Monday, November 7, 2016

Waterloo named one of Canada's Top 100 Employers

The University of Waterloo has joined the ranks of Canada's Top 100 Employers, an annual ranking of businesses and organizations across the country who lead in attracting and retaining employees. The official announcement magazine was published in the national edition of The Globe and Mail this morning.

The University of Waterloo was cited for its pension and benefit offerings, retirement preparation programs, vacation allotment for employees, an onsite amenities, among others.

“When we think about working for an exceptional employer, each of us looks for a few key benefits that are important,”says Richard Yerema, Managing Editor at Mediacorp Canada Inc., which manages the competition. “Things like career advancement and training are important when starting our careers, or family-friendly benefits and time-off as we gain more experience. To secure a place on a list like Canada’s Top 100 Employers an employer has to do everything well – it’s like being a hockey player who excels at both defence and offence, or an athlete who wins a triathlon.”

Entering its 18^th year, the Canada’s Top 100 Employers competition is an editorial project that recognizes employers with exceptional human resources programs and forward-thinking workplace policies. Editors at Mediacorp grade employers on eight criteria, including the Physical Workplace, Work Atmosphere and Social, Health, Financial and Family Benefits, Vacation and Time Off, Employee Communications, Performance Management, Training and Skills Development, and Community Involvement.

Representatives visit Thailand, Singapore, China this week

Representatives from the University of Waterloo, including President Feridun Hamdullahpur, are traveling to several countries in Asia this week to engage with alumni and university partners about potential opportunities and to celebrate the University’s success.

The delegation’s journey will focus on connecting and building relationships with Waterloo alumni overseas and exploring new opportunities for research partnerships.

President Hamdullahpur is traveling with Vice-President, University Research George Dixon, Interim Vice-President, Advancement Erin Sargeant Greenwood, Dean of Applied Health Sciences Jim Rush, Dean of Arts Doug Peers, Dean of Engineering Pearl Sullivan, Dean of Math Stephen Watt, and Dean of Science Bob Lemieux, Interim Associate Vice-President, International Ian Rowlands, Director of Alumni Relations Alison Boyd, and Executive Director of CECA Peggie Jarvie, along with other representatives from the faculties and academic support units.

Events include speaking engagements, meetings with universities and businesses, and alumni receptions. President Hamdullahpur will be speaking at the Canadian Chamber of Commerce in Hong Kong, and at various alumni dinners and other functions. He will also participate in a Remembrance Day wreath-laying ceremony on November 13.

Countries visited include Singapore, Thailand, and China (including Hong Kong). The delegation will be visiting the Chinese University of Hong Kong, the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, the University of Hong Kong, the National University of Singapore, and the Suranaree University of Technology in Thailand.

Check the Daily Bulletin for updates on the president’s activities this week.

Tackling the global tobacco epidemic: The ITC Project

Did you know tobacco use is the number one preventable cause of death in the world and is projected to kill one billion people this century? That’s 10 times the number of people killed by tobacco in the 20^th century.

Find out how Waterloo research is tackling this problem by joining psychology professor and founder of the International Tobacco Control Policy Evaluation Project (ITC Project), Geoffrey Fong, at noon on Friday, November 25 for the next session of Research Talks. Geoff will share how he’s using research evidence to strengthen and defend tobacco control efforts around the world and support stronger policies where needed.

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.

Please register as seating is limited and registration will close when room capacity is reached. Feel free to bring your lunch – light refreshments will be provided.

Survey on university teaching culture launches

Donna Ellis, Director of the Centre for Teaching Excellence, is leading the University of Waterloo implementation of a research project to assess instructors’, staff members’, and students’ perceptions of university teaching culture. The research is funded by the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC) and is being conducted at eight other universities in Canada.

Instructors teaching in the Fall 2016 term, staff supporting teaching and learning on campus, graduate students, and a random sample of undergraduate students will receive an email invitation to participate starting the week of November 7^th. The survey will close Monday, December 5^th.

This research has received ethics clearance through a University of Waterloo Research Ethics Committee (ORE#21772). For more information on this project, please visit the Centre for Teaching Excellence.

Monday's notes 

The Department of Mechanical and Mechatronics Engineering will be hosting an open-house retirement reception for Professor John Medley on November 30 from 3:30 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. at the University Club.

RSVP to Christina Lashbrook by November 22 by sending an email to clashbro@uwaterloo.ca.

D'oh! A deer! Drivers and pedestrians in the neighbourhood of Parking Lot A should take care in the area, as some wild deer have been spotted roaming near Waterloo Park, including a fawn that is rather tame and wanders about openly.

According to the City's parks manager, these deer are not escapees from the Eby Farm. As it has been spotted darting across the parking lot at least once, drivers might want to be on the alert.