It's that time of year when, once again, I "retire" my blog for the summer.I want to take this opportunity to salute your efforts: the months of studying and course work, your participation in various extracurricular activities, and your dedication and commitment to various volunteer initiatives have been most impressive.

Most of you have finished your exams and papers and are off to summer jobs, visits with family and friends, or trips to exotic places-or perhaps more studies in the form of university courses that interest you! However you choose to spend your time, I wish you a happy, productive and safe summer. I look forward to welcoming you back here in the fall to begin what I hope will be another exciting and memorable year for all of the university community.

Although the blog is taking a summer break, we're always open for your comments, so post them through the "Let's Talk" Suggestion Box.

Here are a few photos from my trip to Africa. Included are shots taken outside a high school in Kampala, Uganda, where I was asked to speak about the purpose of my visit to Africa, as well as an article from Al Maghribia, which talks about the speech I gave at a pre-conference dinner organized jointly by the University of Ottawa's Faculty of Education and the Moroccan Center for Civic Education.

At Gulu University, located in northern Uganda, solar panels are used to power computer laboratories. Some 50 desktop and 26 laptop computers allow students to access content online.

This is Pauline. She is 19. She is in Grade 10 at the Pader Girls'  Academy, which is funded by The Uganda Fund.

When she was 11, Pauline was abducted by the LRA and spent 7 years as their captive. She underwent a horrific ordeal surrounded by violence and horror in the bush. Pauline is one of scores of former sex slaves who now learn and live in the safety of the Pader Girls' Academy, receiving a high school education. The vast majority of the girls have babies as a result of rape. They are therefore not eligible for Ugandan public schools.

Pauline was elected Head Girl of the Academy recently. She is a most impressive young woman. And what a testament to the strength of the human spirit!

I have been to several towns and villages in northern Uganda visiting existing and potential development and recovery projects as part of my work with the NGO The Uganda Fund. I’ve included a few photos to give you a sense of the work being done in northern Uganda.

Un enfant dans la région Gulu | Child in Gulu Area

En attente de vaccination contre la Polio a Aroyo | Lining up in Aroyo for Polio Shot

Université Gulu | Gulu University

Nos ordinateurs à l'oeuvre | Using our computers