Category BU news
 

Quebec Universities Join Forces and Address Climate Issues: Six Webinars to Promote Quebec Expertise

Eighteen universities in Quebec have come together to offer six free webinars leading up to the 2023 UN Climate Change Conference (COP28) in Dubai, starting November 30. Organized by the Réseau universitaire québécois en développement durable (RUQDD), this series will bring together expertise from across the academic community in Quebec and highlight the importance of working together to tackle climate change.

Through this series, RUQDD member universities aim to highlight research and solutions related to the climate crisis that are being explored and developed in Quebec.

Distinguished researchers in climate justice, green economy, eco-fiscal policies, and sustainable cities will discuss the most recent and conclusive knowledge in their respective fields. Open to all Quebecers, the webinars will be hosted by Magali Simard-Galdes, opera singer and Radio-Canada columnist with a Master’s in Sustainability Management.

This initiative is linked to United Nations Sustainable Development Goal #13, which invites everyone to take immediate actions to address climate change and its impact.

Note that this project received financial support from the government of Québec through its call for projects “Mobilization of Quebec Society for the Dubai Climate Conference” This call for projects is part of the 2030 Plan for a Green Economy, one of whose measures aims at strengthening and expanding Quebec’s strategic partnerships in the fight against climate change on both the national and international stages.

“The government of Québec is proud to support this initiative, which will contribute to the acquisition of knowledge and understanding of the issues at stake in the climate crisis, while raising public awareness about best practices to address them. By bringing together the recognized expertise of our academic community, we are also highlighting the research and solutions developed here in Québec to meet the climate challenge that lies ahead.” – Benoit Charette, Minister of Environment, Climate Change, Wildlife, and Parks, and Minister responsible for the Laurentides region.

To register and consult the program: https://unis-climat.teluq.ca

Schedule
Starting on October 18 through November 22, the webinars will be broadcast live on Wednesdays from 12 p.m. to 1 p.m. Two of the webinars will be recorded in front of a live audience in Montreal.

October 18, 2023  (online):Everything you need to know about COP28
October 25, 2023 (online and at the Maison du DD):COP28: Climate justice, gender equality, and health
November 1, 2023 (online):Forests, oceans, and climate change
November 8, 2023 (online):Climate, water, and agri-food systems
November 15, 2023 (online):COP28: Energy transition, green economy, and eco-fiscal policy
November 22, 2023 (online and at ÉTS):COP28: How cities can make a difference for tomorrow

Participating universities:

  • Bishop’s University
  • Concordia University
  • École de technologie supérieure
  • École nationale d’administration publique
  • HEC Montréal
  • Institut national de la recherche scientifique
  • McGill University
  • Polytechnique Montréal
  • Université de Montréal
  • Université de Sherbrooke
  • Université du Québec en Abitibi-Témiscamingue
  • Université du Québec à Chicoutimi
  • Université du Québec à Montréal
  • Université du Québec à Rimouski
  • Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières
  • Université du Québec en Outaouais
  • Université Laval
  • Université TÉLUQ

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MEDIA INQUIRIES:

Sonia Patenaude
Communications Manager – Bishop’s University
819-342-2587 | sonia.patenaude@ubishops.ca

Bishop’s University to offer new program in 2024: Doctor of Psychology (PsyD), Clinical Psychology Profile

Starting in Fall 2024, Bishop’s University will offer a Doctor of Psychology (PsyD), Clinical Psychology Profile. This exciting new offering is born out of a collaboration between the Université du Québec à Chicoutimi (UQAC) and Bishop’s. In fact, the program is a UQAC program offered by extension at Bishop’s. It focuses on professional clinical psychology and will equip students to conduct psychological assessments and perform psychological interventions. Importantly, it is accredited by the (OPQ), thus making program graduates eligible for OPQ membership and employment opportunities as a clinical psychologist.

Doctor of Psychology program team

Uniquely, this program is designed for bilingual students (French and English), including prospective applicants from systemically underrepresented backgrounds. The program will be taught in English, however, as part of their practicum and internship requirements, students will offer consultations for francophone and anglophone clienteles. This will benefit the local community by increasing the offering of bilingual mental health services, filling a well-documented gap in services (rapport d’Hélène David).

“Historically, mental health services have been lacking for the English-speaking population of Estrie. Furthermore, as reported several times in the media in recent years, current mental health services for the general Quebec population are not enough to meet demand. The situation has only worsened since the pandemic, with the impacts we know have on people’s mental health and rates of psychological distress which have increased, state Dr. Catherine Malboeuf-Hurtubise, Clinical Psychology Program Director at Bishop’s University. “The opening of this program will therefore make it possible to meet this need for the Sherbrooke and Estrie community. In addition, our commitment to accepting a large cohort of 16 students will make it possible to respond to the first recommendation of Hélène David’s recent report, which encourages universities to increase admissions to doctoral programs in clinical psychology.”

The availability of mental health services has been identified as a priority sector by the Quebec government indicating a growing demand. This program aims to welcome a first cohort of 16 students in Fall 2024. Over the course of four years, these students will train to become clinical psychologists able to assess and help various clienteles, drawing on the discipline’s scientific knowledge and on a deep understanding of the needs and characteristics of individuals and communities.

Interested candidates can find more information and complete an application via the program’s website.

The application deadline for a Fall 2024 start is February 1, 2024.

ON THE PHOTO:

Dr. Andrew Webster, Vice-principal Academic and Research, Bishop’s University,
Dr. Daniel Lalande, Clinical Psychology Program Director at Université du Québec à Chicoutimi (UQAC),
Dr. Catherine Malboeuf-Hurtubise, Clinical Psychology Program Director at Bishop’s University,
Dr. Sébastien Lebel-Grenier, Principal and vice-chancellor at Bishop’s University

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MEDIA INQUIRIES:

Sonia Patenaude
Communications Manager – Bishop’s University
819-342-2587 | sonia.patenaude@ubishops.ca

Open House at Bishop’s University: Admissions Applications and Offers Processed on Site

In the wake of significant attention focused on Bishop’s University’s admissions for the 2023-2024 academic year, the University will open its doors to visitors on October 14, 2023, starting at 9:30 a.m. Prospective students and their families from Québec, Canada, the United States, and other countries around the world, will get to immerse themselves in the full Bishop’s experience.

On-site admissions: Undergraduate students intending to begin their studies in Fall 2024 are encouraged to bring their educational documents for CEGEP (or high school) before 11:30 a.m. to have the opportunity to take part in the accelerated admissions process where the admissions office will review their application and provide an answer on their acceptance at the end of the day. If a student has not yet applied, there will also be an opportunity to apply for free (the application fee will be waived). Students arriving later in the day will still be able to apply for free and can expect a response the week following Open House.

Visitors will hear current students sharing their academic and campus life experiences. They will be taken on a guided campus tour and meet with deans and professors. Representatives from the athletics department, student services, admissions and the business office will all be on hand to answer questions. Members of the Student Recruitment and Admissions team will speak to the group of prospective students coming from across the country and the United States.

If you have any specific questions about Open House, or more general questions about life at Bishop’s, prospective students can chat with a current student or a member of the recruitment team by sending an email or by calling: recruitment@ubishops.ca or 819-822-9600 ext. 2681.

Media representatives interested in covering this event should rsvp by contacting Sonia Patenaude, Manager of Communications.

 

What: Open House at Bishop’s University

When: Saturday, October 14, 2023, 9:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

Where: John H. Price Sports Centre, 2600 College Street, Sherbrooke J1M 1Z7

 

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MEDIA INQUIRIES AND RSVP:

Sonia Patenaude
Communications Manager – Bishop’s University
819-342-2587 | sonia.patenaude@ubishops.ca

Study of Exoplanet TRAPPIST-1 b Reveals New Insights into its Atmosphere and Star

Complex interplay between stellar activity and exoplanet characteristics revealed in study co-authored by Bishop’s Professor Jason Rowe

TRAPPIST-1 exoplanetary system
Image by Benoît Gougeon, Université de Montréal

A team of astronomers has made an important leap forward in our understanding of the intriguing TRAPPIST-1 exoplanetary system. Not only has their research shed light on the nature of TRAPPIST-1 b, the exoplanet orbiting closest to the system’s star, but it has also shown the importance of parent stars when studying exoplanets. The findings, published today in Astrophysical Journal Letters, shed light on the complex interplay between stellar activity and exoplanet characteristics.

This artistic representation of the TRAPPIST-1 red dwarf star showcases its very active nature. The star appears to have many stellar spots (colder regions of its surface, similar to sunspots) and flares. The exoplanet TRAPPIST-1 b, the closest planet to the system’s central star, can be seen in the foreground with no apparent atmosphere. The exoplanet TRAPPIST-1 g, one of the planets in the system’s habitable zone, can be seen in the background to the right of the star. The TRAPPIST-1 system contains seven Earth-sized exoplanets. (Credit: Benoît Gougeon, Université de Montréal)

A promising exoplanetary system

TRAPPIST-1, a star much smaller and cooler than our Sun located approximately 40 light-years away from Earth, has captured the attention of scientists and space enthusiasts alike since the discovery of its seven Earth-sized exoplanets in 2016. These worlds, tightly packed around their star with three of them within its habitable zone, have fueled hopes of finding potentially habitable environments beyond our Solar System.

A research team, led by Olivia Lim from the Trottier Institute for Research on Exoplanets (iREx) at the Université de Montréal (UdeM), employed the powerful James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) to observe the exoplanet TRAPPIST-1 b. These observations were collected as part of the largest Canadian-led General Observers (GO) program during the JWST’s first year of operations. This program also included observations of three other planets in the system, TRAPPIST-1 c, g and h. TRAPPIST-1 b was observed during two transits — the moment when the planet passes in front of its star — using the Canadian-made NIRISS instrument aboard the JWST.

“These are the very first spectroscopic observations of any TRAPPIST-1 planet obtained by the JWST, and we’ve been waiting for them for years!” exclaims Olivia Lim, Principal Investigator of this important GO program.

The study used the technique of transmission spectroscopy to gain important insights into the properties of the distant world. By analysing the central star’s light after it has passed through the exoplanet’s atmosphere during a transit, astronomers can see the unique fingerprint left behind by the molecules and atoms found within that atmosphere.

“This is just a small subset of many more observations of this unique planetary system yet to come and to be analysed,” adds René Doyon, Principal Investigator of the NIRISS instrument and co-author on the study. “These first observations highlight the power of NIRISS and the JWST in general to probe the thin atmospheres around rocky planets.”

Know thy star, know thy planet

The key finding of the study was the significant impact of stellar activity and contamination when trying to determine the nature of an exoplanet. Stellar contamination refers to the influence of the star’s own features, such as dark spots and bright faculae, on the measurements of the exoplanet’s atmosphere.

The team found compelling evidence that stellar contamination plays a crucial role in shaping the transmission spectra of TRAPPIST-1 b and, likely, the other planets in the system. The central star’s activity can create “ghost signals” that may fool the observer into thinking they have detected a particular molecule in the exoplanet’s atmosphere. This result underscores the importance of considering stellar contamination when planning future observations of all exoplanetary systems. This is especially true for systems like TRAPPIST-1, since the system is centred around a red dwarf star which can be particularly active with starspots and frequent flare events.

“In addition to the contamination from stellar spots and faculae, we saw a stellar flare, an unpredictable event during which the star looks brighter for several minutes to hours,” mentions Olivia Lim. “This flare affected our measurement of the amount of light blocked by the planet. Such signatures of stellar activity are difficult to model but we need to account for them to ensure that we interpret the data correctly.”

No significant atmosphere on TRAPPIST-1 b

While all seven of the TRAPPIST-1 planets have been tantalising candidates in the search of an Earth 2.0, an exoplanet like our Earth, TRAPPIST-1 b’s proximity to its star means it finds itself in harsher conditions than its siblings. It receives four times more radiation than the Earth does from the Sun and has a surface temperature between 120 and 220 degrees Celsius. However, if TRAPPIST-1 b were to have an atmosphere, it would be the easiest to detect and describe of all the targets in the system. Since TRAPPIST-1 b is the closest planet to its star and thus the hottest planet in the system, its transit creates a stronger signal. All these factors make TRAPPIST-1 b a crucial, yet challenging target of observation.

To account for the impact of stellar contamination, the team conducted two independent atmospheric retrievals — techniques to determine the kind of atmosphere present on TRAPPIST-1 b based on observations. In the first approach, stellar contamination was removed from the data before they were analysed. In the second approach, stellar contamination and the planetary atmosphere were modelled and fit simultaneously. In both cases, the results indicated that TRAPPIST-1 b’s spectra could be well matched by the modelled stellar contamination alone. This suggested no evidence of a significant atmosphere on the planet. Such a result remains very valuable, as it tells astronomers which types of atmospheres are incompatible with the observed data.

Based on their collected JWST observations, Lim and her team explored a range of atmospheric models for TRAPPIST-1 b, examining various possible compositions and scenarios. They found that cloud-free, hydrogen-rich atmospheres were ruled out with high confidence. This means that there appears to be no clear, extended atmosphere around TRAPPIST-1 b. However, the data could not confidently exclude thinner atmospheres, such as those composed of pure water, carbon dioxide, or methane, nor an atmosphere similar to that of Titan, a moon of Saturn and the only moon in the Solar System with its own atmosphere. These results are generally consistent with previous (photometric, and not spectroscopic) JWST observations of TRAPPIST-1 b (from Greene, et al. and Ih, et al.) with the MIRI instrument. Furthermore, the study has proven that Canada’s NIRISS instrument is a highly performing, sensitive tool able to probe for atmospheres on Earth-sized exoplanets down to impressive levels.

The new insights gained from this study have deepened scientists’ understanding of the TRAPPIST-1 system and emphasised the need for more observations and comprehensive investigations that consider both stellar contamination and planetary atmospheres. As astronomers continue to explore the vast expanse of space, these findings will inform future observing programs on the JWST and other missions and contribute to our broader understanding of exoplanetary atmospheres and their potential habitability.

About this study

The paper “Atmospheric Reconnaissance of TRAPPIST-1 b with JWST/NIRISS: Evidence for Strong Stellar Contamination in the Transmission Spectra” was published in Astrophysical Journal Letters on September 22, 2023. The lead author is Olivia Lim, Ph.D. student at the Trottier Institute for Research on Exoplanets at the Université de Montréal (UdeM). Other iREx researchers that contributed to this paper are Björn Benneke (UdeM), René Doyon (UdeM), Caroline Piaulet (UdeM), Étienne Artigau (UdeM), Louis-Philippe Coulombe (UdeM), Michael Radica (UdeM), Alexandrine L’Heureux (UdeM), Loïc Albert (UdeM), Salma Salhi (UdeM and University of Calgary), Pierre-Alexis Roy (UdeM), Marylou Fournier-Tondreau (UdeM), Jake Taylor (UdeM and University of Oxford), Neil Cook (UdeM), David Lafrenière (UdeM), Nicolas Cowan (McGill U), Jason Rowe (Bishop’s U), Lisa Dang (UdeM), and Antoine Darveau-Bernier (UdeM). Additional contributors are based out of the University of Michigan, MIT, Cornell University, STScI, and Johns Hopkins University.

For more information

ApJL scientific paper

arXiv scientific paper

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Source:
Université de Montréal

Media Requests:
Sonia Patenaude, Communications Manager
Communications Office | Bishop’s University
819-822-9600, extension 2617 | spatenau@ubishops.ca

Special Convocation Ceremonies at Bishop’s University for the Installation of the 19th Principal and Vice-Chancellor

Bishop’s University Chancellor Daniel Fournier will preside the 196th Convocation and Installation of Dr. Sébastien Lebel-Grenier on Friday, September 22nd in Centennial Theatre. For the occasion, Bishop’s will also confer degrees, diplomas, and certificates in course to some 50 graduates in attendance for the Class of 2023.

Convocation is also a time to recognize the outstanding achievements of deserving individuals, by conferring Doctorates in Civil Law (D.C.L.) upon Honorands – former rectrice at Université de Sherbrooke, Luce Samoisette and contemporary artist, Heidi Feldman Spector will be honored during this ceremony.

What:     196th Convocation and Installation Ceremony of Bishop’s University’s 19th Principal and Vice-Chancellor

When:    Friday, September 22, 2023 at 11:00 a.m.

Where:   Centennial Theatre, Bishop’s University (B10 on the campus map)

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MEDIA REQUESTS:

Sonia Patenaude, Manager of Communications
Communications Office, Bishop’s University
819-342-2587
sonia.patenaude@ubishops.ca

Bishop’s University’s Dr. Vivian Valencia Appointed Research Chair in Sustainable Agriculture and Climate Action

Dr. Vivian Valencia of Bishop’s University’s Sustainable Agriculture and Food Systems (SAFS) program is appointed Sustainable Agriculture and Climate Action (SACA) Research Chair. Her role involves establishing a “Lighthouse Network,” a collection of innovative and inspiring examples within agrifood systems. This initiative is proudly supported by TD Bank Group, through its corporate citizenship platform, the TD Ready Commitment.

Dr. Valencia is dedicated to tackling the pressing challenges posed by climate change and biodiversity loss. Her research primarily revolves around identifying and analyzing exceptional success stories referred to as “lighthouses.” These are remarkable instances that introduce ground-breaking alternatives to conventional food and farming systems.

Through in-depth analysis of these outstanding cases, Dr. Valencia aims to uncover the key factors contributing to their success. Her objective is to formulate strategies that can amplify their positive impacts. By spotlighting these pockets of exceptional innovation and progress, her intention is to also create optimistic narratives for the future. This approach seeks to inspire constructive actions aimed at establishing resilient and sustainable food systems in Quebec and beyond.

The SACA Research Chair will investigate sustainable land use practices that both foster ecological health and support the agricultural sector as it transitions to a low-carbon economy. By generating knowledge and educating students, farmers and the general public, the Research Chair will actively contribute to the culture change needed to meet these sustainability objectives.

“The SAFS program is unique and exciting because it places a strong focus on improving the sustainability of all aspects of agriculture and food systems, encompassing the social, economic and environmental aspects of the entire system,” explains Dr. Valencia. As part of SAFS, she created her first course on food systems, AGR11: Lighthouse Farms for Sustainable Futures, which ran last Winter session 2023.

“TD Bank Group is proud to support the TD Sustainable Agriculture and Climate Action Research Chair at Bishop’s University. By supporting innovative projects that promote sustainable agriculture and a transition to a low-carbon economy, we aim to actively contribute to a future where the customers and communities we serve can grow and thrive”, says Sylvie Demers, Chair, Quebec Market, TD Bank Group.

“Dr Valencia’s innovative approach to research has great potential to transform the Quebec agricultural landscape towards more sustainable and climate – resistant practices. She acknowledges and builds upon the creative ideas of Quebec farmers, thereby including them in the research initiative. This crowd sourcing approach generates more ideas and increases the efficiency of implementing successful approaches back into the community”. – Dr. Matthew Peros, Dean of Social Sciences at Bishop’s University.

The Sustainable Agriculture and Food Systems (SAFS) program recently began offering majors, minors, certificates, and tailor-made master’s degrees (). The creation of this new Research Chair highlights Bishop’s commitment to the highest standards of academic excellence for the SAFS program.

TD, as the Founding Supporter of the SACA Research Chair, committed $500,000 to Bishop’s University in 2022, in support of the Chair and the educational farm.

The SACA Research Chair in SAFS will collaborate with local farmers, community organizations, policymakers, and financial planners to perform research in the Eastern Townships and on the Educational Farm. This collaboration will lead to innovative practices that are suited to Quebec’s unique growing conditions and culture. The Chair will also disseminate research findings through various channels, including academic publications, media interviews, social media, public presentations, meetings with farmer groups, and guest lectures in schools.

The funds for the Educational Farm will be used to further its growth, including a tree orchard plantation, a small fruit plantation, a nut tree plantation, and supplementary studies and on-site support.

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MEDIA INQUIRIES:

Sonia Patenaude
Communications Manager – Bishop’s University
819-342-2587 | sonia.patenaude@ubishops.ca

Bishop’s University to announce New Research Chair

A press conference is scheduled at Bishop’s University on September 7th at 1:00 p.m. to announce the creation of a new Research Chair that will address major issues for society while supporting sustainable development priorities at Bishop’s.

Speakers will include Dr. Sébastien Lebel-Grenier, Principal and Vice-Chancellor at Bishop’s University, and Dr. Mathew Peros, Dean of Social Sciences.

Date:  Thursday, September 7th, 2023

Time:  1:00 p.m.

Location:
Educational Farm – Bishop’s University
3075a, Glenday Road – how to get there
Sherbrooke (Québec)  J1M 0C2

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Media Requests and RSVP:

Sonia Patenaude, Manager of Communications
Communications Department | Bishop’s University
819-822-9600, extension 2617
819-342-2587
spatenau@ubishops.ca

Major Breakthrough in Combatting Eurasian Watermilfoil – Artificial Intelligence Supports Waterfront Residents

A breakthrough has been reached in the fight against Eurasian watermilfoil. Bishop’s University, in partnership with RAPPEL (Regroupement des associations pour la protection de l’environnement des lacs et des bassins versants), has put forth the world’s first application of an aquatic drone to improve the efficiency of critical efforts to control against invasive aquatic plants.

A project led by the Undergraduate Bishop’s Earth Research Group (UBERG), specifically by Steven Poulin, a master’s student in Computer Sciences at Bishop’s, the aquatic drone has criss-crossed lakes in the Estrie and Outaouais regions in the past year. The goal: to build a bank of images for its deep-learning system. As such, over 60,000 images of aquatic plants have been integrated within the drone which can now autonomously recognize twelve aquatic plant species with over 95% efficiency, surpassing human performance in this area.

RAPPEL, a group of strategy experts in the control of Eurasian milfoil, proceeded, in recent weeks, to the concrete application of the drone for its operations. In collaboration with the Association pour la protection de l’environnement du lac O’Malley (APELO), RAPPEL used the aquatic drone for its work in Austin at O’Malley Lake. The drone first surveyed the waters, then RAPPEL used the type of data collected, such as mapping and identification of Eurasian watermilfoil unit plans. The result: operations for the manual removal based on precision geofencing, a world’s first.

L’Association de protection de l’environnement du lac O’Malley wished to congratulate the Bishop’s University team and the team from RAPPEL for this important step in combatting Eurasian milfoil. Our association is proud to have participated to this research project and to continue being at the forefront in controlling this invasive exotic plant.Michèle Lafond, APELO President

This advance is significant because it will reduce the cost of controlling invasive exotic aquatic plants. Indeed, the mapping produced using the drone provides an accuracy of 10 to 15 cm, reducing the positioning time of the divers who carry out the uprooting under water. The applications of such technology to improve knowledge of an aquatic environment and to carry out floristic inventories are also very encouraging.

Building on this promising momentum, the research team now hopes to obtain the necessary funds to produce other drones of the same type and benefit a greater proportion of water protection stakeholders.

UBERG

Undergraduate Bishop’s Earth Research Group (UBERG) is an organization of Bishop’s University that aims to provide undergraduate students with in-depth and meaningful research experiences in applied geospatial topics. Its mission is to conduct environmental research projects that benefit the surrounding community while providing undergraduate students with educational opportunities to develop applied research skills. The UBER-Gaiter aquatic drone project has mobilized many people from the student community in recent years. Designed in 2018 and assembled in 2019, the drone’s acquisition module deployed in 2020 before being put on hold during the COVID-19 pandemic. It was in the winter of 2022 that Steven Poulin, co-supervised by researchers and lecturers Bruno Courtemanche and Russel Butler, reinitiated the aquatic drone project and allowed it to be used for the first time in an operational context.

RAPPEL

RAPPEL (Regroupement des associations pour la protection de l’environnement des lacs et des bassins versants) was created in 1997 by lake associations who wanted to come together to better protect their respective bodies of water. Now in the legal form of a non-profit solidarity cooperative democratically managed by its members, the RAPPEL is carried by 350 members, including more than 160 associations and about forty municipalities, distributed in 11 administrative regions of Quebec. At the heart of the cooperative is a multidisciplinary professional team made up of specialists in biology, engineering, geomorphology, geography, and ecology technicians. The expertise of the staff aims to support the daily work of the volunteers of the associations and other actors in the protection of water. Recognized for its expertise in the fight against Eurasian watermilfoil, RAPPEL has been involved for several years in the aquatic drone project, whether through data sharing, contact with lake associations, sharing research equipment or human resources.

Rappel logo

APELO

L’Association pour la protection de l’environnement du lac O’Malley (APELO) has been in operation since 1979 to preserve the health of the lake. Its purpose is to bring together all residents and all owners with access to the lake around the same cause: the protection of the lake and its environment. Lake O’Malley is the second lake in Quebec that has taken steps toward experimenting with burlap tarping as a method of combating the invasion of Eurasian watermilfoil in the body of water. Thus, the lake has witnessed many tests, carried out by RAPPEL, to develop an optimal control strategy. The operations, which proven to be very effective, made it possible to significantly reduce the Eurasian watermilfoil in the lake. The association, which has accepted that the professional team use the drone at the research and development stage, is the first to benefit from the operationalization of the instrument.

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MEDIA REQUESTS:

Angélie Bellerose-Langlois | Coordonnatrice au marketing et aux communications | RAPPEL
819-636-0092, ext. 229
angelie.b.langlois@rappel.qc.ca

Sonia Patenaude | Communications Manager | Bishop’s University
819-342-2587
spatenau@ubishops.ca

Bishop’s University receives a $5 million gift for student scholarships

Scholarships to be named after retiring Principal Michael Goldbloom

Some donors, who have asked not to be named, have donated $5 million to Bishop’s University for student scholarships.

The scholarships, which the donors have asked to be called the “Michael Goldbloom Excellence Scholarships”, will provide $10,000 a year to first-year students of high academic achievement and character.

The $5 million gift will double an existing scholarship fund and will allow at least ten students per year to benefit from the scholarship throughout their undergraduate studies at Bishop’s.

“This is an extraordinary gift,” said Chancellor Daniel Fournier. “It is a fitting recognition of Michael’s commitment to academic excellence and his distinguished service to Bishop’s over fifteen years.”

“I have had the privilege of working with Michael over the last decade and witnessing the exceptional progress the University has made during his tenure,” said Robert Hall, Chair of Bishop’s Board of Governors.

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MEDIA INQUIRIES:

Sonia Patenaude

Communications Manager – Bishop’s University

819-342-2587 | sonia.patenaude@ubishops.ca

 

 

 

 

Bishop’s University to begin work on Kwigw8mna – Important project milestone reached with successful tender and additional funding

Bishop’s University is set to begin work this summer on Kwigw8mna, which means “our (and everyone’s) house” in the Abenaki language. The University recently approved a satisfactory bid for tender and has received significant funding from Québec’s Ministry of Higher Education, donors, and other sources.

Kwigw8mna, which will include a space dedicated to Indigenous students, will be a place to gather for talking and sharing, and a place to promote learning at the cultural and academic levels, is becoming a reality. Kwigw8mna is also intended to help students succeed and achieve their highest academic potential by working with them to make the most of the many resources available.

Kwigw8mna will also promote dialogue and interaction between Indigenous students and non-Indigenous students at Bishop’s, and will greatly contribute to teaching and research on topics of Indigenous interest. This phase of the project represents the culmination of years of work and dialogue that has engaged the entire Bishop’s community.

“I witnessed and worked on the evolution of the Kwigw8mna project through my years as a student and now as staff. It’s very rewarding to see this important initiative finally come to fruition through the sustained efforts of so many who deserve to be proud today. I am excited for the future of Kwigw8mna and how it will increase opportunities for intercultural learning, visibility, and community building!” indicates Shawna Chatterton Jerome ’21, Coordinator of Indigenous Student Support Services, and recent Bishop’s graduate.

“Kwigw8mna will provide a space for everyone to learn more about Indigenous perspectives and concerns, whether by visiting the house and interacting with Indigenous members of the Community, but also by being a resource where research on these topics lives and develops in real time in our community,” adds Dr. Genner Llanes- Ortiz, Canada Research Chair in Digital Indigeneities, of Bishop’s Sociology Department.

“We hope Kwigw8mna illustrates our welcoming of everyone on Abenaki territory. We are very pleased for the deep bonds of trust and friendship we have developed with members of the community of Bishop’s University, and we hope they endure,” remarks Richard O’Bomsawin, Chief – Abenaki of Odanak Council.

“The Abenaki are the original stewards of the land on which Bishop’s is situated. I am grateful to Chief O’Bomsawin for proposing the name Kwigw8mna, as it captures our aspiration that this building will be a home for our Indigenous students and faculty and for the Bishop’s community at large,” declares Michael Goldbloom, C.M., Principal and Vice-Chancellor of Bishop’s University.

“I am very proud to confirm an additional investment of $4.8 million for the realization of the Kwigw8mna project at Bishop’s University. A place like this will really allow Indigenous cultures to shine within the University. Higher education is an important vector of development for all communities, but even more so for Indigenous communities. Promoting access to higher education for students from these communities is essential for our government! “, says Pascale Déry, Minister of Higher Education.

“I can only applaud this project which will provide a meeting place for Indigenous students, professors and researchers who frequent the campus. The spaces have been designed by and for Indigenous communities, with the aim of encouraging intercultural exchanges. We must highlight this aspect, because it is through exchanges that we learn, that we grow, and that we can aspire to this spirit of reconciliation. Thank you to all the stakeholders of this beautiful project!” says Geneviève Hébert, MNA for Saint-François and Deputy Government Whip.

The funding sources for the $16.3M project are as follows:

  • Government of Québec special capital funds (PQI): $10.7M
  • Government of Québec regular capital fund (PQI): $2M
  • Bishop’s University operating fund: $1.9M
  • Philanthropic contributions: $1M
  • Government of Canada: $700,000K

Work is expected to begin early in August.

“When the project is completed, Kwigw8mna will further demonstrate Bishop’s University’s commitment to offering a student-centred learning environment in an inclusive and respectful community. It also reflects our commitment to sustainability through the preservation of one of the oldest buildings on campus,” adds Isabelle Goyette, Vice-Principal Finance and Administration.

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MEDIA INQUIRIES:

Sonia Patenaude
Manager of Communications
819-342-2587 | sonia.patenaude@ubishops.ca