI will be enhanced significantly by this opportunity to connect with the larger PEI community, resulting in a positive contribution to their academic success and overall satisfaction.

If you are interested in being an ambassador family please contact Joy Ikede, UPEI International Student Advisor, at jikede@upei.ca or 894-2823.

UPEI Mathematics students brought home three of four top prizes from the Atlantic Provinces Council on the Sciences (APICS) 30th annual Mathematics, Statistics and Computer Science Conference hosted recently by Cape Breton University.

The annual APICS conference brings together top Mathematics, Statistics and Computer Science students from Atlantic universities to present their own research to peers and faculty. In addition, students are able to participate in either a Mathematics or Computer Programming competition.

Brodie Champion of Cornwall and Allan Stewart of Brackley Beach teamed up to take first place in the Mathematics competition. Although UPEI has placed in the top three at previous competitions, this is the first time in the conference's history that UPEI students have carried off the top prize. Brodie Champion is a 4th year Honours Mathematics student and Alan Stewart is a 4th year Honours student, double-majoring in Mathematics and Physics. Both hope to pursue graduate studies next year. They are graduates of the UPEI summer Math Camp, hosted annually for PEI high school students interested in mathematics.

Marcus Trenton of Charlottetown was awarded first place for the best Computer Science Presentation in the Research Category. He also tied for first for the best Mathematics and Statistics Presentation in the Communication and Research category. The 4th year Honours student is double-majoring in Mathematics and Statistics and Computer Science and Information Technology. He intends to pursue graduate studies next year.

"The UPEI faculties of Mathematics and Statistics and Computer Science and Information Technology are proud of their students and congratulate them on a job very well done," says Mathematics and Statistics Chair, Dan Ryan. Professor Ryan accompanied the students to the APICS competition in Sydney.

Island native David Hickey will launch his first poetry collection, In the Lights of a Midnight Plow, published by Biblioasis, on Thursday, November 9, at 7:30 p.m., in the Faculty Lounge, Main Building, at UPEI. The public is invited to celebrate the emergence of this talented writer on the Canadian literary scene. The launch is hosted by the UPEI English Department.

David grew up on PEI, in western Labrador, and along the north shore of Quebec. Also an athlete, he was a member of the PEI provincial junior basketball team. He graduated in 2000 with a B.A. Hons. in English from UPEI, and earned an M.A. in Creative Writing and English from the University of New Brunswick.

His poetry has been awarded the Milton Acorn Prize and the Ralph Gustafson Prize, and in 2005 he received the prestigious international Petra Kenney Poetry Prize. His poetry has appeared in magazines and journals across Canada and the United States.

His poetry ranges from life on PEI, for example, "Channel Markers," "The Field's Afterthoughts," and "Evening at the Charlottetown Airport," where "my grandfather / watches another plane bring its wheels / to his farm," to "House Fire" and "The Afterlives of [baseball legend] Ted Williams," who spent his retirement fishing in the Miramachi.

An avid runner and backyard astronomer, he now lives in Johnston's River.

"Fast Optimization of the Radiation Therapy of Tumours- the Impossible Possible" is the title of a presentation by Dr. Pedro Goldman taking place at UPEI on Thursday, November 9, from 2:30 pm to 3:30 pm in the Duffy Amphitheatre. Interested members of the public are welcome to attend.

Dr. Goldman is Director of the Graduate Program in Biomedical Physics and Chair of the Physics Department at Ryerson University in Toronto. His presentation will examine alternatives to the current practice of treating cancer tumours with large doses of radiation administered five days a week for six or seven weeks.

The delivery of radiation during this period of time is based on a single set of CT images obtained before the treatment starts. Dr. Goldman will explain why he believes this is not an ideal situation. He will discuss an important advancement in radiation therapy that is unavailable today called adaptive radiation therapy, which is the ability to redesign the radiation treatment at the time of each (daily)delivery by obtaining updated CT images of the patient and re-planning the treatment to adapt to any displacement or deformation of the tumours or other organs. Adaptive radiotherapy is one of the most sought-after goals in present day radiation therapy research.

Dr. Goldman will discuss this crucial challenge in cancer treatment research and the role of physicists in its solution. In particular, he will examine a new method of radiation therapy called FIDO that is expected to help make adaptive radiation therapy possible.

Rima Mananta, an indigenous Indonesian community leader, and Inda Fatinaware, a long-time environmental campaigner with Friends of the Earth Indonesia will arrive in Atlantic Canada next week to bear witness to the decades-long struggle of communities with the Canadian-owned INCO nickel mine and smelter in Sorowako, in the island archipelago of Indonesia.

Presentations on INCO in Indonesia will be given at UPEI on Tuesday, November 7 at 10 am in the Main Building, Room 220, and again at 7 pm at the Atlantic Veterinary College, Lecture Theatre D. Both events are open to the public and free.

"PEI students and the public need to be aware of what our tax dollars are supporting and subsidizing in southern islands. As with our own island, these are places particularly vulnerable to the ecological damages wrought by mining," points out Dr. Irene Novaczek of the Institute of Island Studies. "We encourage the university community and general public to come out to these important and provocative presentations, as there are lessons to be learned for PEI, and a clear need for us to show solidarity with islanders in the south whose rights are being violated through activities that are subsidized by our federal government."

The tour has been organized by MiningWatch Canada, the Indonesian Mining Advocacy Network (JATAM), and the United Steelworkers' Humanity Fund. The Charlottetown leg of the tour is being sponsored by the Institute of Island Studies, CUSO, the Environmental Studies and Sustainability Program of UPEI, and Development and Peace. The focus of Development and Peace for the next two years is to hold Canadian mining companies operating overseas to account for their policies and activities.

Following the east coast tour, the Indonesian women will travel to Montreal to attend the November 14th government roundtable on mining, where they will call on the Canadian government to regulate Canadian mining, oil and gas companies operating overseas.

"Regrettably, Canadian mining has been, and continues to be, linked to grave human rights abuses, pollution, deforestation, violence, and health problems associated with poverty and exposure to toxins," notes Dr. Almut Beringer of the UPEI Environmental Studies and Sustainability Program. "We are happy to be part of the network that has brought the story of INCO in Indonesia to the attention of Canadians and the government."

For further information please contact:

Dr Irene Novaczek

Institute of Island Studies

Ph 566 0386

inovaczek@upei.ca

The UPEI Department of English and the Prince Edward Island Writers' Guild are very pleased to host Dennis Bock for a public reading and reception. The event will be held on Thursday, November 2, at 7:00 at the Reading Well Bookstore, 87 Water Street, Charlottetown.

Dennis will be reading from his new novel, The Communist's Daughter, published in 2006 by Harper Collins Canada. Currently residing in Guelph Ontario, where he lives with his family, Dennis Bock is one of Canada's most exciting contemporary authors. His collection Olympia, won the 1998 Canadian Authors' Association Jubilee Award, the inaugural Danuta Gleed Award for best first collection of stories by a Canadian author and the British Betty Trask Award. His first novel, The Ash Garden, was a #1 national bestseller and was shortlisted for the prestigious 2003 IMPAC Dublin Literary Award and the Amazon.com/Books in Canada First Novel Award.

In The Communist's Daughter, the legendary Canadian Dr. Norman Bethune comes vividly to life, amidst the chaos and destruction of the Japanese invasion of China in the 1930's. As we read Bethune's wrenching letter home to the daughter he left behind, Bock examines the competing demands of political idealism and personal responsibility. Come join the discussion of this captivating new novel and the enigmatic individual whose voice it captures.

UPEI and the City of Charlottetown are teaming up this weekend to present a jam-packed sports schedule at the university that will highlight some of the best student athletes in the province and offer an exciting opportunity for Islanders to show their support.

"We invite the public to come and enjoy an incredible line-up of games and some extra special events as well," says Ron Annear, UPEI Athletic Director. "It's going to be a real celebration of PEI sport and a great opportunity to recognize the partnerships that help our athletes on their way to the top."

The weekend kicks off Friday with the Women's/Men's soccer hosting MtA at 6:30/8:30 pm. At half-time of the women's game there will be special ceremony to honour 2005 CIS Player of the Year Amy Connolly by retiring her Number 8 jersey.

Events continue at 8:20 pm with a ceremony to celebrate the community benefits of the new artificial turf field. Representatives of the City of Charlottetown, UPEI, the PEI Soccer Association and the PEI School Athletic Association will strut their soccer stuff by taking a ceremonial kick on the new turf.

"The partnership between the City and UPEI has given us a top quality surface that enables Charlottetown to host provincial, regional, and national events," says Mayor Clifford Lee. "The playing season has been extended for soccer, field hockey, and football by allowing the sports to gain access to a field earlier in spring and later in the fall. The City of Charlottetown is pleased to have partnered in the construction of the artificial turf field venue, which has enabled us to host a number of sporting events since it opened in October 2005."

At the MacLauchlan Arena, play gets under way at 7:30 pm on Friday when the men's hockey Panthers take on StFx.

The Road to UPEI: PEI School Athletic Provincial Championships get going at 10 am on Saturday with the Senior Women's Soccer Gold event, followed by the Senior A Men's Soccer Gold at noon. Competitions continue in the afternoon with Field Hockey Bronze at 2 pm and Gold at 4 pm. The Senior AA Women's Soccer Gold is scheduled for 6 pm and the Senior AA Men's Soccer Gold kicks off at 8 pm.

There are two Panther hockey games scheduled for Saturday. The women's team plays StFx at 2:30 pm and the men meet Dalhousie at 7:30 pm. On Sunday, the weekend winds up with the women soccer Panthers against UNB at 1 pm, the men's hockey Panthers against Dal at 2:30 pm, and the men's soccer Panthers against UNB at 3 pm.

"It's going to be an amazing weekend and we invite everyone to come out to support sports excellence in the community and at the university," says Ron Annear. For more information on the schedule of events go to upei.ca/athletics.

Dr. Cecilia Moloney, NSERC/Petro-Canada Chair for Women in Science and Engineering for the Atlantic Region, will be speaking at UPEI on Thursday, November 23. Her talk entitled "Thinking Yourself into a Scientist or Engineer" will be followed by an open discussion and refreshments. All interested members of the community are invited to attend. It takes place in the Atlantic Veterinary College Lecture Theatre D beginning at 4:30 pm with a short reception. The presentation begins at 5pm. Dr. Moloney is a professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering at Memorial University of Newfoundland.