Equity and entrepreneurship are vital to the University of Waterloo.
A strong value system is central to our open and innovative culture, and entrepreneurship is an area of increasing importance not only to Waterloo, but to generating economic opportunity for our researchers and students, for Canada, and the world.
To ensure these two priority areas see robust and meaningful progress over the coming months and years, I am delighted to announce that the new roles of Special Advisor to the President, Women’s and Gender Issues, and Special Advisor to the President, Entrepreneurship, have been filled.
Professor Diana C. Parry will assume the role of Special Advisor, Women’s and Gender Issues, effective July 1, 2013. Professor Parry is a distinguished researcher and teacher in our faculty of Applied Health Sciences, and an active member of the university community through her chairpersonship of the Faculty Association’s Status of Women and Equity Committee and her contribution to the University Senate.
As Special Advisor, Women’s and Gender Issues, Professor Parry will work with senior administration, faculty, and the Director of Equity to advise on policy and structural level gender equity issues, and to help foster a supportive environment in which female faculty can maximize their career opportunities. Professor Parry will lead the development of a long-range plan, with clear and actionable goals, to guide and track measurable progress in this portfolio.
Professor Howard M. Armitage will assume the role of Special Advisor, Entrepreneurship, effective September 1, 2013. Professor Armitage is Founding Director of the Conrad Business, Entrepreneurship, and Technology Centre at the University of Waterloo, and is the Gordon H. Cowperthwaite Professor of Accounting at the School of Accounting and Finance. He is the recipient of the 3M Teaching Fellowship Award, the LS Rosen Outstanding Educator Award and the University of Waterloo Distinguished Teaching Award.
As Special Advisor, Entrepreneurship, Professor Armitage will co-ordinate and plan campus-wide entrepreneurship capacity. Specifically, he will work towards greater integration of academic and non-academic entrepreneurship activities, and work with campus and community partners to advise on policies and activities that will lay the groundwork for creating a campus-wide entrepreneurship entity.
As the University of Waterloo works toward the implementation of our new Strategic Plan, and continues its rise as a world-class innovation university, these two individuals will be valued members of my team, and make significant contributions to our community’s culture, capabilities, and reputation.
Please join me in congratulating Professor Parry and Professor Armitage on their appointments.
Sincerely,
Feridun Hamdullahpur
President and Vice-Chancellor
University of Waterloo