Building a world-changer
In 1957, innovation and entrepreneurship brought the University of Waterloo into being, as a group of business leaders imagined a new university built to tackle some of the world’s most daunting challenges.
It was the age of the Cold War and the space race when a single computer filled a room. Discoveries in science, medicine and engineering were coming fast and furious. Industry leaders in Kitchener-Waterloo knew moving forward meant more than just training people in the technology of the day.
![Waterloo builders: J. Gerald Hagey (left), Ira G. Needles(centre) and Reverend Cornelius Siegfried (right).](/about/sites/default/files/uploads/images/history-three-founders.jpg)
Waterloo builders: J. Gerald Hagey (left), Ira G. Needles(centre) and Reverend Cornelius Siegfried (right).
![Waterloo's first building, Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, is completed in December 1958.](/about/sites/default/files/uploads/images/cropped_chemistry_and_chemical_engineering_building.jpeg)
Waterloo's first building, Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, is completed in December 1958.
![In the early 1960s, mathematics professor Wes Graham made Waterloo among the first universities in the world to give undergraduates access to state-of-the-art computers](/about/sites/default/files/uploads/images/1_0_0.jpeg)
In the early 1960s, mathematics professor Wes Graham made Waterloo among the first universities in the world to give undergraduates access to state-of-the-art computers
![The first co-op program outside of engineering is established in the Department of Physics in 1962.](/about/sites/default/files/uploads/images/3_0.png)
The first co-op program outside of engineering is established in the Department of Physics in 1962.
![Former presidents James Downey (left) and Doug Wright (right).](/about/sites/default/files/uploads/images/2_0_0.jpeg)
Former presidents James Downey (left) and Doug Wright (right).
![In 1975, the first Arts co-op stream begins for Economics students, demonstrating the value of co-operative education in all fields.](/about/sites/default/files/uploads/images/4.jpeg)
In 1975, the first Arts co-op stream begins for Economics students, demonstrating the value of co-operative education in all fields.
![David Johnston, Waterloo's 5th President, formerly serving as the 28th Governor General of Canada.](/about/sites/default/files/uploads/images/3.jpeg)
David Johnston, Waterloo's 5th President, formerly serving as the 28th Governor General of Canada.
![Canada’s only pharmacy co-op program the School of Pharmacy and Health Sciences Campus opens in downtown Kitchener in 2006.](/about/sites/default/files/uploads/images/5.jpeg)
Canada’s only pharmacy co-op program the School of Pharmacy and Health Sciences Campus opens in downtown Kitchener in 2006.
![In 2003, the William M. Tatham Centre for Cooperative Education and Career Services opens, the largest building dedicated to co-operative services at a Canadian university.](/about/sites/default/files/uploads/images/william_m_tatham_centre_0.jpeg)
In 2003, the William M. Tatham Centre for Cooperative Education and Career Services opens, the largest building dedicated to co-operative services at a Canadian university.
![In 2004, Biologist John Thompson discovered gene eIF5A — a "death switch" in plants and animals that determines whether cells live or die which also enhances crop yields and combat cancer and other diseases.](/about/sites/default/files/uploads/images/6.jpeg)
In 2004, Biologist John Thompson discovered gene eIF5A — a "death switch" in plants and animals that determines whether cells live or die which also enhances crop yields and combat cancer and other diseases.
![In 2007, the largest amount awarded to any Canadian university,the Canadian Foundation for Innovation announces a $33M grant to the University of Waterloo.](/about/sites/default/files/uploads/images/cropped_foundation.jpeg)
In 2007, the largest amount awarded to any Canadian university,the Canadian Foundation for Innovation announces a $33M grant to the University of Waterloo.
![The first and only live-in campus-linked accelerator in Canada St. Paul’s GreenHouse Social Impact Incubator, established in 2013.](/about/sites/default/files/uploads/images/7.jpeg)
The first and only live-in campus-linked accelerator in Canada St. Paul’s GreenHouse Social Impact Incubator, established in 2013.
![University of Waterloo has a $2.6 billion per year economic impact in Ontario according to a 2013 Economic Impact Report.](/about/sites/default/files/uploads/images/cropped_trudeau.jpeg)
University of Waterloo has a $2.6 billion per year economic impact in Ontario according to a 2013 Economic Impact Report.
![Startups launched by Waterloo researchers, students and alumni: BlackBerry, Clearpath Robotics, D2L, Kik Interactive, Maplesoft, MappedIn, OpenText, Vidyard](/about/sites/default/files/uploads/images/8.jpeg)
Startups launched by Waterloo researchers, students and alumni: BlackBerry, Clearpath Robotics, D2L, Kik Interactive, Maplesoft, MappedIn, OpenText, Vidyard
![Today, Waterloo has more than 203,000 graduates in 152 countries.](/about/sites/default/files/uploads/images/cropped_convocation_2011_homepage_photo.jpeg)
Today, Waterloo has more than 203,000 graduates in 152 countries.
![On October 2, 2018, Professor Donna Strickland is awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics. Strickland is the third woman in history to receive this prestigious honour.](/about/sites/default/files/uploads/images/9.jpeg)
On October 2, 2018, Professor Donna Strickland is awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics. Strickland is the third woman in history to receive this prestigious honour.
![Dominic Barton installed as the University's 11th chancellor October 27, 2018.](/about/sites/default/files/uploads/images/dominic-barton_1.jpeg)
Dominic Barton installed as the University's 11th chancellor October 27, 2018.
![Waterloo Professor and Physicist Avery Broderick helps capture first image of a black hole and unveils it to the world April 10, 2019.](/about/sites/default/files/uploads/images/10.jpeg)
Waterloo Professor and Physicist Avery Broderick helps capture first image of a black hole and unveils it to the world April 10, 2019.
![In the wake of 2020's global pandemic, Waterloo moves online, seeing the largest Spring Term class learning remotely in Canada.](/about/sites/default/files/uploads/images/mzi4ntuz.jpg-s.jpg)
In the wake of 2020's global pandemic, Waterloo moves online, seeing the largest Spring Term class learning remotely in Canada.
![Computer rendering on Innovation Arena building](/about/sites/default/files/uploads/images/innovation-arena-rendering.jpg)
Innovation Arena, a collaboration space located on the Health Sciences Campus in downtown Kitchener, started construction in 2023.