Wednesday, December 14, 2016


Beyond 60 Lecture will look into the future

The Beyond 60 Lecture banner.

In 2017, the University of Waterloo celebrates 60 years of innovation — an exciting milestone for all of us. Whether you are a student, alumnus, faculty, staff, donor, supporter or friend, you are an important part of our growing story. 

In only 60 years, we have redefined higher education as experience-rich, deeply connected, societally relevant and globally transformative — a place where ideas become reality, ignited by an unmatched spirit of innovation. Over the next 60 years, the pace of that innovation and change will increase exponentially. What will our world look like by 2077, and how will we continue to influence solutions and respond to global challenges?

As we approach this milestone year with a keen eye to the future, President Feridun Hamdullahpur invites you to attend Beyond 60, a kick-off event featuring leaders who challenge the status quo and connect us with the potential of tomorrow. Their thought-provoking questions and conversations will take us beyond disciplines, beyond the present day and beyond borders.

To change the future, we must first understand the great challenges and opportunities ahead. The intersection of the human condition with new technologies — from quantum computing to artificial intelligence — has the world teetering on the brink of a wild new frontier, where the private can become public at the click of a button, and lines between person and machine are increasingly blurred.

Join Waterloo at the vanguard of the coming information and intelligence revolution, with keynotes and panelists including:

  • Edward Snowden (via video-conference), who sparked a global debate over mass surveillance, government secrecy and the balance between national security and information privacy;
  • Kate Darling, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) Media Lab research specialist and fellow at the Harvard Berkman Center, whose research examines the intersection of technology and society; and
  • a panel of University of Waterloo researchers:
    • Heather Douglas, associate professor, Waterloo chair in Science and Society, Faculty of Arts;
    • Dana Kulic, associate professor, Electrical and Computer Engineering, Faculty of Engineering;
    • Michele Mosca, co-founder, Institute for Quantum Computing

The event takes place on Monday, January 9, 2017 at 7:00 p.m. in the Humanities Theatre. Register now to reserve your seat. There is limited space available (Note: as of 3:00 p.m., main registration has sold out for alumni, students, staff, and community members).

Missed your opportunity to get a ticket to the main event? Register for viewing events taking place across our campuses:

Join us January 9, 2017, as we launch this milestone year, and look 60 years into the future.

Terry Rice named AVP Marketing & Strategic Initiatives

"I am very pleased to announce that Terry Rice will join the University of Waterloo as associate vice-president, marketing and strategic initiatives, effective January 9, 2017," writes Vice-President, University Relations Sandra Banks in a memo circulated to University Relations yesterday.

Terry Rice."In this role, Terry will lead the development of market research, strategy and tools that build and strengthen Waterloo’s global brand and reputation, supporting the University in its goal to be recognized as one of the most innovative universities in the world," Banks writes.   

Rice has over sixteen years of communications experience in the post-secondary education sector. He comes to Waterloo from Western University where he most recently led the marketing communications function as director of marketing and creative services.

"In 2012, Terry led the creative work in re-positioning and rebranding Western, which included a completely new visual identity, new and consistent graphic standards and a new brand architecture," Banks writes. "Western won an award for Best Institutional Branding from the Canadian Council for the Advancement of Education (CCAE) that year, because of this work."

His responsibilities also included working with faculties, research, office of the registrar and advancement on national marketing initiatives, the university’s central social media strategies, web development and design, as well as video and motion graphic production. This year, he was a recipient of The Western Award of Excellence – the university’s highest honour for staff.

Rice completed the High Potentials Leadership Program at Harvard Business School (Executive Education) in 2014. He earned his Master of Arts degree (Journalism, 2000) and his Bachelor of Fine Arts degree (1998) from Western University.

"I look forward to welcoming Terry, with his passion for higher education and marketing excellence, to the University of Waterloo," Banks concludes. 

A trip around the world: co-op edition

Vik, Iceland and Palawan, The Philippines

Pictured on the left is Vik, Iceland, and on the right is Palawan, the Philippines.

by Andreea Perescu

For the past seven years, the annual “Where in the World!?” international photo contest has embodied the diverse and awe-inspiring experiences of Waterloo co-op students across the globe.

With more than 2,300 work terms every year in more than 60 countries, students have the opportunity to build their resumes while also exploring all the sights that the world has to offer. Seventy-eight photos were submitted and 12 were shortlisted into the final round. Voting for the first and second place photos occurred in the Tatham Centre on November 17, 2016. A total of 228 ballots were counted, and the final count was a close one—with the winners separated by only two votes!

First place was awarded to Tiffany Mah who snapped a photo of a star-studded sky the village of Vik, Iceland. “The inspiration for the photo came from a simple goal of capturing the vast beauty of the Milky Way, and Train's song ‘Drops of Jupiter.’ I encourage people to get out of their comfort zones and travel!  Travelling truly has a way of humbling you. You get to see what a tiny place you occupy in the world.”

Second place went to Elvin Madamba’s photo of the city of Palawan in the Philippines. “I wanted to take a landscape photo that you might see in those tasteful, expensive, postcards. I wanted the shot to be full of beauty, mysticism, and magnetic charm!” said Madamba. “I've already had a couple of friends tell me they have added the Philippines to their bucket list. The country is home to a couple of UNESCO World Heritage sites.”

Merrirose Stone, an international student advisor and a member of the International co-op team at CECA, shared her enthusiasm with those who voted and participated in the contest. “On behalf of the International team, thank you for being a part of what we are so passionate about— incredible work term experiences in incredible work locations around the globe! You have helped put Waterloo on the map—literally!”

Congratulations to the winners Tiffany and Elvin, and also to the runners up.

Holiday Office Closures

Institutional Analysis & Planning will be closed on Thursday, December 22 from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. for its annual holiday lunch.

Link of the day

Alan Thicke, '80s sitcom dad, dead at 69

When and where

University Club Christmas Lunch Buffet, Monday, November 28 to Friday, December 23, 11:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., University Club.

Examination period, Thursday, December 8 to Thursday, December 22.

Kinesiology Lab Days, Monday, December 12 to Friday, December 16.

University Club Christmas Dinner Buffet, Wednesday, December 14, 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., University Club.

WISE Public Lecture: Energy Economics - Towards Sustainable Development & a 'Green GDP', Thursday, December 15, 10:30 a.m., CPH 4333.

Chakra Yoga with Amanda Ingall,
Thursday, December 15, 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 pm, PAC Studio 2. No PAC membership required for this session.

Network for Aging Research Public Lecture featuring Julie Robillard, Assistant Professor of Neurology, Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, “Aging in a technological world: bridging disciplines to tackle the dementia epidemic,” Thursday, December 15, 10:30 a.m., AHS 1689. RSVP to sbodemer@uwaterloo.ca by noon on Monday, December 12.

Farewell celebration for Erin Sargeant Greenwood, Friday, December 16, 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m., St. Paul's Alumni Hall.

The Writing Centre presents Dissertation Boot Camp, Monday, December 19 to Thursday, December 22. 

Master of Business, Entrepreneurship and Technology (MBET) Program Webinar, Tuesday, December 20, 10:30 a.m.

Waterloo Women's Wednesdays: Holiday Luncheon, Tuesday, December 20, 12:00 p.m., University Club.

Advent Jazz Vespers, Tuesday, December 20, 7:00 p.m., Conrad Grebel Chapel.

Final Grad Write-In event of the term, Friday, December 23, 9:00 a.m., SCH 228F.

Holiday season closure, Saturday, December 24 to Monday, January 2. Most university buildings and services closed.

Co-operative work term begins, Monday, January 2, 2017.

Lectures begin, Tuesday, January 3, 2017.

Beyond 60 anniversary kick-off lecture, Monday, January 9, 2017, 7:00 p.m., Humanities Theatre.

The Writing Centre presents "Professionalism in your communication: How to talk to your professors", Tuesday, January 10, 2017, 10:30 a.m.

WaterTalks Series featuring Christian Stamm, Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science and Technology, "Unravelling the Impacts of Micropollutants in Stream Ecosystems," Thursday, January 12, 2017, 2:30 p.m., QNC 0101.

Master of Taxation Open House, Saturday, January 28, 2017, 10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., 220 Yonge St, Unit 115, Toronto.

PhD oral defences

French Studies. Vivek Ramakrishnan, "Lire la tragédie protestante française a la Renaissance: trois approches des oeuvres." Supervisor, Guy Poirer. On deposit in the Arts graduate office, PAS 2428. Oral defence Thursday, December 15, 1:30 p.m., HH 373.

Computer Science. Sergey Savinov, "A Dynamic Risk-Based Access Control Approach: Model, Implementation, Evaluation." Supervisors, Paulo Alencar, Daniel Berry. Thesis available from MGO - mgo@uwaterloo.ca. Oral defence Friday, December 16, 1:00 p.m., DC 2314.

School of Public Health and Health Systems. Peter Driezen, "Forecasting the Local Risk of Type 2 Diabetes and the Effects of Prevention Programs Using Spatial Microsimulation: Development and Use of the TropISM Model." Supervisor, Ian McKillop. On display in the Faculty of Applied Health Sciences, BMH 3110. Oral defence Tuesday, December 20, 10:00 a.m., AHS 1686.

Chemical Engineering. Mohammad Hossein Sahraei, "Reduced Order Modeling & Scale-up of an Entrained Flow Gasifier." Supervisor, Luis Ricardez-Sandoval. On deposit in the Engineering graduate office, DWE 3520C. Oral defence Wednesday, January 4, 2017, 9:00 a.m., E6 2022.

Positions available

On this week's list from the human resources department, viewable on the UWaterloo Talent Acquisition System (iCIMS):

  • Job ID# 2016-1371 – Administrative Assistant – Centre for Teaching Excellence, USG 6
  • Job ID# 2016 – 1376 – Administrative Co-ordinator, Arts Undergraduate Studies – Arts Undergraduate Office, USG 8
  • Job ID# 2016 – 1369 – Administrative Secretary/Receptionist – School of Pharmacy, USG 5
  • Job ID# 2016 – 1373 – Advancement Assistant, Applied Health Sciences – Dean of AHS Office, USG 6
  • Job ID# 2016 – 1360 – Coordinator, Student Relations and Office Operations – Student Success Office, USG 5
  • Job ID# 2016 – 1366 – Director, Design and Construction Services – Plant Operations – Building Design, USG 16
  • Job ID# 2016 – 1359 – Student Advisor – School of Optometry, USG 6
  • Job ID# 2016 – 1243 – Technical Support Specialist – Campus Wellness – General, USG 9

Internal secondment opportunities:

  • Job ID# 2016 – 1317 – Records Specialist – Graduate Studies Office, USG 6-7
  • Job ID# 2016 – 1370 – Research Ethics Advisor – Office of Research, USG 9