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Waterloo, Thomson Reuters partner on Big Data
Researchers from the University of Waterloo are partnering with global information company Thomson Reuters to launch a collaborative research investigation on large-scale data integration and data cleaning.
Professor Ihab F. Ilyas, Alexandra Roatis and Mina Farid from the David R. Cheriton School of Computer Science will lead the project, which will create algorithms to highlight anomalies in enterprise data sets aimed at improving data quality.
“Enterprises are heavily investing in collecting more relevant data to their business,” said Professor Ilyas. “While multiple options exist in building Big Data platforms and even more options are available for conducting reporting and analytics, data curation and cleaning remains the main obstacle in realizing the value of these investments. In this collaborative research project with Thomson Reuters, we tackle real enterprise data curation challenges.”
The Institute for Computer Research will also play a role in this collaborative project by promoting industrial interaction and by enhancing the research environment for both partners.
The project will be among a number of opportunities for collaborative research created by the establishment of Thomson Reuters Labs™ – Waterloo Region. The Lab will allow Thomson Reuters and the University of Waterloo to conduct applied data innovation research and experimentation on Thomson Reuters vast and unique data sets.
“We are excited to be working with Thomson Reuters on real enterprise data curation challenges. This partnership demonstrates Thomson Reuters understanding of how university researchers can contribute to, and benefit from, research collaboration,” said Vic DiCiccio, director of the University of Waterloo’s Institute for Computer Research.
Mona Vernon, Vice President, Data Innovation Lab at Thomson Reuters, explained that the company chose to launch Thomson Reuters Labs in the Waterloo Region due to its vibrant innovation ecosystem and the ability to bring together the energy of a world-class university, game-changing startup companies and global industry collaborations.
“We look forward to creating opportunities for research, student innovation and startup projects, and entrepreneurial contests and mentoring, and are thrilled to be working with Professor Ihab Ilyas and his team on this ground-breaking research,” said Vernon.
A message from your Keystone Campaign Chairs
Welcome to another exciting fall semester! We’re delighted to celebrate the start of the academic year with you.
Keystone’s fall campaign is ramping up early this year, with packages scheduled to arrive in mailboxes in just a couple of weeks. Keep your eyes open for your Keystone Calendar, along with a letter from a Waterloo student, Marina.
Marina had the chance to visit Cape Town, South Africa, to see how the city is adapting to climate change. Her fieldwork was made possible by an international travel award — one of many worthy causes that Keystone donors support.
We hope you’ll take a moment to read Marina’s story and see how our faculty, staff and retirees are contributing to projects all across campus. From new buildings like Student Health Services to scholarships to special program support, the uses of your gifts are as varied as they are valuable. Every dollar helps to make an impact.
Last year, our combined giving totaled over $1.35 million. This is a remarkable accomplishment — thank you to everyone who gave so generously!
Please join us again this year as we work to raise funds that will benefit thousands of students. Whether you give to an area that’s meaningful to you or to Waterloo’s highest priority, your gift will make a statement — that you believe in the work that’s happening here — and also encourage those outside of our campus community to give generously to Waterloo.
Your contributions to the University are all deeply appreciated. Thank you!
We hope to see you on campus soon,
James Skidmore
Paul McKone
Lynn Judge
Research Talks event tackles nutritional vulnerability
by Sabrina Hutchison.
An adequate and well-balanced diet is an important element of quality of life for everyone but even more so for those who are older, frail, and suffering from poor food intake.
Heather Keller, Waterloo Kinesiology professor and Schlegel Research Chair in Nutrition and Aging, is researching solutions to nutritional vulnerability in older adults and says there are many ways meal quality, mealtime experience, and meal access – the three biggest influencers of food intake – can be supported.
She will share how families can support older adults with this challenge and discuss the Making the Most of Mealtimes and More-2-Eat projects at the next session of Research Talks. The series, hosted by the Office of Research, celebrates research and provides an opportunity for staff, faculty, and students to learn more about some of the life-changing research underway at Waterloo.
To join Heather on October 2, please register as seating is limited and registration will close when room capacity is reached. Waterloo President Feridun Hamdullahpur will open the session. Feel free to bring your lunch – light refreshments will be provided.
Senate meets today and other notes
The University of Waterloo's Senate will have its first meeting of the fall term today at 3:30 p.m. in NH 3001. There are a number of items for information and for action on the agenda, including:
- The approval of the implementation of a coursework option in the experimental digital media plan in English Language & Literature;
- A motion to approve changes to the degree requirements for graduate plans in psychology;
- A motion to approve changes to comprehensive examination milestone in Electrical and Computer Engineering;
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A motion to approve changes to provide a non-degree admissions option for the School of Pharmacy; and
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Approval of an amendment to the aegrotat designation in the grades and grading section of the calendar. Aergrotat refers to credit granted due to illness and the definition will be expanded to other extenuating circumstances.
In addition, senate will consider a number of academic plan changes and inactivations.
Also up for approval is the revised Institutional Quality Assurance Process document, which is being submitted for final approval after its initial approval at the May 2015 Senate meeting and further ratification at the August 2015 meeting of the Quality Council.
Senators will be asked to approve the terms of reference for a mid-term break. Currently, the University has no specific guidelines to define the purpose of the mid-term break or any general approach to the treatment of studies during such a break, and the new terms of reference have been reviewed and were endorsed by Senate Undergraduate Council in February 2015 and by Senate Graduate & Research Council in June 2015.
Senators will also hear a presentation by Dr. Ben Thompson, associate professor of the School of Optometry and Vision Science.
"The Feds Open House will be held on September 21 from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.," writes Jacqueline Martinz. "Full-time and part-time staff for the Federation of Students will be all over the Student Life Centre to speak with undergraduates. Undergraduates will be able to ask about the Health and Dental Plan, co-op placements in the IT and Marketing and Communications departments, roles at services like The Women’s Centre, and the Volunteer Centre, and much more."
"The Open House will have a Connect 4 theme (the popular game), and undergraduates will also be able to play it. Delicious, free food and other items will be handed out at the event."
More information is available online.
The Pension Team from Human Resources will be offering a Lunch and Learn Pension session on Thursday, September 24 in RCH 101 from 12:00 to 1:00 p.m.
This session is entitled “Forms of Pension and Other Considerations”. "Our discussion will focus on the various forms of pension options available at retirement, the Vacation Exchange (formerly 2 per cent exchange), Reduced Workload to Retirement (Policy 59), Post-Retirement Benefits and we will also touch on Government Benefits," says a note from Human Resources. "We will also talk about other retirement considerations aside from the financial aspects."
"We look forward to having you join us and feel free to bring your lunch!"
Members of the pension team will be available after the session to answer questions.
The deadline for the University of Waterloo Staff Association's 11th annual Pennsylvania shopping trip has been extended to Friday, September 25. The trip will take place from November 6 to November 8. Anyone with questions is invited to contact hosts Sue Fraser at fraser@uwaterloo.ca and Peggy Day at pday@uwaterloo.ca.
"The men's golf program is 50 years old at Waterloo," writes coach Dave Hollinger. "The women and men's team will be celebrating this anniversary with a golf tournament at the Cambridge Golf Course on Saturday, September 26, 1:00 p.m. shotgun start." Participants can form a team at $500 or enter as an individual for $125 in this fundraising event that includes lunch, dinner, golf, carts, prizes and a silent auction. "We will even match you up with a varsity golfer," writes Hollinger.