Thursday, February 11, 2016

$5.2 million awarded to new Canada Research Chairs 

Five researchers at the University of Waterloo were named Canada Research Chairs (CRC) this week.

Professor Raymond Laflamme, executive director of the Institute for Quantum Computing at Waterloo, sees his CRC renewed for $1.4 million over seven years. His research on controlling quantum systems using quantum error correction is critical to the development of robust new quantum technologies. Harnessing the power of technologies at the atomic scale requires mechanisms to control these fragile, yet powerful behaviours.

“We can’t make sense of quantum phenomena with traditional laws of physics, but with quantum laws we can understand, predict, and control quantum systems to develop the next generation of information technologies,” said Laflamme. “The CRC renewal provides me with perhaps the most precious resource – time – which is essential to continue our progress in the complex and constantly evolving quantum world.”

The Honourable Kirsty Duncan, Minister of Science, announced a total investment of $5.2 million for Waterloo in key research areas of environment and energy, mechatronic vehicle systems, graph theory, and algorithm design.

“Besides the extremely valuable time that’s required to focus on research, the CRC program provides researchers with the opportunity to train the next generation of emerging academics and achieve international recognition in their fields,” said George Dixon, vice-president, university research. “The program supports Waterloo’s goal of attracting and retaining outstanding and innovative world-class researchers that will have a profound impact on the world we live in.”

The four other Waterloo researchers included in this week's announcement:

• Professor Sarah Burch, Geography and Environmental Management – new Tier 2 CRC in Sustainability, Governance, and Innovation  –  $500,000 over five years

Professor Burch will examine how cities address climate change and transition toward resilient, low-carbon development while investigating new ways of governing sustainability challenges and entrepreneurs as sources of innovation.

• Professor Amir Khajepour, Mechanical and Mechatronics Engineering – renewed Tier 1 CRC in Mechatronic Vehicle Systems – $1.4 million over seven years

Professor Khajepour will investigate new mechatronics concepts to create innovative systems in order to develop new technologies in holistic vehicle control, urban vehicles, anti-idling systems, and improve the efficiency of internal combustion engines.

• Professor Ian Munro, David R. Cheriton School of Computer Science – renewed Tier 1 CRC in Algorithm Design – $1.4 million over seven years

Professor Munro will create information system techniques to address time and space constraints and use advanced problem-solving algorithms to improve the way data is organized.

• Professor Luke Postle, Combinatorics and Optimization – new Tier 2 CRC in Graph Theory – $500,000 over five years

Professor Postle will study the structural, topological, and chromatic properties of graphs with a goal of developing applications in areas such as computer science, communication, and transportation. 

High Impact Practices Group plays pedagogical matchmaker

by Mark Morton.

On Monday, February 8, the Waterloo High Impact Practices Group hosted a "speed dating" session for Waterloo instructors. Rather than seeking potential paramours, participants were on the hunt for collaborators for their High Impact Teaching and Learning Activities. In speed-dating style, participants paired up at tables for four minutes to share the resources they could offer others to help them implement High Impact Practices; they then broke up and formed new pairs, repeating this process numerous times over the next hour. Judging from the buzz in the room, and the discussion over cupcakes at the conclusion of the session, the “pedagogical matchmaking” exercise was a success.

Topics included teaching students good writing skills, fostering effective group work and collaboration, and best practices for student end-of-term presentations. Participants left this fun, fast-paced session brimming with ideas and with connections to help them put ideas into action.

Knighted conductor to deliver Sawatsky Lecture

The Grand Philharmonic Choir and Conrad Grebel University College are welcoming Sir James MacMillan, one of the world’s foremost living composers, as a visiting scholar and conductor.

​MacMillan will give a keynote address on The Spiritual in Music on Tuesday, March 1 at 7:30 p.m. at Conrad Grebel University College as the Rodney and Lorna Sawatsky Visiting Scholar. MacMillan’s music can be heard around the globe and he regularly conducts the world’s leading orchestras and choruses. His music is profoundly influenced by his Catholic faith, Scottish heritage, social conscience and close connection with Celtic folk music. He blends influences from Far Eastern, Scandinavian, and Eastern European music.

Much of MacMillan’s time will be spent in rehearsals with the University of Waterloo Chamber Choir, the Grand Philharmonic Choir, and Choir 21 – a chamber choir of 16 that specializes in contemporary choral music. On Sunday, March 6 at 3:00 p.m., the groups will present The Music of Sir James MacMillan, conducted by MacMillan himself. The music on the program includes Immortal Bach by Knut Nystedt, The Gallant Weaver by MacMillan, Miserere by MacMillan, and music by Murray Schafer and James Rolfe.

“I have long been a great fan of MacMillan’s music. His choral pieces are some of my favourite works,” said Mark Vuorinen, assistant professor of music at Grebel and artistic director and conductor of the Grand Philharmonic Choir.  “I am excited for our choristers at Grebel and at the Philharmonic to get to work with him first hand and for our whole community to hear him speak on music and spirituality.”

The Rodney and Lorna Sawatsky Visiting Scholar Lecture was established in 2004 to honour Rodney’s tenure and Lorna’s involvement at Conrad Grebel University College. As dean and then president, Rodney significantly shaped the strong faculty that defined Grebel’s distinctive academic profile for more than three decades. In keeping with Rodney Sawatsky’s own academic interests, the Sawatsky Visiting Scholar is awarded to renowned scholars, practitioners, and performers representing a wide range of academic and creative disciplines who bring their expertise to the Grebel community.

Thursday's notes

Voting continues today in the Federation of Students executive elections, the SLC/PAC Expansion Referendum, and for student at-large Senate positions. Students can vote online. Polling stations will be set up across campus and at satellite campuses.

Polls close at 10:00 p.m. tonight, and the results will be announced by the Federation of Students tomorrow.

The Registrar's Office has posted the Winter 2016 Final Examination Schedule and is reminding students about the food and drink ban currently in place at exams.

"In response to student concerns and in support of academic integrity initiatives, students are now prohibited from consuming food and drinks (with the exception of water in a clear bottle with no label) during their final examinations," says the note from the Registrar's Office. "Students can, however, make arrangements for a short nutrition break with a Proctor outside the exam venue during the final exam."

"If a single short break will not be sufficient because a student is medically required to consume food or drinks regularly during a final exam, the student must register for special accommodations with AccessAbility Services and must submit appropriate documentation from a recognized professional at least three weeks prior to the start of the final examination period."

Final exams begin on April 8 and run until April 23.