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.

NSIA Appoints New President

Congratulations are extended to Professor Kevin Sibley who has recently been elected to a second consecutive term as President of the Nova Scotia Institute of Agrologists (NSIA). The Presidential term is for one-year beginning April 22, 2005.

International Students in the Classroom: May 3 Workshops

As part of NSAC's preparation for a growth in internatonal student enrolment, all instructional staff are requested to attend one of two workshops scheduled for Tuesday, 3 May 2005.

Morning Workshop 9:00-11:30 Afternoon Workshop 1:00-3:30
Location: Cox 24

Convocation 2005

NSAC is proud to be celebrating its 100th Convocation ceremony on Friday May 6th, 2005 beginning at 2:00 p.m in the Langille Athletic Centre with 165 students scheduled to participate.

Celebrations will begin on Thursday, May 5th at 5:30 p.m. with the Tree Planting Ceremongy. Class of 2005 Life Executive Officers & general members will present Trees & corresponding plaques to NSAC to be used in developing the Centennial Labyrinth Amphitheatre Garden.

The Baccalaureate Service and Candle Lighting Ceremony will follow in Alumni Theatre beginning at 6:00 p.m.

The Graduation Banquet begins at Jenkins Hall at 7:00 p.m. The banquet is a highlight of graduation celebrations and will provide an opportunity for members of the graduating class to be recognized with a variety of student leadership awards. To purchase tickets for this event please contact the Student Union at su@nsac.ns.ca

The Baccalaureate Service, Tree planting ceremony and the Convocation ceremony are open to all families and friends of 2005 graduates and you are encouraged to attend. For more information on these and other events, please visit the convocation website at www.nsac.ns.ca/convocation

New Arrival

Congratulations are extended to Dianne and David Percvial on the arrival of thier first child, a daughter, Lauren Ethelyn, born Friday, April 22nd.

Thanks for the 4-H Memories

You are cordially invited to attend a social on May 6, 2005 from 8:30 p.m. - 10:00 p.m. in the lounge of Jenkins Hall at NSAC.

The 4-H and Rural Organizations Section are honouring three special people who have made a valuable contribution to the 4-H program, the farming community and many rural organizations such as Women’s Institute of Nova Scotia, Nova Scotia Federation of Agriculture, Agriculture Awareness and Farm Safety committees for over 25 years and who are retiring from the Nova Scotia Department of Agriculture and Fisheries:

Gail Keddy
Susan Horne
Weldon Smith

Gail’s career with Nova Scotia Department of Agriculture and Fisheries began as a Regional Home Economist in Truro and continued as a Resource Coordinator with the 4-H Section and Rural Organizations Section.

Susan began her career with the Nova Scotia Department of Agriculture and Fisheries as a Regional Home Economist and then as Supervisor of the Home Economics Section. She moved to the Halifax office and worked as Supervisor of Policy and Legislation until her retirement.

Weldon’s career with Nova Scotia Department of Agriculture and Fisheries for many years was as a 4-H Specialist and then as an Agriculture Representative in the Valley Region. For more information contact Ruth Grant at (902) 893-6598

Canadian Executive ServicesOrganization (CESO)
Volunteer Opportunities

CESO is a not-for-profit, volunteer-based organization founded in 1967 providing economic development expertise to Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal Canadians and clients in countries such as Africa, Asia, the Caribbean, Central and South America and emerging market economies in Central and Eastern Europe.

The university is a key resource in the provision of advice and expertise to developing economies. CESO offers an opportunity for experienced professionals to share their lifetime knowledge and skills even after they are no longer prepared to offer such services on a full-time basis. CESO volunteers help resolve the sorts of difficulties experienced by new and expanding initiatives and by struggling government agencies—frequently in communities where such resources are scarce. For the rest of the article, please click here

International relationship-building in the Netherlands

Drs. Philip Hicks and Kris Pruski recently traveled to the Netherlands, on a visit to catalyze new research partnerships and facilitate international student mobility between our two countries.

Dr. Pruski graduated with his doctoral degree from Wageningen University in the year 2000 and therefore has maintained strong ties with this university.

While in the Netherlands, Drs. Hicks and Pruski spent a day at Dronten Professional Agricultural university where they met Drs. Menger, Corten and Bekkering. This university is very similar to NSAC in that it offers both degree and diploma programs, is small and has a state-of-the-art farm complex in its core. Their interntional program is particulary strong. Dr. Bruce Gray is planning a return visit this June to further develop this relationship.

While at Wageningen university, Drs Hicks and Pruski met with Rector Prof. Speelman, Vice-Rector Rabbinge and many other Directors and Department Heads. Topics discussed included the potential for research collaboration between individuals from our respective faculties, funding potential within the upcoming European 7th Framework and areas of mutual academic strength which could support future student mobility.

Drs. Hicks and Corten touring the Dronten University campus

Dr. Hicks being shown the new student residences at Dronten university with Dr. Menger.

Rector Speelman and President Hicks preparing to sign an academic cooperation agreement.

Prof. Paul Struik showing Dr. Hicks the Wageningen university greenhouses. Dr. Struik was the doctoral supervisor of Dr. Kris Pruski

Refugee Sponsorship Information Session May 9th

The Colchester Immigration Partnership will be hosting a Refugee Sponsorship Information Session on May 9th, 7:00 pm- 8:00 pm at the NSCC (Forrester Hall, Room 224). Sister Yvonne Pothier, coordinator of refugee sponsorship programs in the Halifax Catholic churches will be the guest speaker.

NSAC will have two of its WUSC sponsored refugee students on hand to speak about what it has meant for them to come to Canada as refugees. Abebaw Derseh is from Ethiopia and is studying Engineering at NSAC. He is our WUSC sponsored student for 2004-2005. James Wani from Sudan will be speaking as well. He was our WUSC sponsored student from 2000 and will be graduating May 6th.

The Atlantic Agronomy Workshop

Rodd Charlottetown Hotel, 75 Kent Street, Charlottetown, PEI January 17-18, 2006

Organized by Canadian Society of Agronomy

Additional information concerning the program, submitting volunteer papers / posters, hotel, and registration will be sent out to regional organizations and posted in the fall of 2005 under Events on the Canadian Society of Agronomy web page at: http://www.agronomycanada.com

The Canadian Society of Agronomy (CSA) is organizing the third forum in the Atlantic Region for those interested in agronomy (cereals, corn, forages, pulse crops, soybeans, etc.) to get together to exchange ideas and research results. The Workshop was changed from an annual meeting to one held on even numbered years starting in 2006. The Workshop will be organized as a 2-day meeting of invited papers in specific Symposium topic areas, and volunteer papers and posters. The event is for Agrologists, CCAs, professors and graduate students, and it will be run as an "at cost" event covered by registration fees.

Mark your calendar, and plan to attend to present the latest results from your research.

NOTE: Application has been made for Certified Education Credits to be awarded for this Workshop.

CFAVM Announces new Director

Dr. Craig Pearson, President of the Canadian Faculties of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine [CFAVM]) is pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. Douglas D. Hedley as Executive Director of CFAVM.

Dr. Hedley succeeds Dr. Clay Switzer in this position, effective July 01. In making the announcement, Dr. Craig Pearson, President of CFAVM also praised Dr Switzer's leadership of the national organization through its formative years as "an outstanding contribution to our collective goals, and to agrifood, environmental and veterinary education generally."

Dr.Hedley is a private consultant , following many years in the Canadian Public Service in Agriculture and Agrifood Canada. He has held Assistant Deputy Minister positions in both the Farm Financial Programs and in the Policy Branch of AAFC. He also has had extensive international experience in agricultural economic development, graduate-level university training in economics, and in policy and program development.

As Executive Director of CFAVM, Dr. Hedley will be based in Ottawa. He may be contacted at --dhedley000@sympatico.ca--

Ni hao!

Would you like to learn Chinese (and find out what Ni hao means)? Dr.
Gefu Wang Pruski will be leading a series of informal sessions in basic
Chinese, on Wednesdays, 12 noon to 1 PM, starting May 11. All are
welcome; bring your lunch along and join us in Cox 260.

NSAC International would like to thank Dr. Wang Pruski for this commitment - a chance for us all to learn some basic phrases in preparation for the fall intake of students from China.