Wednesday, April 13, 2016

Championing outstanding student volunteers

by Maaz Yasin

This story is part of the #UWCommunity National Volunteer Week 2016 series, profiling volunteer-driven University of Waterloo initiatives that help make a difference in our community.

Helping a ten year old Syrian refugee boy in Kitchener learn English, cleaning up Ezra Street in Waterloo after St. Patrick’s Day, teaching a senior citizen in Cambridge how to use an iPad so that he can Skype with his granddaughter – the impact of University of Waterloo students’ volunteerism in our community is one that is ought to be celebrated. Students at the University of Waterloo are some of Canada’s best and brightest. From creating startups that turn into million dollar companies, to authoring books, to working on groundbreaking research, we have much to be proud of; however, not only do UWaterloo students excel in their academics and career endeavours, they are and always have been very active citizens in our communities.

Getting involved through volunteering on campus and in our community is a huge part of the university student experience. In an effort to make it easier for students to give back, the Federation of Students launched the Volunteer Centre in November 2015. The intent behind the creation of the Volunteer Centre was to answer the ever-present question: “Where and how can I get involved?”

The Feds Volunteer Centre provides a one-stop shop for students looking for answers to this question. By offering an in-person office in the Student Life Centre and an online database linked to the UW Portal, it centralizes all the different volunteer opportunities on campus. We know students are also looking to give back and volunteer within our region at large, which is why we are working with community partners like the Volunteer Action Centre of Kitchener Waterloo and Area to include all major charities and nonprofits in our volunteer database.

The Feds Volunteer Centre allows any University of Waterloo student to browse through hundreds of volunteer opportunities both on-campus and in the Waterloo region. Students will be able to customize their search using a number of categories like interest, location, availability and more. By having access to innovative tools that facilitate volunteerism, students will be able to make an even bigger impact in the communities they live in.

Waterloo Region is a diverse community with a large student population. The academic and entrepreneurial excellence of our students will continue to make a huge positive economic impact in our region, but it’s their dedication, community-service, and volunteerism that will bring us together as citizens and residents of one of Canada’s most celebrated communities. Together, let’s strive to continue to empower and champion our outstanding student volunteers.

From April 10 to 16, 2016, we invite you to join in the conversation by celebrating and recognizing individuals, groups, committees and clubs at Waterloo who actively make a difference through volunteering. Share your photos, comments, or words of thanks on Twitter and Instagram using #UWCommunity and #NVW2016.

CECA partners with tech innovators at conference

by Max McKee

Next month, the Canadian Undergraduate Technology Conference (CUTC) will give students the chance to connect with industry experts in technology and entrepreneurship. Co-operative Education & Career Action (CECA) is a proud partner of CUTC, and the event has been connected to the university since it was first organized by Waterloo students in 1999. Since then, it has attracted 4,500 students and over 200 industry partners.

Hosted at the MaRS Convention Centre in Toronto, an urban hot-spot for innovation, CUTC Imagine is a two day conference that will feature talks and workshops by industry leaders including Waterloo alumnus Ted Livingston, founder and CEO of Kik.

Over the years CUTC has earned recognition from some reputable sources. A notable tip-of-the-hat came from the 20th Prime Minister of Canada, Jean Chrétien, who said, “CUTC provides an excellent opportunity for personal development while offering important insights into the dynamic and fast-paced world of new technologies. Each [attendee] is committed to excellence, and I am certain that this conference will assist in preparing [guests] for the challenges of the future."

Remembering Don Iverson

Professor Donald Iverson, a visionary health researcher and founding director of Waterloo’s Centre for Behavioural Research and Program Evaluation (CBRPE), the precursor to the Propel Centre for Population Health Impact, died March 18.

In 1993 Iverson was recruited by the National Cancer Institute of Canada and the Canadian Cancer Society to serve as founding Director of their new Centre for Behavioural Research & Program Evaluation. During his two-year directorship, he launched a centre that is recognized as unique in the world, and created a social and behavioural cancer research network to enable scientists across Canada to collaborate in studies that could guide improvements in areas ranging from cancer prevention to palliative care. Professor Iverson worked closely with the Canadian Cancer Society to ensure that the Society’s programs were both informed by the best scientific evidence and rigorously evaluated in partnership with the new Centre.

“I think with fondness of Don's sparkling spirit. He was fun to be around and created a "can do" spirit in all who worked with him," writes Roy Cameron, who succeeded Iverson as the head of CBRPE in 1995. "This was key to his effectiveness as a leader in building a behavioural cancer research community in Canada.”

Iverson also taught a graduate seminar at Waterloo that drew together students and colleagues from several departments. In 1997 CBRPE moved to the University of Waterloo’s Faculty of Applied Health Sciences, and was rechristened the Propel Centre for Population Health Impact in 2009.

“It was Don's vision that brought to life the Centre for Behavioural Research and Program Evaluation, which has continued to thrive through several transitions," writes Cameron.

In recognition of his efforts to advance health awareness, Iverson received an honorary doctor of science degree from Waterloo in 2007.

Iverson spent the last 15 years as a prominent public health researcher in Australia.

Wednesday's notes

On Tuesday, April 12, the Centre for Teaching Excellence (CTE) and the Graduate Studies Office (GSO) hosted a luncheon for the winners of the Amit & Meena Chakma Awards for Exceptional Teaching by a Student (AETS) and the members of the selection committee at the University Club. Pictured above are (left to right) Hadi Hosseini (AETS recipient), John Doucette (AETS recipient), Jim Frank (committee chair), Laura Sauder (AETS recipient), and Tiffany Bayley (AETS recipient).

The Staff Relations Committee would like all staff to know that it has opened up the first portion of its meetings to members of the university community, and regularly has agenda items of interest to staff members in all units of the university.

There will be a meeting this Friday, April 15 starting at 12:00 p.m., concerning: consultation on the new information management policy, an item to consider initiation of a policy drafting committee to amend Policy 67; Employee Assistance Program, and an update on the Employment Equity Survey.

The full meeting agenda is now available on the Staff Relations Committee website.