Tuesday, August 22, 2017


Waterloo grads jump-start businesses with $60,000

Five new businesses launched by Waterloo grads have received a jump-start with $60,000. The newest recipients of funding from AC JumpStart-University of Waterloo are:

  • Demine Robotics – offers an autonomous solution to excavate landmines, which reduces time and casualties 
  • Emagin Clean Tech – provides water utilities with an intelligent platform that recommends smarter operational decisions in real-time to reduce energy costs and risk when controlling water and wastewater assets
  • Serenity Bioworks – is developing novel medicine formulas to improve the long-term effectiveness and safety of anti-inflammatory medication
  • Vena Medical – has created a Short Wave Infrared Vascular Endoscope (SWIRVE™) in order to see through blood while advancing through arteries and veins
  • 56 Studios – is an indie game studio with the aim to reach out to as many players as possible by bridging the gap between the mobile, console and PC markets that supports cross-play

Funded by FedDev Ontario and the University of Waterloo, AC JumpStart is delivered through the Accelerator Centre and provides early stage technology startups with the seed capital, mentorship, and market-readiness tools needed to build a business in today’s knowledge economy. The program has provided funding to 30 Waterloo startups since 2015.

Recent Waterloo graduates and entrepreneurs with a passion for starting a business that will turn ideas and innovations into commercial reality are encouraged to apply for the next AC JumpStart-University of Waterloo cohort by September 5.

Eclipse viewing party brings community together

Children view eclipse through eclipse glassesHundreds gathered on the Village 1 Green to join in an eclipse viewing party hosted by Waterloo Science. Attendees had the opportunity to learn about the eclipse through informational talks, conversations with experts, and a NASA livestream of the total eclipse in the United States.

Waterloo's peak coverage was 70%, as can be seen in the above photo. 390 event attendees were provided eclipse glasses to enjoy the sight safely, and all were eager to share with the hundreds more viewers attending.

The observatory coordinator at the Gustav Bakos Observatory, Victor Arora, took care of the information end of the event and had a few different ways for people to safely view the eclipse. The Kitchener-Waterloo Royal Astronomical Society of Canada also helped out by setting up a scope for public use. ‎Information Systems & Technology worked hard to keep the NASA livestream going. The event was a great group effort that elicited plenty of smiles from the attendees, and all left knowing a little more about the eclipse.

Remembering Ernie MacKinnon

Professor MacKinnon.Professor George Ernest (Ernie) MacKinnon, an original member of the Department of Psychology, died on Sunday, August 13.

“Professor MacKinnon received his B.A. from Queen’s University in 1959, and his Ph.D. from Johns Hopkins University in 1964,” says a statement from Professor Colin MacLeod, chair of Psychology. “He came to Waterloo in 1963 and spent his entire career here, retiring in 1996 but staying on as an adjunct to teach over the years since retirement. His early work on visual perception and attention gave rise to a long-term interest in the study of basic processes in educational psychology, particularly in reading, including a series of edited volumes entitled Reading research: Advances in theory and practice. Over his career, Professor MacKinnon supervised over 30 Masters degrees and 10 PhDs.”

MacKinnon is survived by his sister, Mildred Elizabeth Charlton. 

A memorial service will be held on September 9.

Tuesday's notes

The Bombshelter Pub will be closed Tuesday through Thursday of this week.

The Library announces that the term loan date has changed from September 15, 2017 to January 15, 2018. Borrowers with extended loan privileges can now renew their books for the Fall term.

The Centre for Teaching Excellence invites all new faculty to a welcome event in Federation Hall on September 6. Coffee and introductions start at 8:30 a.m., followed by professional development sessions such as “Navigating Your Roles at Waterloo,” “Getting to Know Waterloo,” and more. Lunch with Chairs, Directors, and Deans takes place at 12:30 p.m. Registration is required.  

This afternoon from 4:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m., the retirement reception for Sgt. Peter Speek will take place at Federation Hall. Free parking can be found in parking lot R, adjacent to Federation Hall, from 4:30 p.m. on. RSVP to Alan Binns at ambinns@uwaterloo.ca.

Link of the day

75 years ago: The Battle of Stalingrad begins

When and where

Ontario Mennonite Music CampSunday, August 13 to Friday, August 25, Conrad Grebel University College. 

Retirement reception for Sgt. Peter Speek, Tuesday, August 22, 4:00 p.m., Federation Hall. RSVP to Alan Binns at ambinns@uwaterloo.ca.

Deadline for students to get “Fees Arranged,” Wednesday, August 23.

PhD Seminar featuring Kathryn Jastremski, Thursday August 24, 12:00 p.m., EV2-2022.

10th Annual St. Paul's Golf Tournament, Friday, August 25, 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Glen Eagle Golf Club.

Fall Orientation, Sunday, September 3 to Saturday, September 9.

Fall Move-in begins, Sunday, September 3.

Labour Day, most University services and buildings closed, Monday, September 4.

Co-operative work term begins, Tuesday, September 5.

LGBTQ+ Making Spaces workshop, Tuesday, September 5, 12:30 p.m., NH 3318. Please register- Seating is limited.

WaterTalk: Data instead of concrete? Exploring the potential of digitalization in urban drainage, featuring Professor Max Maurer, Tuesday, September 5, 2:30 p.m., DC 1302.

Lectures begin, Thursday, September 7.

UWaterloo Music Ensembles auditions begin, Thursday, September 7.

The Role of Water Technology Innovation in the Blue Economy: Elsevier's International Water Research Conference hosted by the Water Institute, Wednesday, September 10-13, Crowne Plaza in Kitchener.

Feds Welcome Week, Monday, September 11 to Friday, September 15.

President and Senior Staff Luncheon, Monday, September 11, 12:00 p.m., Davis Centre Quad.

The Water Institute RBC Distinguished Lecture 2017 featuring Quentin Grafton, “Innovation, Incentives and Infrastructure in the Blue Economy,” Monday, September 11, 3:40 p.m., Crowne Plaza Grand Ballroom, Kitchener.

Writing Centre presents STEM Lab Reports: improve your lab report writing, Tuesday, September 12, 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.

Writing and Communication Centre presents Getting it done: Productive writing strategies for big projects, Wednesday, September 13, 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.

GTFO: Film Screening and Discussion, Wednesday, September 13, 4:00 p.m., QNC 0101.

Waterloo Innovation Summit - Hacking the Future, Thursday, September 14 and Friday, September 15.

Deadline to submit nominations for the President's Community Impact Awards, Friday, September 15.

WaterTalk: Emerging Outcomes From a Cross-Disciplinary Doctoral Programme on Water Resource Systems, Friday, September 15, 2:30 p.m., DC 1302.

Doors Open Waterloo Region, Saturday, September 16. 

Doors Open: Free Talk- 60 Years at Waterloo: Perspectives of a University from a Corn Field to Architectural Traditions, Saturday, September 16, 1:00 p.m., Library Flex Lab.

Doors Open Waterloo Region Free Talk: Attractors, Saturday, September 16, 2:00 p.m., School of Pharmacy.