Friday, September 25, 2015

A September full of celebrations

by Feridun Hamdullahpur, President and Vice-Chancellor.

September’s always special, but this one really stands out.

First of all: a big welcome to campus to our new and returning students and faculty! It was great seeing so many of you — especially you first-year students and new faculty — out at our Orientation Week events.

We’ve kept up the pace around here over the summer, but there’s nothing like a campus that’s full to the brim with fresh ideas and new energy. Welcome, one and all — let’s have an outstanding year!

This month the University of Waterloo really shone as an institution that prides itself on community and global engagement.

On September 11, I hosted local community leaders at our annual President’s Community Breakfast. This year, to underline our engagement with the whole Waterloo region community, we took our show on the road to the Waterloo Region Museum in south Kitchener.

Local business, civic, and political leaders gathered with us for an update on the University’s community engagement activities and for the launch of our first-ever Community Impact Report: Building Our Community.

Take a moment today to read up on all the great work we’re doing to make the Waterloo region a vibrant place for all students and residents to live and learn. To the great many of you personally involved in some of these efforts, from driving prosperity to promoting sustainability, thank you.

We were delighted to have another major opportunity to show off the Waterloo region this month, and this time to an international audience.

We partnered with Communitech to make the third annual Waterloo Innovation Summit a tour-de-force of the Waterloo region as a global innovation hub, with the University of Waterloo as its anchor.

Keynote speakers included Steve Blank, one of the architects of the Silicon Valley, and Hon. Kathleen Wynne, premier of Ontario.

I addressed the gathering and also joined some Canadian and British colleagues for a panel discussion on how universities enable the success of innovation clusters.

#WINS15 was a great way to continue advancing the University’s reputation as an innovation leader, while championing the Waterloo region as a top destination for global talent, venture capital, and businesses looking to partner with some of the world’s best researchers.

As if that wasn’t already enough, I can’t sign off without highlighting a few other important items.

First, several Waterloo researchers received major honours this month, including a Trudeau Fellowship and membership in the Royal Society of Canada. Congratulations!

Second, in September Velocity surpassed the $250 million mark in total capital raised. Up from $100 million just a year ago, that’s a massive achievement and an impressive trend line. Way to go, Velocity teams.

Third, I was incredibly proud to announce the recipients of our HeforShe IMPACT 10x10x10 scholarships this month. It’s all part of our commitment to promote equity both here at UWaterloo and in our university sector across Canada. Read up on all of our recent HeforShe updates.

As I said, this September was a special one: we have much to celebrate, and with a new term now in full swing, much work to do.

There’s no place I’d rather do it.

Til next month,

Feridun

PS: Remember, October is our United Way Campaign month, but things officially kick off on September 29. Don’t forget to wear red so we can all Go Red for United Way!

Dean of Arts Nominating Committee seeks feedback

The Dean of Arts Nominating Committee, constituted under the terms of Policy 45 is now in place and has held its first meeting, according to a memo circulated this week to all students, faculty and staff in the Faculty of Arts.

"You are encouraged to provide your comments/views concerning the reappointment of Douglas Peers for a term of three (3) years (from 1 July 2016 to 30 June 2019), or concerning the deanship in general, by Thursday, 22 October 2015," the memo from Vice-President, Academic & Provost Ian Orchard says. "Comments may be sent to any member of the Nominating Committee (see below) or to the committee secretary Nadia Singh (nadia.singh@uwaterloo.ca). All comments will be held in complete confidence by the committee."

"The ballot required under paragraph 4.B.1 of Policy 45 will be distributed when the committee completes the consultation described above."

The membership of the nominating committee includes:

• Ian Orchard, Vice-President, Academic & Provost, provost@uwaterloo.ca, x84766
• Jean Andrey, Dean, Environment, jandrey@uwaterloo.ca, x32884
• Dylan Ball, Undergraduate Student, drball@uwaterloo.ca
• Erin Campbell, Academic Advisor – Liberal Studies, erin.campbell@uwaterloo.ca, x32147
• Andrea Charette, Faculty Relations and Appointments Manager, andrea.charette@uwaterloo.ca, x32218
• Coleen Even, Graduate Student, coleen.even@uwaterloo.ca
• Francisco Gonzalez, Professor, francisco.gonzalez@uwaterloo.ca, x32136
• ​Kathy Hochstetler, Professor, hochstet@uwaterloo.ca, x38892
• Shelley Hulan, Associate Professor, shulan@uwaterloo.ca, x36867
• Doug Kirton, Associate Professor, dkirton@uwaterloo.ca, x33767
• Christine McWebb, Director, Academic Programs and Professor, cmcwebb@uwaterloo.ca, x23008
• Bob Park, Professor, robert.park@uwaterloo.ca, x35016
• Julia Roberts, Associate Professor; Associate Chair (Undergrad) robertsj@uwaterloo.ca x32380
• David Seljak, Associate Professor dseljak@uwaterloo.ca x 28323

​Annual Pow Wow takes place Saturday

The Waterloo Aboriginal Education Centre will be showcasing traditional dancers in regalia, drumming and singing at the 12^th traditional Pow Wow on Saturday, September 26.

More than 30 vendors will also participate in this free public event at St. Paul's University College.

"We celebrate drumming, dancing and other elements of traditional Aboriginal culture, and we invite everyone to join us," says a note on the Waterloo Aboriginal Education Centre's website. "Craft and food vendors are on site, and we often have different stations where visitors can go to learn about different aspects of Aboriginal culture."

The event takes place from 12:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Photograph by Gerard Peter Pas.

Showcasing the loud results of quiet research

This is the latest in a series of #UWCommunity stories that feature Waterloo in the community.

This past Saturday, September 19, the University of Waterloo’s Department of Kinesiology partnered with the Heart and Stroke Foundation to deliver an interactive showcase — entitled Quiet Research, Loud Results — at the Tech Town building in the R+T Park. Featuring live demonstrations and exhibits, our community had the opportunity to participate in a nutrition session, as well as learn about the latest advances in cardiovascular research and new ways to live a more heart-friendly life.

Set up as a circuit, the showcase hosted various stations exemplifying a unique area of research happening at UWaterloo. Paired with compelling survivor stories and informative takeaways, each exhibit highlighted the ways this explorative research contributes to the overall well-being of our citizens on both regional and national scales.

Showcasing the partnerships between researchers at University of Waterloo and the Heart and Stroke Foundation brings awareness to the innovative research that is being used to save lives, and offers regional residents the opportunity to gain the knowledge and tools they need to help to create a healthier community.

A day at the Fair and other notes

Do you know an Ontario high school student applying to attend university in 2016? Staff, students, faculty, and alumni are being invited to attend the Ontario Universities' Fair (OUF) this weekend from Friday, September 25 to Sunday, September 27.

High school students and their parents can talk with students, professors and university reps; get answers about programs, admission requirements, student life; and much more. Come see our expanded booth and updated presentation (room 718A).

A special thanks should go out to the 600+ students, faculty, and staff who will represent Waterloo at the OUF this weekend.

Human Resources has reported that retired professor Helen Ellis died on September 16. Born in Kenton, Tennessee, Professor Ellis began her career at Waterloo in September 1965 as an assistant professor in the English department. She was named associate professor in July 1968 and received tenure in April 1969. Her research specializations included Keats, Blake, English Romantic poets and science fiction. She was appointed associate chair, graduate affairs in 1984.

A visitation takes place tonight at the Erb & Good Family Funeral Home in Waterloo from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. with a service to be held at All Saints Anglican Church in Waterloo on Saturday, September 26 at 11:00 a.m.

Hackers at Canada’s first wellness hackathon this weekend will develop new apps for people living with Alzheimer’s disease and multiple sclerosis.

The Faculty of Applied Health Sciences and the Murray Alzheimer Research and Education Program at the University of Waterloo will host the two-day event. It will bring together members of the community, students and researchers to create social, hardware and software solutions to improve the lives of those living with the neurological diseases.

Hackers will showcase their work during a pitch competition on Sunday, with a chance to win the following prizes:

• A free one-term stay for two students at St. Paul’s GreenHouse, the first and only live-in campus-linked accelerator in Canada focused on social innovation and entrepreneurship
• Up to $15,000 in research grant funding for students from the MS Society of Canada and the opportunity to work under the mentorship of a Waterloo faculty member
• Four scholarships worth $5,000 for the Masters of Business, Entrepreneurship and Technology Program at the Conrad Business, Entrepreneurship and Technology Centre
• A subscription to an online market validation tool donated by the Accelerator Centre

The event takes place at 9:00 a.m. Saturday, September 26 with the pitch competition beginning Sunday, September 27 at 3:45 p.m. at the Accelerator Centre.

Meals and refreshments will be provided.