The year 2004 was officially proclaimed by Premier Pat Binns today as the Year of Learning and Innovation in Prince Edward Island. The celebration will commemorate 200 years of learning and innovation, dating back to 1804 when Lieutenant Governor Edmund Fanning set aside ten town lots for the first college in the province.

Premier Binns advised that Prince Edward Island's strong commitment to higher learning over the past two centuries provides great reason to celebrate. "Today, UPEI has become known as one of Canada's greatest small universities, Holland College has become a leader in the delivery of specialized training opportunities, and the Atlantic Veterinary College has gained an international reputation in animal and health research," said the premier. "Academic excellence, combined with our growing spirit of community collaboration, has positioned us to perform better than ever before in the new economy which is based on knowledge, research and innovation."

At the launch of the event at the Atlantic Technology Centre in Charlottetown, Premier Binns and UPEI president Wade MacLauchlan outlined many of the learning and innovation achievements of Islanders over the past 200 years.

Following the dedication of land for a college in 1804, Kent College was established in 1820. The Central Academy, founded in 1834, later became Prince of Wales College, and then Holland College in 1969. The University of Prince Edward Island was established in 1969, followed by the Atlantic Veterinary College in 1986, and Soci?t? ?ducative de l??le-du-Prince-?douard in 1992. In recent years, the private training school sector has become well established.

Over the years, Islanders contributed to many significant innovations in agriculture, shipbuilding, and the fishing industries. Today, Island businesses and institutions continue to innovate in such areas as renewable energy, aerospace, and bio-active research and development.

Development and Technology Minister Mike Currie advised that the Year of Learning and Innovation provides private and public sector organizations with strategic opportunities to celebrate and showcase their achievements and plans. ?We will celebrate 200 years of innovation on PEI by continuing to encourage and support innovative research and development. We will encourage all Islanders to use their talents for finding a better way to do things - and turning that talent into job and wealth creation for us all, " he said.

Education Minister Chester Gillan said planning is well underway to celebrate the year within the school system. "The year provides us with an excellent opportunity to celebrate the rich history of education in P.E.I., to increase awareness of changing learning and labour market needs, and to further engage our partners in building a culture of learning in our province," he said.

Jeanette MacAulay, Vice-President of Development and External Relations at Holland College said "in the newly proclaimed Year of Learning and Innovation on Prince Edward Island, Holland College will focus on three areas of celebration: its namesake, Samuel Holland, its graduates and the College's Island community."

UPEI President MacLauchlan underscored the importance of the bicentennial as "a celebration of the complete history of our achievements in learning and innovation, and a recognition of the many talented people who have contributed to Prince Edward Island and the world."

A special logo was designed for the celebration by Danielle Wilkins, a recent graduate of the Holland College Graphic Design program. "The logo represents Island education and change. An open book on a desk depicts education and the Island. The turning pages of the book resemble the caps of the ocean rolling onto the sand and each wave or turn of the page is something new, a change or innovation representing the past 200 years." Danielle said.

For more information on the Year of Learning and Innovation, contact Heather Orford, Department of Education, 902 368 5984.