Friday, July 19, 2019

Update on dean searches in Engineering, Science, and Mathematics

Three decanal searches and reviews are currently underway at the University, with a fourth preparing to kick into high gear in the fall.

The Dean of Engineering Nominating Committee, the Dean of Science Nominating Committee, and the Dean of Mathematics Nominating Committee have all been constituted and have held their initial meetings and are now soliciting feedback from the constituent faculties, according to memos circulated by Vice-President, Academic & Provost Jim Rush, who serves as the chair of the decanal nominating committees. Additionally, the Dean of Environment Nominating Committee has been constituted and will hold its first meeting on September 6.

Pearl Sullivan, Dean of Engineering, will complete her second and final term as dean on 30 June 2020, and a search is being conducted to identify her successor. Stephen Watt, dean of Mathematics, will complete his first term as dean on 30 June 2020 and will not be seeking reappointment for a second term, and a search is being conducted to identify his successor. 

Dean of Environment Jean Andrey will be completing her first term as dean on 30 June 2020 and has indicated her willingness to stand for reappointment to a second term. The Dean of Science, Bob Lemieux, will also be completing his first term of dean on 30 June 2020, and has indicated his willingness to stand for reappointment to a second term.

Vice-President, Academic & Provost Jim Rush is reaching out to faculty, staff and students in Engineering, Science and Mathematics as part of the consultation phase of the selection process.

Webforms are available for individuals in Engineering, Science and Mathematics to provide their confidential feedback.

• Members of the Faculty of Engineering (faculty, staff and students) are invited to provide their feedback. Feedback is due by August 5.
• Members of the Faculty of Science (faculty, staff and students) are invited to provide their feedback. Feedback is due by September 16
• Members of the Faculty of Mathematics (faculty, staff and students) are invited to provide their feedback. Feedback is due by September 23.

Members of the faculties where a search or review is underway are asked to consider the following questions:

1. What are the issues, challenges and opportunities facing the Faculty?
2. What are your aspirations for the Faculty in the next five years?
3. What advice do you have for the search committee as to the background, credentials, qualifications and leadership style that should be sought in the next dean?
4. Do you have any suggestions as to individuals to whom the committee should speak about this opportunity?

Decanal nominating committees are constituted and organized in accordance with Policy 45, Dean of a Faculty. 

Velocity Fund $5K winners named

Health tech companies captured the most interest and money at Waterloo’s largest startup pitch competition yesterday. Among the 10 companies vying for the top prize, four companies persuaded the judges that their ideas had the best chance at commercial success. Winners included:

• Insula Medical, which is developing a compact and ergonomic insulin delivery system
• WatFly, which is developing an urban electric flight solution 
• Emergency Response Africa, an EMS technology company that provides care to victims at the scene of an emergency
• VOYHS, a company that gives trans people the resources to train their voice to boost their confidence and improve their lives

This year’s Velocity Fund Finals $5K competition saw one of the most diverse field of entrants, with 50 per cent female founders and three of the 10 companies led by graduate students.

“We are extremely honoured to win this award and are very thankful to Velocity,” said Sara Salmon, a member of the Insula Medical team in charge of controls design and a mechanical engineering student at Waterloo. “ This award will help us to change the lives of Type 1 Diabetics by allowing us to further develop our product.”

The Velocity Fund Finals (VFF) competition awards each winner a $5,000 prize to help them grow their ideas and start their own business. The Velocity Fund was established in 2011 through a $1 million donation by Kik founder Ted Livingston, himself a Velocity alumnus, as well as a donation 2014 donation by angel investor Mike Stork.

"Creating a culture of entrepreneurship that leads to scaleup companies with massive economic and social impact is fueled by ensuring that new, emerging entrepreneurs and very early-stage startups have the support to get started, that’s what today is about,” said Jay Shah, director of the Velocity program. “The Velocity Fund Finals $5K is a high energy culmination of that support, both in mentorship and providing initial funding to help bring these ambitious ideas closer to reality."

The next $5,000 VFF will take place in November.

Friday's notes

The University of Waterloo Choir will present Voicescapes on Saturday, July 20 at The Cedars in Waterloo. "The human voice is an incredible instrument, not only capable of carrying text, but also showcasing many different sounds to convey emotion or create atmosphere," says a note from the choir. "Voicescapes will explore some of these capabilities, featuring music by composers such as Jaakko Mäntyjärvi, Stephen Hatfield, Morten Lauridsen, and Sarah Hopkins. This 50-voice choir is directed by Liska Jetchick." Tickets are $10 general admission or $5 for students and seniors, and are available at the door.

The Faculty Association of the University of Waterloo (FAUW) is organizing a New Faculty Welcome Social on Wednesday, July 24 from 2:30 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. at Molly Bloom's Irish Pub. New faculty members are invited to drop by for "a pint or a pop, and free snacks" as well as some freely-dispensed advice about how things work at Waterloo. RSVPs to laura.mcdonald@uwaterloo.ca are appreciated.