Development and External Relations Update

The Development and External Relations office UPDATE is a monthly summary of activities in the section and is published for your general information. If you have questions, please contact Jim Goit or call at (902) 893-7950

• External Relations
  • Jim, Rob Gordon and several other staff and students from NSAC travelled to PEI to attend the Cavendish FArm annual field day.  NSAC and Cavendish have developed a closer working relationship over the past year and now cooperate on a number of research projects.
  • Richard Ablett and Jim attended a conference all with representatives of all the provinces and Dutch government officials on activities in the Bio Science area were we have partnership opportunities. There will be follow up in some cases.
  • Jim attended a reception hosted by PricewaterhouseCoopers on FCC ventures. This subunit of FCC provides funding for business startups in Ag related areas and may be part of the funds picture for some business as AgriTECH park
  • The office arranged a lunch meeting and tour of NSAC for two representatives of NORA , an organization set up to facilitate cross border co-operation in the Nordic countries. It is made up of Norway, Iceland, the Faroe Islands, and Greenland and is looking to create links with Newfoundland, Nova Scotia and Nunavut   The group was lead by Ava Czapalay from Economic Development.  There will be some follow up on several areas of mutual interest.
  • Jim attended the Federal Ag minister's press conference in Kentville where the consultation on research in Canada was announced. This exercise will provide NSAC with the opportunity to present it's position on research priorities and our relationship with the Federal research program.
  • The background work for the Atlantic Agricultural Hall of Fame was completed in preparation for the induction in October.
  • Jim attended the BioNOVA conference with David Fullerton, NSAC new Industrial Liaison Officer, introducing him to  several key players in the Bio industry in the Atlantic region.
• Marketing
  • Coordinated a science panel of NSAC faculty/researchers to develop content for fall Marketing/Recruitment Campaign
  • Coordinated development of campaign elements including Virtual Interactive Counsellor (VIC), television ads, in-school posters, in-theatre posters and on-line advertisements, recruitment brochures, recruitment display material
  • Coordinated completion of market research for CDE
  • Presented to MSVU on career in Marketing-Communications
  • Redevelopment of first-year student survey into an on-line survey for more efficient data management
• Communications and Alumni
  • Jim arranged for visits around campus by a photographer taking pictures for supplement in the Halifax Herald..The internt is to show the science that is taking place and NSAC and highllight our students.
• Development and Fund Raising
  • Jim and Joanne completed the background work for the fall mail appeal.  This included significant updates to the address database, creation and testing of the appeal letter, getting quotes on the mailing and providing all materials to the printer.
  • There were a number of memorial gift opportunites during the month. Reprinted NSAC gift brochures were sent out to the Funeral Homes in the area.
  • preparations have started for the 2005 Induction Ceremony of the Atlantic Agricultural Hall of Fame, Nova Scotia's inductee is Eric A. Meek.

• Website
• The website was made ready for conversion to the new server early in the month.  There was discussion and work getting ready for the marketing campaign.