Friday, October 14, 2016

Professional School & Post-Degree Day coming up

The Centre for Career Action (CCA) will be hosting the annual Professional School & Post-Degree (PPD) Day on Monday October 24 in the Great Hall of the Student Life Centre. Students are invited to come out and learn about graduate and professional school programs available in Canada and internationally! Registration is not required – students are welcome to drop by.

Representatives from more than 100 institutions will interact with students and alumni to answer questions about career options, graduate school admission requirements, program specifics, and application procedures and deadlines.

For more information about PPD Day and a complete list of sessions, please visit CCA’s event website or contact Gillian McKenzie-Yorke at gmckenzieyorke@uwaterloo.ca (call 888-4567 ex. 30424).

CCA also offers individual appointments to provide information about the grad/professional school application process, review of applications, and mock grad/professional school interviews on an ongoing basis. Students, alumni and staff can book their appointments electronically through CCA.

We hope to see you there!

New funding available for research partnerships with China

The International Research Partnerships Grant that has provided researchers with funding to partner with institutions in the European Union and worldwide has been expanded to offer additional funding for partnerships with China. Applications for the new China pilot program will be accepted until February 1, 2017.

All three University of Waterloo IRPG programs (IRPG, IRPG-EU, and IRPG-China) offer up to $20,000 to help researchers establish global research networks with elite institutions, advance research and innovation, and leverage new funding opportunities. Application instructions are available on the program webpage.

Since they were created several years ago, the funding through IRPG and IPRG-EU has led to many new partnerships with key institutions, over $4.3 million in new grants for Waterloo researchers, and more than 50 new innovations and technologies.

The application deadlines are:

• November 1, 2016 – IRPG and IRPG-EU
• ​February 1, 2017 – IRPG-China

For more information about the program contact Madalina Mirea.

Waterloo professors named to College of New Scholars

Three professors from the University of Waterloo are among the new members of the Royal Society of Canada (RSC) College of New Scholars, Artists and Scientists.

Members have reached a high level of achievement at an early stage of their careers. They represent the emerging generation of scholars and leaders in science and the arts in the country. Membership is for seven years.

The Waterloo researchers among the incoming members of the College of New Scholars, Artists and Scientists are:

Zhongwei Chen, Department of Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering

Professor Chen is developing new materials that make batteries and fuel cells smaller, lighter and longer-lasting. His patented technology for silicon-based lithium-ion batteries will enable smartphones and other electronic devices to last 40 to 60 per cent longer between charges and electric cars to drive 500 kilometers farther. Professor Chen is Canada Research Chair in Advanced Materials for Clean Energy.

John Turri, Department of Philosophy, Faculty of Arts

Professor Turri works in experimental philosophy, an exciting new field of research at the intersection of traditional philosophy and cognitive science. His research focuses on social cognition and communication to understand how social factors affect our interpretation of verbal behavior, and the fundamental role that knowledge plays in governing speech.

Tze Wei (John) Yeow, Department of Systems Design Engineering, Faculty of Engineering

John Yeow is testing micro and biomedical nanodevices with highly selective sensors that are able to diagnose and treat diseases such as cancer. He is working with a cancer research centre to find ways to improve radiation therapy. He is Canada Research Chair in Micro and Nanodevices and is a member of the Waterloo Institute of Nanotechnology.

The Waterloo professors were among 80 news members elected to the College. The induction ceremony will take place Friday, November 18 in Kingston, Ontario.

Integrating Knowledges Summit and other notes

The University of Waterloo and the Waterloo Aboriginal Education Centre at St. Paul’s University College are hosting a summit today that brings together elders, researchers, artists, activists, residential school survivors, students and others to respond to recommendations of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada.

The Integrating Knowledges Summit will include workshops, circle discussions, speakers and performances. Participants will share indigenous and non-indigenous knowledges and creative practices that contribute to decolonization and reconciliation among indigenous peoples and all Canadians in meaningful and sustainable ways.

Speakers include Cindy Blackstock of McGill University and Executive Director, First Nations Child and Family Caring Society of Canada, and Lisa Monchalin, professor of criminology at Kwantlen Polytechnic University.

The latest entry in the Noon Hour Concert Series will feature musicians playing traditional Chinese musical instruments. The Juno Award-nominated Orchid Ensemble, hailing from Vancouver, will perform at 12:30 p.m. today in the Conrad Grebel Chapel. The ensemble includes Lan Tung on the erhu (Chinese violin), Xiao Mei Zhu on the zheng (Chinese zither), and Jonathan Bernard on percussion. The ensemble blends ancient musical instruments and traditions from China and beyond.

The 2016 Optometry Rack Pack team completed the CIBC Run for the Cure on Sunday, October 2 to support the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation. The Rack Pack was again honoured with the ‘Post-Secondary Team Challenge Award’ for the institution with the most funds raised to support the cause - the current total is $6,407. That brings the team's four year total to over $40,000.

"The Run for the Cure was inspiring to all who attended – so be ready to tie up your laces for next year’s event. Way to go, team!" says a note from the team. "Donations are still being accepted. Thanks for supporting a great cause!"

The deadline for the HeForShe Writing Contest has been extended to Monday, October 17.

Students are reminded that today’s classes follow the Wednesday schedule to make up for Fall Break study days.