New Brunswick continues to enjoy sunny, warm, summer-like weather. Fortunately, we have not had the distress of forest fires and smoke that some of our alumni have experienced in British Columbia. We send our most sincere wishes that the fires will soon come to an end, the atmosphere will clear and those who have left their homes will soon return.
I'm excited to share with you that our faculty of kinesiology has a new home at UNB Fredericton. This outstanding, world-class facility was celebrated on Aug. 1 at the official opening event. The potential for study, research and innovation, in collaboration with The Richard J. CURRIE CENTER is unlimited. During Homecoming, we will further celebrate the opening of this new facility, as well as over 60 years of teaching and learning in the Lady Beaverbrook Gym on Sept. 28 and 29. Be sure to visit unb.ca/lbgym for more information.
Last summer, Canada's very first metal 3D printing research centre geared towards the marine and defense industries was launched at UNB. Dubbed the Marine Additive Manufacturing Centre of Excellence (MAMCE), the new facility is a partnership between UNB, Custom Fabricators and Machinists, and community colleges in the provinces of New Brunswick and Nova Scotia. This past July, MAMCE received more than $5 million in government support.
New Brunswick has been identified by Surrey BC’s Health and Technology District as the site of the first phase of its Atlantic Canadian division. With this initiative, Saint John is set to become the hub for digital health in Atlantic Canada. Digital health refers to the umbrella of technological advances for health and healthy living, and is transforming health care worldwide.
UNB has not melted into the lazy, hazy days of summer, but has continued to explore areas of growth and development, improving the learning experiences of students at the undergraduate and graduate levels. Attending these and other announcements this summer continues to impress upon me the influence of UNB on the local, provincial and national economy. Partnerships and critical thinking -- working toward solutions that offer improvements in health care, education and in industry -- have become key areas of focus. Our students will be the first beneficiaries of this vision and our citizens will follow close behind.
The research showcase at Homecoming is one of my favourite events. It is so impressive to witness presentations of the research and innovation in many of our faculties. Join me for this and the many events of Homecoming 2018, taking place Sept. 27-30; and be sure to come decked out in your red and black for our third annual UNB Oktoberfest celebration in Saint John at Market Square on Oct. 12. We look forward to reconnecting with our alumni and celebrating with you this fall.
Jill (MEd'02)
