Tuesday, July 23, 2024

Friday, November 1, 2019

Editor:
Brandon Sweet
University Communications
bulletin@uwaterloo.ca

International Education Week runs November 18 to 22

International Education Week banner.

A message from Waterloo International.

The University of Waterloo is excited to be joining over 100 countries around the world in celebration of International Education Week (IEW) from November 18 to 22, 2019. The weeklong event will include workshops, activities and events hosted by several departments across campus.

The week will feature a special keynote presentation “Multilingualism in an Increasingly Globalized World” by documentary filmmaker and journalist, Alexandre Trudeau.

Alexandre Trudeau, renowned filmmaker and storyteller, will recount how speaking more than one language has enriched his life, both personally and professionally, and why he believes all students should have diverse opportunities for language learning and study abroad. The keynote will be followed by a panel discussion led by Associate Vice-President, International Ian Rowlands with special guests from Deloitte, BMW, Dale & Lessmann LLP and more. Panelists will discuss how language and international experience has benefited their career.

The keynote and panel will take place on November 21 from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. in the Humanities Theatre.

Registration for this event is required and will open on Monday November 4 at 9:00 a.m. Please visit the IEW Keynote registration page to reserve your seat.  

Please note, we are looking forward to welcoming a number of high school students from the area to campus for this keynote presentation. They will be here participating in a Global Career Booster Day which will include language and career programming in the morning. Due to this, tickets for the keynote will be limited. We encourage the campus community to register soon if you wish to attend. A limited waitlist will be available should more seats become available.   

For more information about IEW and to see a full list of all the events happening around campus, please visit the International Education Week webpage.

Remembering Distinguished Professor Emeritus Janusz Brzozowski

This article was originally published on the Computer Science website.

Janusz Brzozowski in 1977.

Janusz (John) A. Brzozowski, a pioneer of Canadian computing and a Professor of Computer Science at the University Waterloo for more than five decades, passed away peacefully on Thursday, October 24, 2019 at Lisaard House after a long battle with cancer. He was 84.

John was born on May 10, 1935 in Warsaw, Poland. In 1939, his father, Wienczyslaw, a captain in the Polish army, was captured and killed in Russia during World War II. In April 1940, John, his mother Maria, and sister Halina were deported to Kazakhstan. In 1942, they escaped with the army of General Anders to Persia. They were refugees in Tehran, and later, in Lebanon, until 1949 when they immigrated to Canada. While in refugee camps, John was educated by other Polish refugees. 

John graduated from St. Michael’s College School in Toronto in 1953. He received a bachelor’s (1957) and master’s degree (1959) in electrical engineering from the University of Toronto. He completed a PhD at Princeton University in 1962.

Before his faculty position at the University of Waterloo in 1967, he taught at the University of Ottawa and the University of California, Berkeley. Over the course of his career, John supervised 15 PhD students and 28 master’s thesis and project students. 

Even after his retirement in 1996, John continued supervising students and publishing papers, including recent contributions that had received best paper awards — the CIAA 2018 Sheng Yu Award for Best Paper for “State Complexity of Overlap Assembly” and the CIAA 2017 Sheng Yu Award for Best Paper for “Complexity of Prefix-Convex Regular Languages.”

John was one of the earliest researchers in theoretical computer science in Canada. He made fundamental contributions to many areas of computer science, including digital circuits, algebra, and the theory of automata. He published almost 200 papers in the scholarly literature, and co-authored two books — Digital Networks with Michael Yoeli in 1978 and Asynchronous Circuits with Carl Seger in 1995.

John Brzozowski in recent times.

John was a significant figure who helped to establish computer science at the University of Waterloo. He was chair of the Department of Computer Science for seven years — from 1978 to 1983 and again from 1987 to 1989 — and during that time he contributed substantially to its current size and international stature. He was also a leader in the development of computer science in Canada and around the world, through the Canadian Computer Science Chairs Committee and the Computing Research Association.

In June 2015, a conference was held at the University of Waterloo in honour of John’s 80th birthday. The event, known as Brzozowski 80, was attended by dozens of his colleagues and former students, who delighted in singing happy birthday to him in Polish. A volume was published in 2017, with contributions from that conference entitled The Role of Theory in Computer Science: Essays Dedicated to Janusz Brzozowski, by World Scientific.

Read the rest of the article on the Computer Science website.

Sorting out the issue of office waste on campus

A line of plastic bottles in the sunlight outside

A message from Plant Operations.

By 2025, the University of Waterloo is aiming to divert at least 60 percent% of campus waste from landfill. Our longer term goal is to be a zero waste campus, diverting 90 percent of our waste from landfill.

You can make a difference!
 
Did you know that in 2018 more than 80 percent of office waste could have been diverted from landfill and recycled or composted? The fact is most office waste consists of coffee cups (organics), coffee cup lids (recycling), tissue (organics), pop cans and water bottles (recycling), paper/post it notes (recycling), food scraps/gum (organics), and snack bar wraps (garbage).

Please be environmentally responsible and take a brief moment to sort the waste you create. You may already know that across campus organic waste can now be disposed of into any washroom waste container – not only is this better for the environment but it also reduces odours. Alternatively, you can dispose of your office organic waste in a kitchenette countertop organics container.  

If you’d like a recycle bin for your office or a countertop organics container for your kitchenette/lunch room, please contact ToolCrib in Plant Ops (ext. 33657). For more information on how you can better sort your waste – consult the waste management information on the Sustainability or Custodial webpages or connect with Environmental Services in Plant Operations (ext. 84000) - we’d be glad to give a short presentation to your team to get them started on the path to Shift Zero.

Fall Open House and other notes

On Saturday, November 2, thousands of prospective students and their families are expected to visit the University of Waterloo for Fall Open House. The schedule of events includes campus tours from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., a student services fair, and tours of residences and athletics facilities. A number of academic sessions and tours will be held within each faculty. Future students and their families will have an opportunity to meet with professors, staff, and current students who can help them learn about what makes Waterloo unique. Free parking is available, and a shuttle bus tour will be running all day to show guests highlights of campus, and assist in reaching their varied destinations around campus. 

The Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences is hosting the 2019 Farvolden Lecture that will feature Professor Ian Clark of the University of Ottawa's Earth and Environmental Sciences department entitled “Environmental isotopes in aquitard research: Are we finding solutions for nuclear waste isolation?” The lecture takes place at 2:00 p.m. in the Humanities Theatre. Can’t attend in person? View the livestream.

Jewish people held at gunpoint in the Warsaw Ghetto.

On Tuesday, November 5, Professor James Diamond, chair of Jewish studies at Waterloo, will give a talk entitled "The Buried Raging Sermons of the Warsaw Ghetto Rabbi," which involves a recovered manuscript of weekly sermons delivered in the Warsaw Ghetto by a Hasidic rabbi desperately trying to preserve his faith in the face of unimaginable loss and pain. The talk is presented in co-operation with the Department of Religious Studies and the Joseph and Wolf Lebovic Chair of Jewish Studies. The event takes place on Tuesday at 7:00 p.m. in the Balsillie School of International Affairs.

Finally, Halloween may have passed us by for another year, but luckily there is photographic evidence of the folks who dressed up and decorated their workspaces across campus:

University Relations staff dressed as Chris Wilson-Smith.

Staff in University Relations dressed up as their stylish colleague Chris Wilson-Smith (seated).

SSOChella – Some of the SSO communications team dressed as Nickelback, ZZ Top, Def Leopard, Destiny’s Child, and One Direction

Student Success Office communications staff celebrated 'SSOChella,' a festival whose lineup included Nickelback, ZZ Top, Def 'Leopard', Destiny’s Child, and One Direction.

Student Success Office staff dressed as characters from Charlie's Angels.

Communications staff in the Student Success Office dressed up as the cast of Charlie's Angels, including Charlie phoning it in via intercom!

Library staff dressed as Pac Man video game characters.

Wokka-wokka-wokka: Library staff members dressed up as Pac Man characters.

Members of Plant Operations pose in their costumes.

Plant Operations held its annual costume contest. The winner this year was Jennifer Letson as the Mad Hatter, with Denise Lachaine getting second prize as Hulk Hogan (this aging Hulkamaniac salutes you, Denise). Special thanks to Dee Bairos, staff member in Key Control, who organized the contest.

Beyond the Bulletin logo with two vintage microphones.

Beyond the Bulletin Episode 21

The latest episode of the Beyond the Bulletin Podcast is now live. In a special extended interview, Feridun Hamdullahpur, Waterloo's president and vice-chancellor, shares details of the new strategic plan for 2020-2025. He will soon host the annual President's Town Hall, too. We've got another fall convocation under our belt. And we're collecting warm socks for those who need them.

Link of the day

The opening title card from the movie Blade Runner, indicating that the film takes place in Los Angeles in November, 2019.

All those moments: time has caught up with Blade Runner

When and Where

Networking At Conferences, Friday, November 1, 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., TC 2218.

How to build an extraordinary career: a talk with Clearbanc co-founders Andrew D'Souza and Michele Romanow, Friday, November 1, 12:00 p.m., Engineering 7 second-floor event space.

2019 Sally Weaver Award Guest Lecture: “Intellectual activism in Anthropology”, Friday, November 1, 12:00 p.m., AL room 124.

NEW - 2019 Farvolden Lecture featuring Professor Ian Clark, University of Ottawa, "Environmental isotopes in aquitard research: Are we finding solutions for nuclear waste isolation?” Friday, November 1, 2:00 p.m., Humanities Theatre. Watch the livestream.

CrySP Speaker Series on Privacy featuring Crispin Cowan, “Privacy: Who Ya Gonna Trust?” Friday, November 1, 2:30 p.m., DC 2585.

Warriors Men's Hockey vs. Laurier Think Pink, Warrior Rec League Night, Battle of Waterloo, Staff and Faculty Appreciation Day, Friday, November 1, 7:00 p.m., CIF Arena.

DaCapo Chamber Choir, "Renewal," Saturday, November 2 and Sunday, November 3.

Fall Open House, Saturday, November 2.

Preventing Depression Relapse: A Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy Group, Monday, November 4, 10:30 a.m., NH 2447 – Register on LEADS.

Waterloo Institute for Complexity and Innovation (WICI)’s Conversations on Complex SystemsMonday, November 4, 12:00 p.m. to 1:30 p.m., DC 1302.

Legal and immigration Services Lunch n’ Learn, “Great Expectations: York and Access Copyright - Bleak House continued or an ending fit for a rehabilitated Ebenezer Scrooge?” Monday, November 4, 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m., Hagey Hall 373. 

NEW - Determined to Thrive—with Heroic Minds, Mental Wellness Panel, Monday, November 4, 1:00 p.m. to 2:30 p.m., HH Theatre. Get your tickets now!

Regulating Emotions: Learning Skills from Dialectical-Behavioural Therapy, Monday, November 4, 1:00 p.m., HS 2302 – Registration is by referral.

Coping Skills Seminar - Empowering Habit Change, Monday, November 4, 3:30 p.m., HS 2302 – Register on LEADS.

Skill Identification and Articulation for Arts Students, Monday, November 4, 5:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., TC 2218.

NEW - High Risk Flu Vaccination ClinicStudents, staff, and faculty are invited to get their influenza vaccination through Health Services, Tuesday, November 5, and Thursday, November 6, 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., HS Family Clinic Waiting Room.

Intellectual Property 101 & Commercialization, Tuesday, November 5, 10:30 p.m. to 12:00 p.m., TC 2218.

NEW - Thrive Walk and United Way ‘Souper’ Tuesday, Tuesday, November 5, 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., meet outside STC building.

Interviews: Preparing for Questions, Tuesday, November 5, 12:30 p.m. to 2:00 p.m., TC 1208.

More Feet on the Ground Mental Health Training for Students, Tuesday, November 5, 1:30 p.m., NH 2447 – Register on LEADS

Women in Mathematics Lean-In Circle event for Students, Tuesday, November 5, 5:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., MC 5501. Pizza and refreshments will be providedRSVP.

What's your employer's problem? – Undergraduate students, Tuesday, November 5, 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., STC 0002.

Chemistry Seminar, “Quantum Monte Carlo approach to the Full Configuration Interaction (FCI) problem,” featuring Ali Alavi, director, Max Planck Institute for Solid State Research, Professor of Theoretical Chemistry, University of Cambridge, UK, Tuesday, November 5, 2:30 p.m., C2-361.

Concept $5K Semi-Finals: Night 1, “Previously known as Velocity Fund $5K Qualifiers. 3-minute pitches in front of a panel of judges to decide which student teams advance to the Finals”, Tuesday, November 5, 7:00 p.m., Science Teaching Complex, Room 0020.

The Buried Raging Sermons of the Warsaw Ghetto Rabbi featuringProfessor James Diamond, Chair of Jewish studies, University of Waterloo, Tuesday, November 5, 7:00 p.m., Balsillie School of International Affairs.

Take Our Kids to Work Day, Wednesday, November 6.

Research Ethics drop-in session for faculty and students, Wednesday, November 6, 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., Dana Porter Library (study booth on the main floor).

Take Your Kids to Work Day: Talking Careers with Your Kids (for employees only), Wednesday, November 6, 12:00 p.m. to 1:30 p.m., TC2218.

Exploring Your Personality Type (Myers-Briggs Type Indicator) Part I, Wednesday, November 6, 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m., TC 1214

Mindfulness Meditation: A Stress Reduction Program, Wednesday, November 6, 2:00 p.m., NH 2447 – Register on LEADS.

Personal Branding - Highlighting Your Strengths, Wednesday, November 6, 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., DPL 329.

Discover Ability Information Session, Wednesday, November 6, 5:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m., TC 1208.

TD Walter Bean Lecture in Environment featuring Professor Jacqueline McGlade, “Together, Building Sustainable Communities,” Wednesday, November 6, 5:30 p.m., Humanities Theatre.

Coping Skills Seminar - Challenging Thinking, Wednesday, November 6, 6:00 p.m., HS 2302 – Register on LEADS.

Concept $5K Semi-Finals: Night 2, “Previously known as Velocity Fund $5K Qualifiers. 3-minute pitches in front of a panel of judges to decide which student teams advance to the Finals”, Wednesday, November 6, 7:00 p.m., Science Teaching Complex, Room 0020.

NEW - High Risk Flu Vaccination ClinicStudents, staff, and faculty are invited to get their influenza vaccination through Health Services, Thursday, November 7, 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., HS Family Clinic Waiting Room.

NEW - Exploring Your Career Interests, Thursday, November 7, 12:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m., TC 1112.

NEW - Faculty Meetup: Caregivers, Thursday, November 7, 2:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m., MC 5501.

NEW - Grad Student Community and Conversation Circle, Thursday, November 7, 3:30 p.m., HS 1106 – Register is on LEADS.

NEW - Interviews: Proving Your Skills, Thursday, November 7, 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., TC 1208.

NEW - Alleviating Anxiety Seminar, Thursday, November 7, 5:00 p.m., HS 2302 – Register on LEADS.

PhD oral defences

School of Optometry & Vision Science. Mohana Kuppuswamy Parthasarathy, "Motion Processing of Reverse Phi." Supervisor, Vasudevan Lakshminarayayan. On deposit in the Science graduat office, PHY 2013. Oral defence Thursday November 7, 2:00 p.m., C2 361.

School of Optometry & Vision Science. Amir Moezzi, "Overnight Corneal Swelling and Deswelling with Silicone Hydrogel Lenses." Supervisor, Trefford Simpson. On deposit in the Science graduate office, PHY 2013. Oral defence Wednesday November 12, 10:30 a.m., STC 2002.

Systems Design Engineering. Jason Deglint, "Automatic Classification of Algae using Multipectral Fluorescence Microscopy & Hierarchical Deep Learning." Supervisor, Alexander Wong. On display in the Engineering graduate office, E7 7402. Oral defence Monday, November 18, 1:00 p.m., EC4 2101A.

English Language and Literature. Jason Lajoie, "Technologies of Identity: A Queer Media Archeology." Supervisor, Marcel O'Gorman. On deposit in the Arts graduate office, PAS 2428. Oral defence Wednesday, November 20, 10:00 a.m., HH 373.

Editor:
Brandon Sweet
University Communications
bulletin@uwaterloo.ca

Column 1

Link of the day

40 years ago: The Last Starfighter

When and Where

The Student Health Pharmacy (located in the lower level of the Student Life Centre) is offering flu shots with no appointments needed daily from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Call 519-746-4500 or extension 33784 for more info. COVID shots will be available on appointment basis only. You can register online at studenthealthpharmacy.ca.

Warriors Youth Summer Camps. Basketball, Baseball, Football, Hockey, Multi-Sport and Volleyball. Register today!

Food Truck Wednesday, Wednesday, May 8 to Wednesday, July 24, 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., Arts Quad.

WatITis 2024 call for proposals, Saturday, June 15 to Friday, August 30.

Green Labs Water Month, Monday, July 1 to Wednesday, July 31.

Ministry for Seniors and AccessibilityWeb Accessibility User Survey to collect feedback from persons with disabilities, July 10 to July 31. Learn more about the short survey.

Student Led Individually Created Course (SLICC) Instructor Workshop: Introduction to the SLICC Framework (CTE7030), Tuesday, July 23, 1:00 p.m. to 2:30 p.m., MC 2036. 

Biomedical Engineering and Technology Research Day, Wednesday, July 24, 11:00 a.m. to 12 noon, poster showcase from 1:00 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. Register on the Centre for Bioengineering and Biotechnology website by July 10 to reserve a poster space.

Afternoon Art Social for Students, Thursday, July 25, 12 noon to 2:00 p.m.

Wicked Problem of Precarity Symposium, Thursday, July 25, 12:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m., SLC Black & Gold Room. Event details - Ticketfi.

WICI World Café and Social: Intro to Complex Systems, Thursday, July 25, 1:00 p.m. to 2:30 p.m., MC 4042 (Optional social from 3:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the Grad House).

Shad Waterloo 2024 Open Day Exhibits, Thursday, July 25, 1:30 p.m. to 4:00 p.m., Conrad Grebel Great Hall. 

NeuroMinds Collective for Students, Thursday, July 25, 2:30 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.To learn more and/or to register, please contact Chris Martin.

Chemistry Seminar, “Recent development and applications in U-shaped mobility analyzer - Mass spectrometry,”featuring Dr. Wenjian Sun, Managing Director, Shimadzu Research Laboratory, Shanghai, China, Friday, July 26, 2:30 p.m., C2-361 Reading Room.

Sweet Dreams: UWaterloo Jazz Ensemble, Sunday, July 28, 2:00 p.m., Great Hall (room 1111) at Conrad Grebel University College. Free admission.

Serenades, Ships, and Tombs: Orchestra@UWaterloo, Sunday, July 28, 7:30 p.m., Knox Presbyterian Church, 50 Erb St. West Waterloo. Free admission.

Last day of lectures and classes, Tuesday, July 30.

Pre-examination study days, Wednesday, July 31 and Thursday, August 1.

WICI Workshop: People Need People – A Warm Data Lab Approach, Thursday, August 1, 9:00 a.m. to 12 noon, online via Zoom.

Knowledge Gathering and Sharing Consultation Sessions: 2STNBGNC+ allies who are employees (staff and faculty), Tuesday, August 6, 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m., virtual. Register.

Knowledge Gathering and Sharing Consultation Sessions: 2STNBGNC+ allies who are employees (staff and faculty), Wednesday, August 7,11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., in person. Register.

Safeguarding Science: Raising awareness of security risks and mitigation tools in the research ecosystem, Wednesday, August 7, 1:00 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.

Ontario Mennonite Music Camp, Sunday, August 11 to Friday, August 23. 

WICI Speaker Series: Embracing Complexity in Sustainability Transitions with Dr. Enayat Moallemi, Monday, August 19, 10:00. a.m. to 11:30 a.m., DC 1302.

PhD oral defences

Kinesiology and Health Sciences. Brendan Luke Pinto, "Effects of posture and trunk muscle coordination on multi-joint lifting strength: Implications for individualized movement assessment and intervention." Supervisor, Dr. Jack P. Callaghan. Email Health Graduate Administration for a copy. Oral defence Tuesday, July 30, 1:00 p.m., EXP 1686 and hybrid.

Pure Mathematics. Aiden Suter, "Mathematical aspects of Higgs and Coulomb branches." Supervisor, Dr. Ben Webster. Thesis available from MGO - mgo@uwaterloo.ca. Oral defence Wednesday, July 31, 5:00 p.m., remote.

Civil & Environmental Engineering. Yue Li, "Direct Method of Generating Floor Response Spectra for Structures Considering Soil- Structure Interaction." Supervisor, Dr. Wei-Chau Xie. Thesis available via SharePoint - email eng.phd@uwaterloo.ca to request a viewing link. Oral defence Thursday, August 1, 8:30 a.m., remote.

Electrical & Computer Engineering. Anshul Goyal, "Emerging Electricity Markets: Including New ESTs & Integrating DERs via ISO-DSO Coordination." Supervisor, Dr. Kankar Bhattacharya. Thesis available via SharePoint - email eng.phd@uwaterloo.ca to request a viewing link. Oral defence Thursday, August 1, 9:00 a.m., EIT 3142.

Upcoming service interruptions

Stay up to date on service interruptions, campus construction, and other operational changes on the Plant Operations website. Upcoming service interruptions include:

  • MC to QNC Pedestrian Bridge temporary closure, Monday, June 17 to Friday, September 27, no access to bridge between QNC to MC due to construction.
  • UW Place sidewalk construction, Monday, July 15 to Friday, July 26, roadside parking lots, local community roads and sidewalks will be strategically closed for a temporary period, vehicles and pedestrians will be directed to alternative routes.
  • Pedestrian pathway closure, Wednesday, July 24, 8:00 a.m to 4:00 p.m., pedestrian traffic and cyclists detoured through Laurel Trail, with detour signage posted at pathway locations.
  • School of Architecture fire alarm testing, Friday, July 26, 9:00 a.m., fire alarm will sound, building evacuation not required.
  • Pharmacy and Integrated Health Building electrical shutdown, Saturday, July 27, 7:00 a.m. for 8 hours, power off to both buildings, emergency power will be available, elevator in IHB will be off, one elevator in Pharmacy will be operational.
  • ESC loading dock crane operation, Monday, July 29, 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., loading dock closed for the duration, all vehicles must be removed from EIT parking stalls, minor disruption for traffic entering Chem Road under C2 bridge.
  • Biology 1, Biology 2, Health Services, Quantum Nano Centre, Science Teaching Centre, Research Advancement Centre, Research Advancement 2 fire alarm testing, Monday, July 29, 7:30 a.m. to 8:15 a.m., fire alarm will sound, building evacuation not required.
  • Toby Jenkins Building fire alarm testing, Wednesday, July 31, 7:00 a.m. to 7:30 a.m., fire alarm will sound, building evacuation not required.
  • UWP-Waterloo Court, UWP-Woolwich Court, UWP-Beck Hall fire alarm testing, Wednesday, July 31, 1:00 p.m. to 2:30 p.m., fire alarm will sound, building evacuation not required.
  • ESC building electrical shutdown, August 24, 6:00 a.m. for 14 hours, building will be closed, all power to ESC will be shut down, elevators will not be functional.