The Master of Arts in Island Studies (MAIS) at the University of Prince Edward Island is a unique, interdisciplinary, and policy-driven graduate course that critiques islands on their own terms.

The program is open to students from around the world. They come out of undergraduate programs from diverse disciplinary backgrounds and diverse degrees, or with professional workplace experience in the public, private, or resource sectors, and they study a myriad of islands.

Faculty in the MAIS program come from a wide range of departments, ranging from Environmental and Political Studies to English, Education, and Economics.

Search "Master of Arts in Island Studies" to find out what some of our students and professors are doing.

Students are required to take six courses and write a thesis. The three Compulsory Courses, offered annually, are

* Themes...

The Webster Centre is a unique facility located in the Annex of the Robertson Library Building at the University of Prince Edward Island. It provides a central place for resources and people committed to the academic success of students, the professional development of faculty, and the integration of complementary programs that support teaching and learning.

The Webster Centre partners with UPEI's Student Services, the Centre for Life-Long Learning and other campus groups that provide academic support programs. Their input and partnership has allowed the Webster Centre to maximize the use of resources to better identify gaps in services and to thereby create strategies that more closely target demonstrated areas of need. The Webster Centre reaches far beyond the geographic location of the university through the English Academic Preparation (EAP) program. EAP is a bridging...

UPEI is providing mature students and lifelong learners with new educational opportunities, like the Bachelor of Integrated Studies degree program. Students in the BIS program complete 30 courses instead of the usual 40 in arts, science or business, which makes the degree more attainable for learners who have established careers. Eight of the courses cover an area of the students’ personal or career-related interests.

For more information: www.upei.ca/lifelonglearning/bis/

What is the role of the University of Prince Edward Island in supporting adult literacy? A team of investigators from the UPEI Webster Centre for Teaching and Learning and the UPEI Centre for Education Research explored that specific question looking at:

Developing a clearer understanding of adult learning needs;
Identifying existing successful adult learning opportunities at UPEI;
Identifying any barriers and opportunities that exist in improving adult learning at UPEI;
Identifying successful and innovative programs offered in other universities;
Suggesting ways to create a “climate of opportunities and possibilities” to support adult learners and learning at UPEI
Research Team: Dr. Martha Gabriel (Faculty of Education, UPEI), Dr. Ray Doiron (Faculty of Education, UPEI), Dr. Ron MacDonald (Faculty of Education, UPEI)

Funded through the...

In 2010 the UPEI Faculty Development Summer Institute on Active Learning and Teaching will celebrate its 27th year of great faculty professional development. It remains the only one of its kind in Canada. The overall goal of the Institute is to improve teaching and learning by supporting teachers to learn and use active learning in their classrooms.

For more information: www.upei.ca/lifelonglearning/FDSInstitute

Since 2008, the Public Sector Leadership Development Program through the Centre for Life-Long Learning has developed and strengthened leadership competencies. The delivery of interactive, practical, and relevant workshops enables participants to discover their leadership potential and thrive when faced with the complex demands in the public sector today and tomorrow. The program begins with an energizing conference featuring keynote speakers, followed by a series of nine modules delivered throughout the year.

Participants learn from leading faculty and practicing professionals from across Canada, and are immersed in an environment that provides them with the time to learn, engage, reflect, and practice new behaviours. Throughout the program, participants have the opportunity to network with their peers at various levels of government, to share and learn from each other’s...

This study was prompted and funded by the Mi’kmaq Confederacy of Prince Edward Island to establish a profile of Mi’kmaq learners on PEI. The study used both qualitative and quantitative methods to generate baseline statistical information relating to the educational levels of Mi’kmaq learners as well as to provide recommendations for the types of supports that would promote success. The researchers interviewed Mi’kmaq parents and key professionals in the schools, and they conducted focus groups with students to establish a thorough profile. Statistical data was enriched by comments from the parents and focus-group participants who shared their opinions about the types of programs and services that could make a difference in promoting education success.

In addition, researchers have visited various locations across Prince Edward Island as part of the Mi'kmaq and Inuit Research/...

The Executive Education Programs in UPEI's School of Business increase the knowledge and skill base in upper-level management on Prince Edward Island and add value to businesses and organizations, while providing members of the community with an opportunity to further their education while working full-time.

For more information: www.upei.ca/business/executive-education-programs-launched-school-business

The PEI Regiment Partnership is a partnership between the University and the PEI Regiment to organize and promote a public speaker series focusing on military and defense policy for Canada. The mission is to raise the profile of Canadian Defense policy in the public discourse. Speakers include Lt-Gen Lewis MacKenzie and General Rick Hillier.

The Robertson Library opened a new language lab on September 14, 2009, with funding from the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA). Thirty Mac computers with a comprehensive computer training program and auditory equipment assist students with learning English as a second language.

The Library is hoping to assist and partner with local groups, including the PEI Newcomers to Canada Association, to extend outreach to the Island community.

ProfitLearn PEI provides educational opportunities for small- and medium-sized businesses, creating highly practical, cost-effective skill development. Working through the through the Centre for Life-Long Learning, ProfitLearn delivers courses across PEI--Charlottetown, Summerside, Alberton, Cavendish, Kensington, Stanley Bridge, Stratford, Montague, and Souris. On average, ProfitLearn works with 650 community participants each year, with over 4,000 enrolled in courses and workshops since it began in 2002.