Pigot Lecture: a century of French education on PEI

As part of 17勛圖s 50th anniversary, the Robertson Library is presenting a lecture series to celebrate the historical roots of higher education on Prince Edward Island and its future. The series is named after educator Frank Pigot, honoured as a 17勛圖 Founder for his work building the Librarys PEI Collection and University Archives. Historian Georges Arsenault will deliver the third lecture of the series on Tuesday, May 21 at 7:00 pm in the Faculty Lounge of 17勛圖s SDU Main Building. Arsenaults talk is titled Soci矇t矇 Saint-Thomas dAquin and French Education on the Island. The Soci矇t矇 Saint-Thomas dAquin (SSTA), the principal voice of the Acadian and Francophone community of PEI, is 100 years old this year. It was founded in 1919 at the annual convention of the PEI Acadian Teachers Association. Its immediate objective was to collect money for the education of young Acadians, but the overall goal of the SSTA was to see French and Acadian life flourish on the Island. Among the founders of the SSTA and who spearheaded the society for many years were Dr. J. Henri Blanchard, who taught at Prince of Wales College from 1910 to 1948, and Rev. Nazaire Poirier, who was on the teaching staff of Saint Dunstans University from 1912 to 1937. The lecture will focus on the important contribution of the SSTA to French education on the Island over the last century.  A native of Abram-Village, Georges Arsenault lives in Charlottetown. He is the author of many publications on Acadian history and folklore and a well-known lecturer. He is the president of the Sister Antoinette DesRoches Historical Society and was recently made a member of the Order of Canada. Refreshments will be provided. Everyone is welcome.

FSDE Research Seminar: Mechanized Systems for Farm Profitability

Dr. Travis Esau will be presenting a special research seminar on Wednesday, April 17, at 12 noon to 1:00 PM in SDE 205. Dr. Esau has applied for an adjunct faculty appointment in the Faculty of Sustainable Design Engineering. All are welcomed to attend! Title: Mechanized Systems to Increase Farm Profitability, Create Food Security and Improve Environmental Sustainability Speaker: Dr. Travis Esau, Assistant Professor, Mechanized Systems, Department of Engineering, Faculty of Agriculture, Dalhousie University Abstract: Traditional agricultural farming is not sustainable and requires new engineering advancements to remain competitive in both local and global markets. Advanced mechanized systems are required to increase farm efficiency and use environmental resources more effectively. Mechanical harvesting remains the most cost-effective means for picking wild blueberries yet is heavily reliant on operator skill and full automation relies on precise and accurate mechanized systems to remain competitive moving forward. Research is underway to develop an advanced harvest management strategy, improve blueberry fruit quality, increase berry picking efficiency and automate the mechanized harvester using advanced sensors and control systems.

Moving Screening: "The Woman Who Loves Giraffes"

This award-winning documentary tells the story of Canadian scientist Dr. Anne Innis Daag as she traces her 1956 journey to South Africa to study giraffes in the wild. Limited seating, $5 tickets can be purchased at .  This screening opens the Atlantic Connections Conference on Sustaining Women in SETT (ACT attendees can reserve one free ticket). More information and registration to ACT can be found at:   Thursday, May 30, at 6:30 PM in Theatre A, AVC.

2019 Gairdner Lectures at 17勛圖

The 17勛圖 is proud to host the Canada 2018 Gairdner International Award winner for the 2019 Gairdner Lectures. Dr. Davor Solter will deliver a public lecture on Monday, May 6 at 9:30 am in the Faculty Lounge of 17勛圖s SDU Main Building. A second lecture for high school students will take place immediately after at 10:45 am. Dr. Davor Solter is an emeritus member and director of the Max Planck Institute of Immunobiology and Epigenetics. He is a visiting international professor of the Siriraj Center for Excellence in Stem Cell Research, Mahidol University, and a visiting professor at the University of Zagreb Medical School. Together, the work of Dr. Solter and Dr. Azim Surani has contributed to the understanding of the developmental consequences and molecular mechanisms of genomic imprinting, starting the field of epigenetics, the study of heritable changes in gene function without changes in the DNA sequence. In 1984, they released parallel studies that demonstrated the concept of genomic imprinting. All cells in the animal contain two copies of every autosomal gene, one from the mother and one from the father, and in most cases both copies are expressed. However, imprinted genes are expressed only from either the maternally or the paternally inherited copy. Genomic imprinting has widespread roles in mammals, affecting embryonic and placental development and transmission of nutrients to the fetus, and regulating critical aspects of mammalian physiology, such as metabolism, neuronal development and adult behaviour. Extensive research based on this discovery led to the identification of numerous imprinted genes whose alleles are differentially expressed depending on the parent of origin. Faulty imprints can lead to developmental, physiological and behavioural anomalies in mice, and result in diseases in humans. There is growing evidence for the importance of imprinting in disease susceptibility from developmental syndromes like Beckwith-Wiedemann, Angelman and Prader-Willi, to a variety of cancers and neurological disorders and obesity. It also has effects on diverse aspects of mammalian development and physiology, such as stem cells, core body temperature, nutrition and behaviour. All are welcome to the public lecture. High school classes who would like to attend the student lecture may contact Jane Vessey at javessey@upei.ca. The Gairdner Foundation was established in 1957 with the goal of recognizing and rewarding international excellence in fundamental research that impacts human health. Seven awards are given annually: five Canada Gairdner International Awards for biomedical research, one John Dirks Canada Gairdner Global Health Award for impact on global health issues, and one Canada Gairdner Wightman Award, reserved for a Canadian. The Foundation has bestowed 380 awards on laureates from 35 countries; 89 of those recipients have gone on to receive Nobel Prizes.

Girls Get WISE Science and Engineering Retreat

Not too late to register! Girls in grades 7 to 9 are invited to a science and engineering retreat on Friday, May 3, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. This 5th Girls Get WISE Science and Engineering Retreat will give girls a hands-on experience in chemistry, physics, biology, computer science, and engineering through fun workshops. Girls will also meet female role models who are working or studying in the science, engineering, and technology fields. These experiences will help girls make informed decisions about subject choices in their later school years. Register at by Friday, April 26. Space is limited. Cost is $10 which includes lunch. Subsidies may be available upon request. This event is hosted by 17勛圖 with assistance from WISE (Women In Science and Engineering) Atlantic and Engineers PEI.

Playwrights Cabaret & Book Launch

Come celebrate the work of local playwrights with a joint cabaret and book launch on Saturday, April 27th, 7 pm in the Faculty Lounge of the Main Building at the 17勛圖. The PEI wing of PARC (Playwrights Atlantic Resource Centre) and Island Studies Press invite you to readings by Island playwrights and the launch of The Philosopher, a collection of one-act plays by Malcolm Murray. Malcolm teaches Philosophy at 17勛圖. The Cabaret is hosted by PEI PARC members Orysia Dawydiak and Yvette Doucette, with readings by Rob MacDonald, Catherine O'Brien, Nadine Salami, among others. Malcolm Murray and friends will read selections from The Philosopher, which will be available for sale. Doors open at 6:30 pm, with a cash bar and nibblies. Admission is by donation. Comedic, satirical, and at times solemn, The Philosopher showcases the range of human complexity from nonsense to wisdom. Murrays characters range from a philosopher in chains brought up from the basement to entertain guests to a psychologist who assists a traumatized patient to become more self-aware, only to result in greater angst. Provocative, perceptive, and rife with questions about the motives and morality of our everyday conduct, The Philosopher ultimately deals with the search for meaning and our need to believe.  Apart from being a playwright, Malcolm Murray is also a fiction writer and philosopher. His produced plays include Art of Posing (2014), The Abettor (2013), The Philosopher (2012), and Chop Wood, Carry Water (2008). He is the author of five philosophy books including Morals and Consent (2017). Malcolm lives with his wife, a cat, a dog, and recently, though less agreeably, a raccoon. 

17勛圖 Brass and Woodwind Summer Studios 2019

The 17勛圖 Brass and Woodwind Summer Studios 2019 will take place June 24-29 in the Steel Building. This week-long chamber music workshop is an exciting opportunity for motivated young brass and woodwind students aged 14-18 to hone their musicianship, improve their technique, and meet like-minded young musicians. Students take part in individual lessons with 17勛圖 music faculty, enjoy group rehearsals and performances, and participate in creative workshops, all within the welcoming environment of the 17勛圖 Department of Music. Open to flute, clarinet, saxophone, trumpet, French horn, trombone, euphonium, and tuba students. Register online at: Contact Dr. Nicole Strum with any questions at nstrum@upei.ca Join our Facebook Group: 17勛圖 Brass and Woodwind Summer Studios 2019

Bachelor of Integrated Studies (BIS) Open House

17勛圖's Bachelor of Integrated Studies (BIS) program is a 90-credit degree designed to accommodate the personal, educational, and career goals of adult students, most of whom already possess diverse learning and who study part-time. Come find out more about the program! You can: apply to the Bachelor of Integrated Studies receive onsite conditional acceptance to 17勛圖 have your records evaluated for transfer credit (e.g., previously earned university or college courses) receive program and course advising If you have previously earned 17勛圖 credit, please email your 17勛圖 student number by Wednesday, May 8, 6:00 pm to bis@upei.ca. For non-17勛圖 credits, please bring a hard copy of your official or unofficial transcripts. Complete a 17勛圖 account and register today!