* Octonme 12.2008

BMO Contributes $250,000 : Largest Single Gift Ever By a Major Financial Institution

The University of Prince Edward Island (UPEI) today announced a $250,000 donation from BMO Financial Group for Graduate Student Research Scholarships. Jim Quigley, Vice-President, New Brunswick and PEI, BMO Bank of Montreal, was on campus to present the leadership gift, the largest single commitment from a major financial institution in UPEI’s history.

“BMO Financial Group is focused on funding programs that promote learning and research, namely through scholarships that support exceptional young people at universities and colleges both here in Atlantic Canada and across the country,” said Quigley. “This leadership gift continues our longstanding tradition of support to ensure that Canadian students have the programs and resources they need and to stimulate research at leading institutions such as UPEI.”

“Graduate students play an important role at UPEI. We take pride in our students and their research,” says Wade MacLauchlan, President and Vice-Chancellor of UPEI. “We are grateful to BMO for their generous donation which will support our graduate students as they pursue leading research in many areas.”

In Building a Legacy for UPEI and the province, creating research opportunities for graduate students is among the university’s top priorities. Research facilities are being expanded at the Atlantic Veterinary College (AVC) and modernized in the Duffy Science Building to ensure students continue to receive high quality education with up-to-date technology.

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AVC Expansion Project

Stacey Murray Contributor

With all the renovations and expansions of the university, it is hard to keep track of what’s going on at one time. One of the more resent upgrades that was announced is the 32 million dollar AVC expansion project. Just last week, phase one of the AVC expansion began.

Phase one entails a Bioresourse Research Complex, which will be connected to the AVC building at the NRC end. This facility will have 3 floors, and will cover an area of 57,000 square feet. Construction will take place over a two-year period, and will coincide with other phases of the expansion project.

When completed, the building will contain centers of expertise, such as the AVC Lobster Science Centre, the Atlantic Centre for Comparative Biomedical Research, and the AVC Centre for Aquatic Health Sciences. The building will also contain research labs, animal holding space, as well as offices, some of which will used by graduate and post-doctoral students.

Other phases of the project may include expansion of the Veterinary Teaching Hospital, including sections such as Intensive Care, surgery, isolation and exotic animals. Renovations of the Aquatic Animal Holding Facility, as well as the construction of a student learning commons, are also in the works. In total, the expansion will create a total area of 129, 000 square feet of new or renovated space.

There are no set dates for the commencement of these projects as they will be dependant on fundraising and investments.

Two Learning Disabilities Association of Canada Awards for UPEI

Joanne McCabe, Coordinator for Accessibility Services at UPEI for the past five years, has received a Learning Disabilities Association (LDA) of Canada’s National Education Award.

Joanne is an active board member of the PEI Literacy Alliance, LDAPEI, and a public member of the Prince Edward Island Psychologists Registration Board. She was the driving force to re-establish the Learning Disabilities Association in PEI, and has devoted many volunteer hours as a member of the Provincial Joint Working Group Committee on Learning Disabilities. The committee’s report, “Recommendations for Improved Services for Islanders with Learning Disabilities” has been presented to the departments of Education, Health and Social Services, and the Office of the Attorney General.

Keefe Deighan, a student at UPEI, was selected for a Learning Disabilities Association (LDA) of Canada’s Award of Excellence: Beat the Odds Youth Award. He began attending UPEI in September 2002 and is working toward a degree in Religious Studies. He was diagnosed with two learning disabilities in May 2002 in the language processing area, auditory processing and dyslexia. Keefe was the guest speaker at the first- everPEI Literacy Summit held in Charlottetown in November 2004 and has acted as an advocate for young people with learning disabilities. He is currently Vice-President of the Learning Disabilities Association of PEI.

Keefe's university grades are in the 80 to 90 per cent range citation. His citation notes that he “continues beating the odds by having academic success and by making outstanding contributions to his community since being diagnosed with learning disabilities.”

THE CADRE © 4

Community Forest Dialogues October 18-26

The Institute of Island Studies, Cooper Institute, and CUSO invite everyone to a series of interactive public presentations on forestry, featuring local forest stewards and a guest speaker, Santiago Elmudesi from Chiloé Model Forest in Chile. These events are designed to raise awareness concerning community-based forest management and to discuss ways of maintaining and restoring forested land.

Institute of Island Studies Public Lecture: The culture and ecology of Chiloe Island, southern Chile (a presentation by Santiago Elmudesi), October 18, 2:00 - 4:00 pm, AVC Lecture Theatre A, UPEI.

Community Forest Dialogue #1: Indigenous management of forest lands, hosted by the Mi’kmaq Confederacy, October 20, 5:30 pm, Lennox Island Band Office (Conference Room). Supper provided.

Community Forest

Dialogue #2: Indigenous management of forest lands, hosted by the Mi’kmaq Confederacy, October 21, 12:30 pm , Mt Stewart Community Centre. Lunch provided. Community Forest Dialogue #3: Community management of private forest lands, hosted by Woodlot Stewards’ Co-op and Hunter Clyde Watershed Group, October 22, 9:00 am - 12:00 noon and 12:30 - 2:30 pm, New Glasgow Christian Church. Begins with woodlot tours (leaving from church at 9:00 am), lunch at noon (please bring bag lunch; dessert & beverage provided), followed by presentations from local and Chilean forest stewards.

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