Faculty of Health co-op student, Sarah Bayrakdarian, shines among talented peers at Breast Cancer Survivorship and Supportive Care International Conference.
The University of Waterloo has teamed up with Google to establish a Google Chair in the Future of Work and Learning, backed by a $1 million investment, supporting new research and hands-on AI prototyping labs. The partnership cites Waterloo’s largest-in-Canada co-operative education program, which has long nurtured students to bring real-world experience into innovation and research, as a key reason Google selected the university. Through this collaboration, students will co-create AI-based learning technologies and directly engage in shaping how people interact with AI in future workplaces.
Hinduja Global Solutions (HGS), a global leader in customer experience and digital services, has chosen Waterloo for its new AI and data innovation centre—bringing 150 new jobs to the region. The company highlighted the area’s deep talent pool, including the University of Waterloo’s renowned co-op program, as a key factor in its decision. By tapping into Waterloo’s pipeline of skilled, work-ready students, HGS will strengthen its operations while giving students opportunities to apply their skills in AI, data analytics and customer experience on a global stage.
In a panel discussion at the 2023 THE MENA Universities Summit, experts including Anne-Marie Fannon, director of the Work-Learn Institute (WxL) at the University of Waterloo, explore how experiential learning can drive graduate success and talent development. The conversation emphasizes the importance of authentic, hands-on internships that empower students to lead, collaborate and build essential interpersonal skills. Fannon highlights that treating students as employees and giving them meaningful work leads to stronger outcomes for learners, institutions and employers. Through its global partnerships and leadership in work-integrated learning, the University of Waterloo continues to shape future-ready pathways for student success.
Dr. David Drewery, associate director of the University of Waterloo’s Work-Learn Institute (WxL), highlights how employers can better attract and retain Gen Z talent by understanding their distinct work values. His research reveals that Gen Z places particular importance on job stability, equity, and opportunities for growth, differentiating them from previous generations. Drewery emphasizes the role of work-integrated learning (WIL) programs, such as those led by Waterloo, in bringing together Gen Z and employers in authentic work environments where values and expectations can be exchanged and understood.
University of Waterloo student Henriëtta van Niekerk has created Skrimp.AI, a free AI-powered tool that helps families reduce their grocery bills by comparing local flyers, spotting the best deals and suggesting budget-friendly meal plans. Inspired by her own family’s experiences with food price inflation, Henriëtta combined skills gained through Waterloo’s co-op program to design something practical and impactful. Her work shows how students can leverage experiential learning to solve everyday challenges with innovation.
Richard Andrew “Dick” Pullin passed away on July 16, 2025, after more than three decades of building Waterloo’s co-operative education into a global leader. He joined the co-op department in 1970 as the first Science-stream co-ordinator, crafted job-matching processes, forged employer partnerships and later led national associations while editing the Journal of Co-operative Education. Pullin’s legacy lives on in the structures he built and the generations of students and educators he inspired.
In a CACEE blog post, Jessica Lang, associate director of Undergraduate Career Services at the University of Waterloo, explores how the Employability Capital Growth Model (ECGM) can enhance career programming and partnerships. The model identifies nine areas of employability capital and emphasizes the importance of embracing equity, diversity and inclusion in career development. The University of Waterloo aligns with the ECGM through its inclusive advising, reflective practices and strong work-integrated learning partnerships to support students’ holistic growth. The result is a more personalized, equitable approach to helping students build confidence and navigate their career paths.
In a conversation with National Skills Network, Dr. Norah McRae, associate provost of Co-operative and Experiential Education at the University of Waterloo, highlights the transformative impact of work-integrated learning (WIL) as a global solution for bridging academic theory with real-world application. Dr. McRae emphasizes WIL’s role in enhancing employability, fostering innovation and creating reciprocal value between students and employers. Drawing on Canadian and international frameworks, she shares strategies for building inclusive, high-quality WIL ecosystems.
In an HRD Talk episode, host Emily Douglas sits down with Judene Pretti, director of the Work-Learn Institute, and co-op student Maanasa Rajaguru, third-year Faculty of Arts co-op student, from the University of Waterloo to explore how employers can more effectively engage Gen Z talent. The conversation highlights Gen Z’s desire for meaningful work and a strong sense of belonging. Pretti and Rajaguru emphasize that young workers thrive when they’re treated as valued team members whose contributions align with broader organizational goals. To connect with the next generation, organizations must foster cultures centred on growth, continuous learning and purpose.