Joy Ikede Award

Granted annually to an international student entering undergraduate studies at UPEI for their first degree. Preference will be given to a student entering UPEI from Nigeria. This award is created in honour of Joy Ikede, who celebrated her 70th birthday in October 2016, by a former colleague and kindred spirit who was hired by Joy for their first job at the university as the student coordinator of the International Buddy Program. Joy Ikede was UPEI's first International Student Advisor and began her career with UPEI in 2000. During her time at UPEI, Joy was instrumental in establishing International Development Week in addition to the seasonal gathering for international students. Joy spent a significant amount of time raising awareness of intercultural education on campus, in addition to internationalizing the campus and enabling positive transitions for international students. Whether she was welcoming midnight arrivals at the airport or sharing her delicious home cooked cuisine; her impromptu office happy dances or her all-encompassing hugs, Joy gave everything she had to her students and colleagues. Over her many years of service, literally thousands of students found their place, and their home, at UPEI because of Joy Ikede.