Friday, February 15, 2019

Waterloo takes Innovation Summit to the UK

The University of Waterloo is taking its forward-thinking ideas across the pond. With the support of the High Commission of Canada in the United Kingdom, the University will be hosting the Waterloo Innovation Summit (WIS) in London on Monday, February 18.

Approximately 60 to 80 guests are expected to attend this by invitation-only event, including prominent Waterloo alumni and leaders in business, government and academia. An impressive series of talks and panel discussions will showcase the talent, research and enterprise emerging at Waterloo to this UK audience.

Her Excellency Janice Charette, High Commissioner for Canada to the United Kingdom for Great Britain and Northern Ireland, will provide a welcome, followed by opening remarks from President Feridun Hamdullahpur.

Keynote speakers include Nobel laureate Donna Strickland, who will give a talk entitled “Science is borne out of curiosity,” and Waterloo chancellor Dominic Barton, speaking on “How universities can lead during times of disruption.”

Panel discussions will focus on the higher goals of scientific research and enterprise. The first panel discussion, “Invention with purpose,” will feature Waterloo researchers discussing the importance of discovery and science as foundational to advancing innovation in business, policy and society. In the second panel, “Enterprise with purpose,” leaders from Waterloo technology startups will explore the importance of entrepreneurship and highlight the unique contributions of the University of Waterloo.

Sandra Banks, vice-president, university relations, will provide closing remarks.

The Waterloo Innovation Summit event series attracts leaders from business, government and academia with provocative and insightful keynote talks and discussions about the future, innovation, and the world’s pressing issues. Recent WIS events include a summit dedicated to climate resilience through tech in Vancouver last November, and an event focusing on the future of artificial intelligence in Toronto in March 2018.

Tickets available for International Women's Day Dinner

A message from Community Relations and Events.

Please join President Feridun Hamdullahpur on Friday, March 8 to recognize and honour International Women’s Day. This is an opportunity to bring the Waterloo community together to celebrate the achievements of women and renew our motivation toward gender parity. The keynote speaker is Anita Layton, Professor, Applied Mathematics, and Research Diversity and Equity Council Chair.

Up to two individual ticket purchases can be accommodated. For additional tickets please contact Community Relations and Events directly.

The individual ticket includes one drink ticket, appetizers, main course, dessert, coffee/tea and is only $56.50 (tax included). Cash or cheque are accepted.

A cash bar will be available. Dress code is business formal.

The event takes place at Federation Hall on Friday, March 8. The reception begins at 5:00 p.m. and the program gets underway at 6:00 p.m.

Register on the event website.

Random Act of Kindness Week approaches

A message from the Healthy Workplace Committee.

Random Act of Kindness Week takes place from February 18 to 22. So let’s take a break from our busy lives and do something nice for a co-worker, a family member, a friend, a stranger or even ourselves! It could even be something as simple as smiling at someone or giving them a high-five.

Listed below are some ideas you can try out in your workplace:

• Send a cheerful or encouraging email to a coworker.
• Leave sticky notes with positive messages on a coworkers desk.
• Offer to help out a coworker who’s been struggling with/stressed about a project.

What's open and closed on Family Day, Reading Week

Monday is Family Day, a statutory holiday in Ontario, and most University operations will be closed.

In typical holiday fashion, a number of university operations and facilities will be closed, including Print + Retail Solutions, the Physical Activities Complex and Columbia Icefield, (open 9:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. on Saturday, February 16 but closed Sunday, February 17 and Monday, February 18), and most Food Services locations, unless otherwise noted on their schedule (The Market at CMH appears to be open). Some Food Services outlets, including Brubaker’s, the SLC Tim Hortons, Subway, and the STC Starbucks, will be closed beginning tomorrow.

The Dana Porter and Davis Centre libraries will be open from 12:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. on Monday. Browser’s Café in the Dana Porter Library will be closed Saturday, February 16 through Monday, February 18.

Even on holidays, the University Police (519-888-4911) will be at work, the Student Life Centre's Turnkey Desk (519–888-4434) will be open, and the central plant will monitor campus buildings (for maintenance emergencies, call ext. 33793).

Monday, February 18 marks the beginning of Reading Week, otherwise known as the Winter term study break, during which there will be no lectures or classes on campus. The University’s offices and services will be open more or less as usual from Tuesday through Friday, which are regular working days for most University employees.

Some Food Services outlets will have modified hours of operation during Reading Week, including Browser’s Café, Mudie’s, Starbucks STC, the Market at CMH, Tim Hortons DC, the Tim Hortons Express DC, the Tim Hortons in Modern Languages, Tim Hortons SCH, and the Tim Hortons in the Student Life Centre.

However, Bon Appétit, Brubaker’s, the CEIT Café, East End Café in EC5, Eye Opener Café in Optometry, FRSH in BMH, H3 Café in the Hagey Hall Hub, Liquid Assets in the School of Accounting and Finance, ML's Coffee Shop in Modern Languages, REVelation, South Side Marketplace, Starbucks in AHS/BMH, Subway, the Tim Hortons in UWP, and Williams Fresh Café will all be shuttered for the duration.

Print + Retail Solutions locations will be open from Tuesday to Friday.

Have a great long weekend!