The world continues to face multiple, compounding crises that cut across society, health, the environment, technology and the economy.
Join us at the Global Futures event series to see how the University of Waterloo is collaborating across disciplines and industries to turn these challenges into opportunities for change. Attendees will hear from experts in their fields and connect with like-minded innovators.
Our global futures
The future we imagine for humanity and our planet is at the core of our Global Futures. Waterloo researchers, students, alumni and partners are developing interdisciplinary solutions to drive meaningful change.
Upcoming events
Singapore
Global Futures in Focus: Singapore
Monday, February 23, 2026 | 7 to 9 p.m. | The Exchange at Singapore Land Tower, Singapore
Join fellow alumni, students and friends for a special event celebrating the University of Waterloo community in Singapore.
The event will include a fireside chat led by Dr. Jagdeep Singh Bachher (BASc ’93, MASc ’94, PhD ’00), chancellor of Waterloo. We invite you to learn about Waterloo’s unique vision for the future while connecting with University leaders, including the president and faculty deans.
Hong Kong
Global Futures in Focus: Hong Kong
Wednesday, February 25, 2026 | 7 to 9 p.m. | JW Marriott Hong Kong
Join fellow alumni, students and friends for a special event celebrating the University of Waterloo community in Hong Kong.
The event will feature a fireside chat with Neil Shen, a trailblazer in global venture capital and the founding and managing partner of HSG, moderated by Dr. Jagdeep Singh Bachher (BASc ’93, MASc ’94, PhD ’00), chancellor of the University of Waterloo. Together, they will explore how exceptional businesses are built, emerging opportunities in Hong Kong, and the critical role universities play in supporting those opportunities.
Past events
London, UK
Transformative Financial Futures: A fireside chat with Sir Ron Kalifa and Jagdeep Singh Bachher
Tuesday, November 11 | 6 to 9 p.m. BT | Space39, London, UK
How can global capital drive innovation, sustainability and large-scale transformation?
Join Dr. Jagdeep Singh Bachher (BASc ’93, MASc ’94, PhD ’00), chancellor of the University of Waterloo, who will discuss this question and more with Sir Ron Kalifa, vice chair, private equity at Brookfield.
Seattle, WA
Global Futures in Focus: Seattle reception
Thursday, October 16 | 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. PT | Amazon, Seattle, WA
Join fellow entrepreneurs, industry leaders and visionaries for an exclusive alumni event.
The event will include a reception and fireside chat with Beryl Tomay (BMath ‘05), vice-president, transportation at Amazon.
Connect with like-minded innovators, including University of Waterloo Deans and leaders, to network and discuss solutions we imagine for the future.
Vancouver, BC
Bold Urban Futures: How to build healthier, more resilient communities
Wednesday, October 15 | 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. PT | TELUS Garden, Vancouver, BC
How can we shape the future of urban life in Canada and beyond?
Hosted in partnership with TELUS at the iconic TELUS Garden in downtown Vancouver — a symbol of urban sustainability and innovation — this special event will feature inspiring insights from the Future Cities Institute founded by CAIVAN and a preview of a bold national initiative to build healthier, more resilient communities.
San Francisco, CA
Global Futures in Focus: San Francisco
Tuesday, April 22 | 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. | Rippling, San Francisco, CA
Join innovators, industry leaders and visionaries for an exclusive alumni event in San Francisco, hosted at Rippling.
Dr. Jagdeep Singh Bachher (BASc ’93, MASc ’94, PhD ’00), Waterloo’s newly appointed chancellor, will join Matei Zaharia (BMath ’07), co-founder and CTO of Databricks, for a fireside chat about innovation, AI and the future of technology.
New York City, NY
Resilient Economic Futures: A fireside chat with Larry Fink and Jagdeep Singh Bachher
Tuesday, April 8 | 4 to 7 p.m. | BlackRock HQ, New York City
What are the major trends driving financial markets today and into the future? How are forces like technology and geopolitics reshaping the global economy?
On April 8, Dr. Jagdeep Singh Bachher (BASc ’93, MASc ’94, PhD ’00), chancellor of the University of Waterloo, will join Larry Fink, chairman and chief executive officer of BlackRock, to discuss the future of the economy, as part of the Global Futures Event Series.
Global Futures in Focus
Global Futures in Focus examines the intersections of the transformational forces guiding our future and that space in between where solutions can be uncovered to make the world a better place for all. You’ll hear from former chancellor Dominic Barton alongside leading experts from the University of Waterloo on the challenges and solutions that are shaping our future.
