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Congratulations to our CONSUP presidents awarded the King Charles III Coronation Medal, in recognition of their contributions to education, on November 28, 2024 by His Honour, the Honourable Arthur J. LeBlanc, Lieutenant Governor of Nova Scotia.









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2024

Metro Halifax university and NSCC presidents, along with other members of the Halifax Higher Education Partnership (HHEP), recently met to pay tribute to the leadership of HHEP Chair Mayor Mike Savage during his 12-years as Mayor. Mayor Savage was recognized by HHEP members for being a true champion for the value and contribution of the higher education sector to the growth and vibrancy of Halifax Regional Municipality (HRM) and its successful positioning as an education destination nationally and internationally.

Front: Wendy Luther, President & CEO, Halifax Partnership; Dr. Peggy Shannon, President, NSCAD University; Rev. Dr. Heather McCance, President, Atlantic School of Theology; Dr. Joël Dickinson, President, Mount Saint Vincent University

Seen here at the conclusion of the session are (left to right): Dr. Tony Fang, Jarislowsky, Chair in Economic and Cultural Transformation, Memorial University of Newfoundland; Peter Halpin, AAU; Francesca Southwell, SMU Students Association and Dr. Ather Akbari, Event Chair. Atlantic Research Group, Saint Mary’s University.
Peter Halpin, Executive Director, AAU, was a panelist at a recent gathering at Saint Mary’s University hosted by the Atlantic Research Group, entitled Immigration and Skilled Labour Force in Atlantic Canada: The role of employers and international students. He added commentary on a recent research study about the lived experience of international students in the region.
- Tom Mulcair. “Our universities are the light of the world. Stop selling them short.” Op-ed. 16 January 2024.
- Margaret Brigley & Margaret Chapman. “Is more air access needed in our region?” Op-ed. January 2024.
2023
- “Why universities warrant public investment: Preparing student for living together well.” Jennifer S. Simpson. The Conversation, 14 December 2023.
- Peter Halpin. “Atlantic universities are committed to working with all levels of government to address the housing needs of students in a responsible and sustainable way.” Op-Ed. 28 September 2023.
- Perspective: “Smashing the queer ceiling: Leaders show the way.” Julie Cafley, Contributor. Saltwire, 13 September 2023.
- August 16, 2023 – Universities, colleges and province collaborate to attract students through Study NB
- July 18, 2023 – Former St. Thomas University President Russell Honoured with Portrait Unveiling and Naming of Student Lounge
- “An inspiring journey with Dr. Joël Dickinson, President and Vice-Chancellor of Mount Saint Vincent University.” The Trailblazer – Business Voice Magazine. March 2023.
- “Mount Saint Vincent University president, Joël Dickinson, on International Women’s Day.’ Universities Canada, 08 March 2023.
- “Eliminate tuition for nursing students, university president urges province.” Denis Prud’homme, Université de Moncton. CBC News – New Brunswick, 02 March 2023.
- Remarks by Dr. Jean-Paul Boudreau, President & Vice-Chancellor, Mount Allison University and Member, AAU Executive Committee. IRCC Atlantic Dialogue Session ‘The Future of Canada’s Immigration System’, Pier 21, Halifax, N.S. 23 February 2023.
- At an investiture ceremony held at Government House on February 14, 2023, the Honourable Brenda L. Murphy, ONB, Lieutenant Governor of New Brunswick, presented Association of Atlantic Universities (AAU) presidents Dr. Jean-Paul Boudreau, Mount Allison University, and Dr. Paul Mazerolle, University of New Brunswick with the Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee Medal in recognition of their leadership in higher education. Congratulations!


2022
- Peter Halpin. “Atlantic Canadian universities need a level playing field.” Op-Ed. The Chronicle Herald, 29 November 2022.
- Atlantic Canada: visa students 15.5% up as region looks for graduate retention. The PIE News. 02 November 2022.
- The Association of Registrars of the Colleges and Universities of Canada (ARUCC) is delighted to announce that Nova Scotia will begin a province-wide implementation of the ARUCC MyCreds™ | MesCertif™ National Network
- At an investiture ceremony held at Government House on October 18, 2022, the Honourable Arthur J. LeBlanc, Lieutenant Governor of Nova Scotia, presented Association of Atlantic Universities (AAU) presidents Dr. Peter Ricketts, Acadia University; Dr. Robert Summerby-Murray, Saint Mary’s University; Dr. Andrew Hakin, St. Francis Xavier University; Rev. Canon Neale Bennet, Atlantic School of Theology (2015-2022); and Prof. William Lahey, University of King’s College with the Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee Medal in recognition of their leadership in higher education. Sincere congratulations to all!








- Remarks by Peter Halpin, Executive Director, AAU. Virtual Town Hall with The Hon. Sean Fraser, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). 13 October 2022.
- Peter Halpin. “Atlantic Canada’s campuses are immigration magnets.” Op-Ed. The Chronicle Herald, 17 May 2022.
- “Mount Allison University President among ABM’s Top 50 CEOs for 2022.” Mount Allison University, 13 May 2022.
- Vianne Timmons. “Life below water: Ocean research for a sustainable future.” Universities Canada, 30 March 2022.
2021
- Bill Lahey & Stephen MacDonald. “A transition to net-zero is within reach for Nova Scotia.” Op-Ed. SaltWire, 03 November 2021.
- “Infrastructure shortfall at Nova Scotia univeristies tops $1B.” CBC News Nova Scotia, 27 October 2021.
- “Enrolment up at New Brunswick universities, says Association of Atlantic Universities.” CBC News New Brunswick, 25 October 2021.
- “University enrolment in N.S. rebounds after COVID-19 dip last year.” CBC News Nova Scotia, 16 October 2021.
- “Post-secondary institutions play big role in economic, population growth.” SaltWire, 01 October 2021.
- Thinking Out Loud with Sheldon MacLeod. “Keeping COVID off campus.” Peter Halpin, Contributor. SaltWire, 26 August 2021.
- Dawn Russell. “Excellent pandemic response makes Atlantic Canada a magnet for university students.” Op-Ed. SaltWire. 06 August 2021.
- Dawn Russell. “Atlantic Canadian Universities Lead With COVID-Ready Campuses.” Commentary. New Canadian Media, 04 August 2021.
- “$7 billion of shovel-ready infrastructure projects identified across Canadian universities.” University Affairs, 17 March 2021.
- “Atlantic Canadians believe it is important that universities in the region are actively involved in COVID-19 related research.” Narrative Research, 17 March 2021.
- Peter Halpin. “Atlantic Universities calling on federal government for cash infusion for post-COVID infrastructure projects.” Op-Ed. The Chronicle Herald, 03 February 2021.
2020
- Peter Halpin. “Students spell success for Nova Scotia.” Letter. The Chronicle Herald, 11 January 2020.
- “Atlantic universities planning to reopen in fall.” SaltWire, 11 May 2020.