Kevin Ryan, a clinical nursing instructor and graduate student in the UPEI Faculty of Nursing, will present “Nursing Stories and Songs” in the Dr. Steel Recital Hall, Steel Building, UPEI, on Wednesday, April 23, 2025, at 4:00 pm and 8:00 pm.

A tribute to the nursing profession, the show includes personal stories and original songs written and performed by Ryan. It includes themes familiar to nurses such as death, suicidal ideation, horizontal violence, and judgment, as well as reflections on the causes of compassion fatigue and burnout in nurses.

The show is intended for nurses, but anyone is welcome to attend. There is no charge for tickets. Seats will be available on a first-come, first-served basis.

Nurses in attendance will be offered an opportunity to participate in a research study as part of Ryan’s thesis for his Master of Nursing program. This involves completing an anonymous online questionnaire following the event. Participation is voluntary, and audience members do not have to be part of the study to attend the show.

In the case of inclement weather, the two performances will be rescheduled to Thursday, April 24, at 4:00 pm and 8:00 pm.

To learn more about Ryan, visit his website.

Convocation exercises are being held from May 13 to 16, at 10:00 am each day at the Chi-Wan Young Sports Centre. Each ceremony is preceded by a procession of graduates across campus. 

• May 13—Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Faculty of Nursing
• May 14—McDougall Faculty of Business and Faculty of Sustainable Design Engineering 
• May 15—Faculty of Arts, Faculty of Education, and Faculty of Graduate Studies 
• May 16—Faculty of Science 

Faculty members who have regalia and wish to participate in the Academic Procession are asked to line up with the graduates in the Faculty of Sustainable Design Engineering building concourse 45 minutes before each ceremony.  

For those faculty members who would like to order regalia online through UPEI’s official gown supplier, GradCo, they are encouraged to do so ASAP at https://www.gradco.ca/upei/

The deadline for ordering is Wednesday, April 23, at 11:59 pm.  

Any faculty members who wish to purchase their regalia may contact GradCo at info@gradco.ca for information.  

In order to accommodate UPEI computer classroom and lab software adds, drops, or modifications for the 2025 fall semester, we have set a firm deadline of June 1, 2025.

It is critical that you email requests to smahar@upei.ca by the date above indicating the following.

• New Software Requirements (Licensed or Freeware).  Provide both Software name and Vendor
• Version Upgrades to existing software. Are multiple versions required? If yes, please provide specifics
• Software that can be decommissioned

NOTE:

• Software must be Windows 11 compatible
• Software must be licensed as network installation. Single workstation installations cannot be accommodated

Please begin to obtain and prepare any installation media (CD’s, DVD’s, thumb drives etc.) and related licensing information such as serial numbers. I will contact you after reviewing your email requests to coordinate a time to drop off media if file size permits, upload the installation file(s), zip them, if necessary, to Google drive and share for download.

Please do not drop off any media to the ITSS Help Desk.

The June 1, 2025 deadline is necessary to allow sufficient time to plan and implement the installation of new and upgraded software. This ensures our students will have the software resources they need. Any requests received after the deadline will be applied in the next round of software updates.

Click on the link below for a list of the currently installed software and their versions installed in the student labs and classrooms on campus.

UPEI LAB AND CLASSROOM SOFTWARE

CALLING UPEI EDUCATORS 

The Department of Diversity and Social Justice Studies, the Dean of Arts, and the Teaching and Learning Centre invite you to a half-day workshop on Friday, April 25 from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm (location TBA): Strengthening Interdisciplinary Culture Through Faculty Collaboration

The workshop invites UPEI instructors from across the university to help pilot a new model for enhancing interdisciplinary culture through collaborative curriculum design. The session is divided into two parts:

9:00–10:30 am | From DIRT to LUST: Lessons from a Decade of Interdisciplinary Innovation
Dr. Renée Valiquette (UPEI) and Dr. Sal Renshaw (Nipissing University) will share insights gleaned from a decade of delivering interdisciplinary concept courses. Their presentation will introduce a suite of strategies for crafting transformative interdisciplinary curricula. 

11:00 am–1:00 pm | Experiment in Co-Design
In the second segment, Renée and Sal will invite participants to help pilot an innovative model—adapted from their interdisciplinary undergraduate work—of collaborative curriculum design aimed at cultivating a deeper interdisciplinary culture among faculty. 

Everyone interested in building interdisciplinary cultures on campus in welcome to join! 

For more information and to register, please contact Renée Valiquette (DSJS) at rvaliquette@upei.ca. 

University of Prince Edward Island is hosting Canadian Bureau for International Education (CBIE) 2025 Atlantic Regional Meeting in Charlottetown June 26 to 27. This event will focus on the future of international education through a series of sessions, roundtables and networking activities.

CBIE’s Atlantic Regional Meeting is an annual gathering of international education practitioners. It is an opportunity to share knowledge and resources and keep abreast of immigration and other changes in the sector. It also serves as an annual networking event for international education practitioners and is a precursor to the national conference held each November.

Registration is now open for the CBIE Atlantic Regional Meeting.

The ninth meeting of the UPEI Senate will take place on Friday, May 2, 2025, from 3:00 to 5:00 pm in Room 102 at Alumni Hall (618 University Avenue). To view the 2024-2025 calendar of Senate meetings or documents for the upcoming meeting, click here.

All meetings are open to members of the University community, although certain in-camera items (e.g., granting of degrees) may require the Senate to go into a closed session. Only members of Senate are permitted to address the Senate unless otherwise recognized by the chair. 

For logistical purposes, members of the UPEI community who wish to attend the open session of a UPEI Senate meeting are asked to contact senate@upei.ca one week prior to the meeting. While Senate is an in-person meeting, members of the University community may request a virtual connection when they are unable to attend in person. 

The ACENET Embedded Technical Support program is designed to assist researchers in any discipline at Atlantic Canadian post-secondary institutions to adopt or improve their use of advanced computing techniques and resources in their research.

These tools have the potential to accelerate discovery in almost any discipline. However, the expertise necessary to optimize code, successfully migrate workflows from a desktop to an HPC cluster, build a cloud platform, or simply explore the capabilities and benefits of advanced computing may not be readily available, especially in smaller projects.

This program pairs our technical experts with innovative projects that have high potential for success and impact and require advanced computing resources, programming support, and/or in-depth technical expertise. Some examples of areas we can help are

• code parallelization and performance optimization for HPC systems 
• scientific or data visualization
• data analytics
• workflow migration from the desktop to a cluster
• applying research data management practices
• tailored training

Successful projects under this program are able to access focused and dedicated support from one to two of ACENET’s research consultants for a period of two to four months. During this period, the ACENET staff member will spend up to 50 per cent of their time working on the project.

The current call is open from 14 April until 18 May 2025.

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us at applications@ace-net.ca.

More information and submission form: https://ace-net.ca/consulting-support.html 

It is with a mix of gratitude and bittersweet emotion that we announce the retirement of Dana Sanderson, CIO, and Blair Vessey, Associate CIO, from IT Systems and Services.

Both Dana and Blair have been essential pillars of our team, and their outstanding contributions have made a lasting impact on our department and the organization as a whole. Dana and Blair's expertise, leadership, and camaraderie will be deeply missed, but we are excited for them as they embark on this well-deserved new chapter. We wish them all the best in their retirement and hope they find joy, relaxation, and the opportunity to pursue personal passions in the years ahead.

Please join us in celebrating Dana and Blair’s remarkable careers at a special gathering in the AVC Learning Commons on Friday, April 25, at 2:30 pm. 

Dr. Daphne Esquivel-Sada, a candidate for the Sociology position at UPEI, is currently a Lecturer in Sociology at the Université du Québec à Montréal. Her research focuses on the sociology of science and technology, biotechnology, and the environmental humanities. She has published in Technology in Society, Healthcare Policy, Journal of Community Genetics, Journal International de Bioéthique, among others. 

The title of Dr. Esquivel-Sada’s talk is: "BioTechdiversity : Conserving Colonialism in the Climate Change Era.” 

Tuesday, April 22, 2025, at 11:00 am, SDU Main Building, Room 211. 

Kevin Ryan, a clinical nursing instructor and graduate student in the UPEI Faculty of Nursing, will present “Nursing Stories and Songs” in the Dr. Steel Recital Hall, Steel Building, UPEI, on Wednesday, April 23, 2025, at 4:00 pm and 8:00 pm.

A tribute to the nursing profession, the show includes personal stories and original songs written and performed by Ryan. It includes themes familiar to nurses such as death, suicidal ideation, horizontal violence, and judgment, as well as reflections on the causes of compassion fatigue and burnout in nurses.

The show is intended for nurses, but anyone is welcome to attend. There is no charge for tickets. Seats will be available on a first-come, first-served basis.

Nurses in attendance will be offered an opportunity to participate in a research study as part of Ryan’s thesis for his Master of Nursing program. This involves completing an anonymous online questionnaire following the event. Participation is voluntary, and audience members do not have to be part of the study to attend the show.

In the case of inclement weather, the two performances will be rescheduled to Thursday, April 24, at 4:00 pm and 8:00 pm.

To learn more about Ryan, visit his website.

Convocation exercises are being held from May 13 to 16, at 10:00 am each day at the Chi-Wan Young Sports Centre. Each ceremony is preceded by a procession of graduates across campus. 

• May 13—Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Faculty of Nursing
• May 14—McDougall Faculty of Business and Faculty of Sustainable Design Engineering 
• May 15—Faculty of Arts, Faculty of Education, and Faculty of Graduate Studies 
• May 16—Faculty of Science 

Faculty members who have regalia and wish to participate in the Academic Procession are asked to line up with the graduates in the Faculty of Sustainable Design Engineering building concourse 45 minutes before each ceremony.  

For those faculty members who would like to order regalia online through UPEI’s official gown supplier, GradCo, they are encouraged to do so ASAP at https://www.gradco.ca/upei/

The deadline for ordering is Wednesday, April 23, at 11:59 pm.  

Any faculty members who wish to purchase their regalia may contact GradCo at info@gradco.ca for information.  

In order to accommodate UPEI computer classroom and lab software adds, drops, or modifications for the 2025 fall semester, we have set a firm deadline of June 1, 2025.

It is critical that you email requests to smahar@upei.ca by the date above indicating the following.

• New Software Requirements (Licensed or Freeware).  Provide both Software name and Vendor
• Version Upgrades to existing software. Are multiple versions required? If yes, please provide specifics
• Software that can be decommissioned

NOTE:

• Software must be Windows 11 compatible
• Software must be licensed as network installation. Single workstation installations cannot be accommodated

Please begin to obtain and prepare any installation media (CD’s, DVD’s, thumb drives etc.) and related licensing information such as serial numbers. I will contact you after reviewing your email requests to coordinate a time to drop off media if file size permits, upload the installation file(s), zip them, if necessary, to Google drive and share for download.

Please do not drop off any media to the ITSS Help Desk.

The June 1, 2025 deadline is necessary to allow sufficient time to plan and implement the installation of new and upgraded software. This ensures our students will have the software resources they need. Any requests received after the deadline will be applied in the next round of software updates.

Click on the link below for a list of the currently installed software and their versions installed in the student labs and classrooms on campus.

UPEI LAB AND CLASSROOM SOFTWARE

Ms. Yasmin Koop-Monteiro is a candidate for the Sociology position at UPEI and a PhD candidate (ABD) in Sociology at the University of British Columbia. Her research focuses on social movements, climate change, environmental sociology, social network analysis, discourse analysis, and animal studies.

She has published in Energy Research & Social Science, Canadian Journal of Criminology and Criminal Justice, Environmental Sociology, among others.

The title of Ms. Koop-Monteiro’s talk is: "The Influence of Human & Nonhuman Network Ties on High-Risk/Cost Animal Advocacy."

Friday, April 25, 2025, at 11:00 am, in SDU Main Building, Room 211.

PhD in Environmental Sciences

Presenter: Ryan Guild

Title of the Thesis: "Nesting in a Changing Climate: Investigating Climate-Driven Risks, Habitat Change, and Management Strategies for Piping Plovers"

"Coastal nesting birds face intensifying threats from climate and human-induced stressors that transform habitats and nesting conditions far beyond historical precedents. One such species is the Atlantic Coast piping plover (PIPL; Charadrius melodus melodus), among North America’s most endangered shorebird, which nests in dynamic, exposed shoreline environments where multiple stressors can severely undermine productivity and survival. In this thesis, I investigate how climate-related stressors, habitat change, and management strategies shape nesting outcomes for a key sub-unit of the Eastern Canadian PIPL population on Prince Edward Island (PEI). Through a comprehensive review of climate change impacts on coastal ecosystems, I first demonstrate how factors such as sea-level rise, storms, warming temperatures, and changes in freshwater availability are reshaping habitat conditions for coastal biota. With this knowledge, I develop a spatiotemporal model to identify key environmental correlates of PIPL nesting success on PEI, including positive effects of maximum temperature (to date), diminished success with later nesting, and lower hatchability near high-recreation areas. A case study of habitat changes following a record-setting fall hurricane – informed by satellite imagery and geospatial analyses – revealed that although the storm created new nesting habitat, PIPL largely returned to their pre-existing nesting areas in the first post-storm season. Consequently, nest failures from flooding increased, yet overall productivity remained high – largely thanks to a single, remote nesting site that continues to subsidise otherwise low productivity rates on the island. A systematic review of management strategies across the Atlantic Coast is then undertaken, which reveals few targeted measures to address threats from nest flooding or severe weather events, despite their growing significance. Finally, I evaluate the roles of tidal, lunar, and wind dynamics in nest flooding and propose a proof-of-concept forecasting tool that integrates nest coordinates, topographical data, and tidal information to alert managers to imminent flood risks. Overall, this research advances knowledge of both environmental and anthropogenic influences on PIPL breeding dynamics and highlights key management interventions that may be necessary to support productivity and population recovery on PEI amid a rapidly changing coastal environment."

April 22, 2025, 1:00 pm via web conferencing

If you wish to attend the public presentation, please contact the Graduate Studies Coordinator at gsc@upei.ca to receive the link.

Everyone is welcome.

Art-Based Pedagogy has roots in both Education and Psychology. It can also be a very powerful tool for emotional debriefing to build resilience in undergraduate nursing students. Using Art-Based assignments can compliment traditional teaching methodologies in preparation for real-world holistic practice. Art can help students reconstruct knowledge - which can strengthen their experiences and creativity. Join us in viewing Art-Based projects from a Nursing Ethics course, linking their lived nursing experiences to ethical issues in everyday practice on May 21, at 12:00 pm, in the Teaching and Learning Centre - Robertson Library Annex, Room 230.

The University of Prince Edward Island’s Faculty of Sustainable Design Engineering (FSDE) will showcase the best in sustainable design engineering by its students at the annual Student Design Expo on Tuesday, April 22 starting at 1 pm. Projects can be viewed through the afternoon until 3:30 pm. Student projects will be presented in person. Each project is the result of collaboration between FSDE students and an industry or community partner. Students were tasked with designing and creating solutions to their partners’ unique challenges. 

We look forward to seeing everyone.

The Department of Psychology, Faculty of Arts, invites all to attend Joy Nnadi's public dissertation defense presentation of her PsyD research titled: “Value Congruence, Identity, Adaptation and Well-being in Immigrants to Canada: An Exploratory Study on their Relationships”. 

Date and Time: April 22, 2025 at 3:00 pm 
Location: Memorial Hall, Room 104

This 2-day workshop is designed to immerse participants in the world of AI. It is aimed at students and professionals interested in discovering and applying Machine Learning (ML) and Deep Learning (DL) techniques. Day 1 dives into the fundamentals of ML. In Day 2, we explore advanced DL techniques. Understand the key concepts and algorithms of ML, participate in practical sessions to strengthen your skills, and obtain a globally recognized NVIDIA certification for Fundamentals of Deep Learning. Prerequisites: Basic computer skills, statistics, basic programming in Python.

This two-day virtual workshop will be held on April 23 from 9:00 am to 12:00 pm and April 24, from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm. To register, go to https://www.acenet.training/courses

UPEI Procurement Services is currently taking bids on a used Steinway 6ft grand piano. 

Bids are being accepted in the University's e-tendering portal Bonfire until April 23, 2025, at 2:00 pm. This portal requires you to register by creating a username and password as your UPEI credentials are not connected to this system. When registering for the Bonfire portal, please put your name in the vendor name and contact name fields. You can access the information about this opportunity at https://upei.bonfirehub.ca/projects/91908/details

If you require assistance, please email tenders@upei.ca

Dr. Daphne Esquivel-Sada, a candidate for the Sociology position at UPEI, is currently a Lecturer in Sociology at the Université du Québec à Montréal. Her research focuses on the sociology of science and technology, biotechnology, and the environmental humanities. She has published in Technology in Society, Healthcare Policy, Journal of Community Genetics, Journal International de Bioéthique, among others. 

The title of Dr. Esquivel-Sada’s talk is: "BioTechdiversity : Conserving Colonialism in the Climate Change Era.” 

Tuesday, April 22, 2025, at 11:00 am, SDU Main Building, Room 211.