NSAC E-Bulletin

Please forward your submissions to the NSAC E-Bulletin to Stephanie Rogers (news@nsac.ca) by Friday at 3:00 p.m. for inclusion in the next week's edition.

June 2, 2003 - Week 134

Research in Ghana
Mary Breen has been awarded a CIDA scholarship for Innovative Research to undertake research in Ghana for a thesis that will form part of an MA in International Development Studies from Dalhousie University. The title of her research project is "A gendered analysis of the socio-economic impact of food-related technologies on livelihoods in northern Ghana". The project will examine changes in livelihoods that emanate from the introduction of new technologies. While economic and environmental impacts of technology tend to be well-documented, the socio-cultural impacts are often ignored, including the differentiated impacts based on gender, age, status and ethnicity. Mary will travel to Ghana this summer to undertake the research. The scholarship is valued at $14,500.

News from the Road
University Day which was held on Friday, May 30th was a complete success. Thank-you to all the faculty, staff and students who helped make this day run smoothly. There were a total of 115 students on campus along with their families.

The day started out with rain which meant lunch was held indoors. A very special thanks to Ryan McCarron, Jenn Herbin, and Shelly Juurlink who performed a Woodsmen Demonstration before lunch to entertain the guests and to Mila MacLean who presented a student testimonial on student life. She worked very hard on a slideshow presentation but was unable to use it because of technical difficulties. After lunch, the students went on an hour long "Talks and Tour" of the program that they were interested in.

The Athletic Centre was the site for an Expo with all of the NSAC programs and services, and a representative from the Royal Bank to answer questions about student loans. A special thanks to Kevin McDavid who was the DJ during the expo and to Ian Dionne who took on role of Rocky the Ram, the NSAC Mascot. Also during the expo, students were able to register for their fall semester courses which turned out to be quite worthwhile since the telephone registration system is no longer in place.

There was a parent information session with guest speakers Wayne Paquet, speaking on behalf of the Registry, Judy Smith, Student Services, and Elaine Rector, Campus Safety and Security.
This week there will be four international guests on campus touring programs and facilities. Also a girl from Newfoundland will come to have a tour of the Pre-vet program.

Development and Alumni Relations Update
The Development and Alumni Relations Office May report is now available online at the following link: www.nsac.ns.ca/development/section_reports/2003/may.htm If you have any questions or suggestions please contact Jim at 893-7950 or JGoit@nsac.ns.ca

Ag Zone Friday, June 6th, 2003
The first annual Ag Zone is being held at NSAC on June 6th. The Nova Scotia Agricultural Awareness Committee is pleased to work in partnership with the Nova Scotia Agricultural College on this new initiative. On June 6th more than 300 students in Grades 4-6 from the Truro area will visit the College for a hands on, educational learning experience.

Throughout the day students will visit the Aquaculture Center, Environmental Sciences, engineering and the animals at the farm. There will also be an Ag Zone program on the lawn and lunch will include an auction which will demonstrate the importance of agricultural auctions.

Classes will arrive at 9:15 and throughout the day students will visit four sites and discover the exciting world of Nova Scotia Agriculture.

Atlantic Canada's Life Sciences Industry to Gather for BioPort 2003
BioPort is the annual forum and event for Atlantic Canada's life sciences industry players. With over 1300 medical researchers and PhDs and more than 50 biotechnology and medical device companies, our region is a growing force in the trillion dollar global life sciences industry. In its second year and presented by BioNova - The Nova Scotia Biotechnology & Life Sciences Industry Association, this year's event is being held in downtown Halifax, Nova Scotia, September 10-12, 2003.

With the theme of Innovation>Growth>Success!, BioPort 2003 will feature information sessions and discussions on innovation, commercialization, entrepreneurship, business development, research, intellectual property protection, access to capital, and other issues facing the industry. In addition to world class speaker presentations and panels, BioPort will offer ample networking and social opportunities.

BioPort 2003 will draw business and industry leaders, scientists, investors, government representatives, service providers, media, students, and people simply curious about what's happening in Atlantic Canada's extraordinary life sciences industry. Delegates will be from not only Atlantic Canada but also the rest of North America and Europe.

Mark your calendars for BioPort 2003, September 10-12, at the Casino Nova Scotia Hotel in Halifax. For more information and registration information please visit www.bionova.ns.ca or contact Jessica Smith at 902-421-5705.

Colchester Youth All-Stars 2003
The Colchester Youth All-Star awards were presented by the Colchester Regional Development Agency and the Truro and District Chamber of Commerce at a luncheon held June 4th, 2003. The Colchester Youth All-Stars program was developed as a means of recognizing and supporting the outstanding achievement of young people with the Colchester region. Kurtis Langille, an 18-year-old student in the engineering diploma program at NSAC was one such recipient. Kurtis has achieved excellence in the areas of academics, athletics, community involvement and entrepreneurship. A gifted athlete in soccer, baseball, hockey and track and field, Kurtis gives generously of his time as a volunteer coach and official. He also operates a small business designing and building Adirondack chairs and was recipient of a YES Achievement award in 2000. Congratulations Kurtis!

Canada Wide Science Fair
The Canada Wide Science Fair 2007 Bid Committee recently obtained the privilege of hosting the Canada Wide Science Fair in Truro/Bible Hill May 13-20, 2007. In awarding the right to host the Fair to this group, the Bid Selection committee expressed its confidence, that Truro/Bible Hill has the infrastructure, the support and the enthusiasm, to host this prestigious event in outstanding fashion.

The Nova Scotia Agricultural College will be actively involved in this event providing facilities
(accommodations, classrooms) and dining services. The Host Committee will need to work clisely with the staff and faculty of the NSAC and looks forward to the Assocaition. Anyone interested in becoming involved in this event please contact one of the co-Chairs Steve Karrel, Michael Price or Chris Boulter at (902) 896-5500

New Research Writer in RGS Office
Mr. Julian Dickinson has accepted the position as 'Summer Research Promotional Assistant' with the Research & Graduate Studies Office (RGS). He has completed his BA at Mount Allison University and his Bachelor of Journalism at the University of Kings College. Julian will be contacting researchers and graduate students on campus in search of interesting research findings/projects that can be written into articles for publication on our web site, and in internal publications and external newspapers and magazines. He will also be responsible for drafting and publishing the RGS newsletter and maintaining the RGS web site.

Thank you for welcoming Julian to campus and participating in interviews with him so that we can work together to promote research at NSAC. Julian may be reached in the RGS Office at 893-2635. Have an idea? Please give him a call.

Open House at AgriTECH Park
Wednesday, June 25th, 2003

10:00 - 10:30 a.m. Viewing of client displays (conference room)
10:30 - Noon Presentations by clients
Draws for door prizes

Lunch in the centre field (BBQ and recreational activities)

1:30 - 3:00 p.m. Park tour
• Bio-Environmental Engineering Centre
• BioScan Analytical Services
• Azar Agriculture
• AgraPoint International

2:30 - 3:30 p.m. Water Quality Workshop ( facilitated by BioScan Analytical Services)

Please note: Lunch is $6 per person (Please RSVP to Sharon 896-7275)

Clients of the Park:
AgraPoint International Inc. Nova Mariculture
Azar Agriculture Ltd. Atlantic Country Composting
Bridco Values Ltd. Nova Scotia Cooperative Council
BioScan Analytical Services Pizza Me
Dairy Farmers of Nova Scotia J.G. Vaughan Consulting Hydrogeologist
Office of Health Promotion
(Sport & Recreation Division)