NSAC E-Bulletin

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NSAC initiates international collaboration with the National Institute of Fruit Tree Science (NIFTS) of Japan

Caption: (L to R) Top row, Dr. Kazunori Ogawa (Natural product chemist); Dr. Shozo Kobayashi (Molecular biologist); Dr. Yoshiki Kashimura (Plant physiologist); Dr. Kazuyuki Abe (Tree fruit breeder); Mr. Riichi Maruta (Liaison officer); Bottom row (Dr. Vasantha Rupasinghe (NSAC tree fruit bio-product research chair); Dr. Philip Hicks (NSAC President); Dr. Hideo Bessho (pomologist).

Tree Fruit Bio-product Research Program at NSAC has initiated an investigative travel project to share knowledge and best practices in advancing tree-fruit R&D activities between Canada and Japan as well as to investigate the possibility of developing a collaborative research program between NSAC and the NIFTS, Morioka, Japan.

As the first step, six tree fruit scientists of NIFTS visited NSAC last week. On Wednesday August 3rd, the Riverside room of Jenkins hall was filled with enthusiastic audience to listen three presentations made by Japanese researchers. The topics highlighted the recent advancements in fruit crop research in Japan: apple production, biotechnological approaches to enhance anthocyanin production in fruit crops and epidemiological studies to demonstrate health benefits of tree fruit constituents.

The Japanese delegates had a chance to join the annual orchard tour that was organized by Nova Scotia fruit growers. This year, several NSAC members represented the orchard tour: President P. Hicks, VP admin Dr. B. MacDonald, VP academic Dr. L. MacLaren and Drs D. Percival and V. Rupasinghe. The 5-day investigative tour coordinated by Dr. Rupasinghe also included NSAC labs and Rock Garden, Wild Blueberry Research Institute, Atlantic Food and Horticulture Research Institute, Grand Pre Winery, Vineland campus of University of Guelph, and Cool Climate Viticulture and Oenology Institute of Brock University. A team of Canadian tree fruit researchers will also visit some selected facilities of NIFTS of Japan this fall.

NSAC Open House - Thanks from the Community

Below is a thank-you note sent to the NSAC campus regarding our recent Open house from a member of the community. I think it reinforces very well the rationale behind the event and I wanted to share it with you.

To Whom It May Concern;

Recently my husband and I attended your Open House with our 4yr. old grandson. I cannot tell you how impressed all of us were. I have attended several conferences, events, open houses over the years and concluded at the end of that day that your event was the best organized event I had ever attended. I cannot speak highly enough for the friendliness of your employees, students, teachers and others who assisted in making that day a very special summer day for us. What a treat to be able to sample new culinary delights. And to have treats for the kids was a real bonus. Our 4 yr. old grandson never got tired because of the hayrides to each building. It was a most pleasant day and we all learned so much!!!

When I tucked my grandson in bed for the night we talked about the day and everything he saw. Cows, sheep, salmon, trout, bass, all the food and treats he had, the chickens, the displays etc. I asked him what his favorite thing was. I thought perhaps it was trying to "milk" the cow display (which he didn't do too bad at), or the sheep that scared and bejebers out of him when they 'baahed' (he laughed hysterically). None of those was his favorite. His favorite thing was looking through the microscope at the plankton and "seeing all the little fishies".

From our family to the NSAC family - kudos to all of you. We cannot praise you enough for a tremendous job well done!

Grace and Pieter Dykstra Cheverie, NS

NSAC Centennial Scavenger Hunt Winners Announced

NSAC Students Services, NSAC Career Services, NSAC Athletic Department & NSAC Students’ Union - sponsored Centennial Scavenger Hunt was part of NSAC’s Open House 2005, held Thursday, July 28th.

Over 170 people participated in the Centennial Scavenger Hunt, with 28 completing the ‘Hunt’ and being eligible for the prize draw on July 29th. 2005.

Three lucky winners will receive Centennial Scavenger Hunt prizes (supplied by NSAC Student Services), each consisting of an NSAC T-shirt and NSAC Ball Cap, and a NSAC Centennial Pewter Cumming Hall Ornament by Seagull Pewter Designs!

The winners of the Centennial Scavenger Hunt were:
- Marina McMillan, of Tatamagouche;
- Janice Cameron, of Shubenacadie, and
- April MacHattie, of Truro.

The organizing bodies are open to suggestions, comments or other forms of feedback about the Centennial Scavenger Hunt from anyone. Please direct feedback to su@nsac.ns.ca .

Congratulations to the lucky winners and thanks to all who participated, as well as those who helped to make Centennial Scavenger Hunt a success!

Public Seminar

Conflict Diamonds and the Kimberley Process: Implications For Human Security in Sierra Leone

Presented by J. Andrew Grant

Wednesday, August 17: 11-12pm NSAC Campus Haley Institute- Room 112

J. Andrew Grant recently completed his doctorate in Political Science at Dalhousie University. From April to June 2003, he was an intern at the Campaign for Good Governance in Freetown, Sierra Leone. Grant has either authored or co-authored a number of articles, book chapters, and conference papers on African politics. He is co-editor (with Fredrik Söderbaum) of The New Regionalism in Africa (Ashgate, 2003).

In September 2005, Grant will begin a Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada Postdoctoral Fellowship at the Center for International and Comparative Studies at Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois.

For more information, contact Kendra at NSAC International kmmellish@nsac.ns.ca

Arthur Haskins to Retire!

On August 31, 2005, after 31 years of Horticultural work with the Nova Scotia Department of Agriculture and as the Plant and Animal Sciences greenhouse Manager with the Nova Scotia Agricultural College, Arthur Haskins will be retiring and will be greatly missed by all of his colleagues.

The Plant and Animal Science Department will be hosting an informal get together on Wednesday, August 10, 2005 from 10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. Please come join us to help us celebrate all the work Arthur has done and to wish him well in his retirement. We will be located in Cox Institute, Room 150.

For any questions or inquiries please contact Marianne Clark at 893-6633 or mclark@nsac.ca.ca or Shannon Kilyanek at 893-6677 or skilyanek@nsac.ca.

Everyone is welcome to join us, so please come and help us wish Arthur all the best as we acknowledge his 31 years of dedicated work and friendship.

Please pass this announcement on to any interested persons who may not be reached by this bulletin.