51³Ô¹Ï

 

 

 

 

 

 

News & Commentary

Latest News

Exciting news for Atlantic Canada’s business and academic communities! 🚀

The 51³Ô¹Ï (51³Ô¹Ï) and the (ACC) are officially launching the Prosperity Charter—a landmark initiative uniting our universities and employers around a shared mission: developing and retaining our region’s future workforce.

The charter is an open invitation for employers across Atlantic Canada to publicly commit to championing our students and young professionals. By working together, we can strengthen our regional talent pipeline, boost graduate retention, and ensure local businesses have the skilled, innovative workforce they need to drive long-term economic growth.

Let’s build a stronger, more prosperous Atlantic Canada—together.

Sign the Charter

2026

Through a first-of-its-kind partnership in Canada, the Council of Nova Scotia University Presidents (CONSUP) and the Canadian Military, Veteran and Family Connected Campus Consortium (CMVF3C) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on June 24, 2026, establishing a province-wide framework to better support military-connected learners across Nova Scotia’s universities.


Archives

2025

On Tuesday, February 11, 2025 members of the Council of Nova Scotia University Presidents (CONSUP) had the pleasure of being luncheon guests of The Honourable Mike Savage, ONS, Lieutenant Governor of Nova Scotia and Her Honour Ms. Darlene Savage at Government House in Halifax.

L to R: William (Bill) Lahey, President, University of King’s College; Jana Macalik, Acting President, NSCAD University; Dr. Joël Dickinson, President, Mount Saint Vincent University; Dr. Andy Hakin, President, St. Francis Xavier University; His Honour Lt. Governor Mike Savage; Her Honour, Darlene Savage; Peter Halpin, Executive Director, 51³Ô¹Ï; Dr. Kim Brooks, President, Dalhousie University; Dr. Rob Summerby-Murray, President, Saint Mary’s University and the Rev. Dr. Heather McCance, President, Atlantic School of Theology.
2024

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.

The Hon. Arthur J. LeBlanc, ON S, KC, Lieutenant Governor of Nova Scotia & Rev. Dr. Heather McCance, President, Atlantic School of Theology
The Hon. Arthur J. LeBlanc, ON S, KC, Lieutenant Governor of Nova Scotia & David Dingwall, President and Vice-Chancellor, Cape Breton University
The Hon. Arthur J. LeBlanc, ON S, KC, Lieutenant Governor of Nova Scotia & William Lahey, President and Vice-Chancellor, University of King’s College
The Hon. Arthur J. LeBlanc, ON S, KC, Lieutenant Governor of Nova Scotia & Dr. Joël Dickinson, President and Vice-Chancellor, Mount Saint Vincent University
The Hon. Arthur J. LeBlanc, ON S, KC, Lieutenant Governor of Nova Scotia & Dr. Robert Summerby-Murray, President and Vice-Chancellor, Saint Mary’s University
The Hon. Arthur J. LeBlanc, ON S, KC, Lieutenant Governor of Nova Scotia & Dr. Andrew Hakin, President & Vice Chancellor, St. Francis Xavier University
The Hon. Arthur J. LeBlanc, ON S, KC, Lieutenant Governor of Nova Scotia & Dr. Kenneth Deveau, Recteur et Vice-Chancelier, Université Sainte-Anne
StFX was presented with the Joel Jacobson ‘Bright Spot’ Medal for its dedication to the community and longstanding support of Special Olympics. Athlete Kate Isnor and Mike Greek, CEO of Special Olympics Nova Scotia, presented the award to StFX President Dr. Andy Hakin and Associate Vice-President Bob Hale at the Bill Stanish and Friends Luncheon in Support of Special Olympics on November 7, 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.

Back: Dr. Kenneth Deveau, Recteur, Université Sainte-Anne; Matt Hebb, VP Government and Global Relations, Dalhousie University; Don Bureaux, President, Nova Scotia Community College; Peter Halpin, Executive Director, 51³Ô¹Ï; His Worship Mike Savage, Mayor, Halifax Regional Municipality; Dr. Rob Summerby-Murray, President, Saint Mary’s University, Prof. Bill Lahey, President, University of King’s College
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, 51³Ô¹Ï; Francesca Southwell, SMU Students Association and Dr. Ather Akbari, Event Chair. Atlantic Research Group, Saint Mary’s University.

Peter Halpin, Executive Director, 51³Ô¹Ï, 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. 

  • T
2023
  • August 16, 2023 –
  • July 18, 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 51³Ô¹Ï (51³Ô¹Ï) 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!
Dr. Jean-Paul Boudreau, President, Mount Allison University
Dr. Paul Mazerolle, President, University of New Brunswick with the Hon. Brenda L. Murphy, ONB, Lieutenant Governor of New Brunswick
2022
  • At an investiture ceremony held at Government House on October 18, 2022, the Honourable Arthur J. LeBlanc, Lieutenant Governor of Nova Scotia, presented 51³Ô¹Ï (51³Ô¹Ï) 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!
The Hon. Arthur J. LeBlanc and Dr. Peter Ricketts
The Hon. Arthur J. LeBlanc and Dr. Robert Summerby-Murray
The Hon. Arthur J. LeBlanc and Dr. Andrew Hakin
The Hon. Arthur J. LeBlanc and Rev. Canon Neale Bennet
The Hon. Arthur J. LeBlanc and Prof. William Lahey
Dr. Peter Ricketts, Dr. Robert Summerby-Murray, Don Bureaux (President, NSCC), The Hon. Arthur J. LeBlanc, Dr. Andrew Hakin, Rev. Canon Neale Bennet and Prof. William Lahey
Dr. Peter Ricketts, Dr. Robert Summerby-Murray, Don Bureaux (President, NSCC), Dr. Andrew Hakin, Rev. Canon Neale Bennet and Prof. William Lahey
2021
2020