Friday, November 15, 2019

The talk of the town hall

The President's Town Hall Meeting was held on Tuesday, November 12. More than 350 people braved the cold and snow to make the trek to Federation Hall, with more than 300 viewing the event via livestream.

The event was hosted by Sandra Banks, vice-president, university relations. "This town hall has become a fixture in our fall calendar at Waterloo and a highly-anticipated one given the early sign-up numbers and those of you in the room today," Banks said in her introductory remarks. "This is an excellent opportunity for the campus community to come together and discuss the state of the University with our president. It offers a valuable forum for sharing key updates and addressing matters that are important to you."

"I am grateful for your presence here, and it is fantastic to see so many of you here," said President Feridun Hamdullahpur as he began his presentation. "This is a point of great pride and excitement and reminder to myself and to all my colleagues who are sitting here, vice-presidents and deans, as to why it's so important to engage in such an active and fulfilling conversation with colleagues at the University. Your presence here today is a huge affirmation that this institution belongs to all of us and that you take an important part in advancing our institution."

In his presentation, President Hamdullahpur touched on highlights from the past year, including innovative research successes and the opening of the Field House on the north campus and the Centre in Needles Hall, institutional performance indicators, and the University's 2020-2025 Strategic Plan. "Hundreds and hundreds of people worked very hard in bringing this strategic plan to its final point," Hamdullahpur said. "The greatness of our strategic plan resides the fact that you all made it happen. You all have a piece of it in there."

President Hamdullahpur reviewed the plan's signature commitments and how they were interconnected within the institution, and touched on the implementation process that follows the plan's release. 

Following the president's presentation, Sandra Banks moderated the town hall's question and answer session, taking questions from the floor, from online, and from the questions submitted in advance by event registrants. The questions touched on issues ranging from the Okanagan Charter and student mental health, to the tension between the University's commitment to sustainability and its investments in fossil fuel companies, to how the University is dealing with the new metrics proposed in the Ontario government's Strategic Mandate Agreement, to international student fees and the perennial "will Waterloo ever get a med school?"

At the conclusion of the Q&A period, Banks indicated that every effort would be made to respond to the questions that were submitted on the President's Town Hall website. Keep checking that site for updates and for the video recording of the President's Town Hall meeting in the coming days.

If you were unable to attend the event or watch it live online, you can still view the livestream.

Fall 2019 Magazine considers Everyday Superhumans

The Fall 2019 issue of Waterloo Magazine is now online.

Humanity stands at the threshold of a new frontier of health. As our population ages, and new technologies, innovations and treatments emerge to meet our greatest health challenges, a new contingent of health leaders are emerging to expand the limits of our lives and thrive doing so. You’re invited to discover how Waterloo’s best are making superhuman efforts to transform us into Everyday Superhumans.

In this issue, learn how Stephen Scherer (BSc ’87, DSc ’17), is mapping our DNA to unlock the mysteries of illness at the hospital for SickKids, how biostatistician Jenna Sykes, (BMath ’08, MMath ’10) deploys data as a potent weapon against disease, and the special reason why two alumni are using their engineering degrees to help children walk for the first time.

From fighting cancer, to managing autism and innovating medtech to pioneering psychology, how we as a community rise to meet the challenges will define a generation and reimagine how we live healthier lives for generations to come.

The print edition of the Waterloo Magazine will be available in early December.

Waterloo Region Alumni Chapter launches with commitment to community

By Claire Mastrangelo.

Waterloo alumni filled Catalyst137 on Tuesday night at the highly anticipated launch of the Waterloo Region Alumni Chapter. Approximately 140 proud graduates and guests gathered for a panel discussion called “Stronger Together,” which explored the importance of building community in Waterloo. The conversation touched on the region’s unique ecosystem and the meaningful impact that Waterloo alumni make on each other’s lives, even after university. 

Kurtis McBride (BASc ’04, MASc ’08), CEO of Miovision, moderated the discussion with Wendi Campbell (BA ’93), Chief Executive Officer of the Food Bank of Waterloo Region, and Laura Flatt (BES ’08), Community Engagement Program Manager at Vidyard. Alumni and guests shared their insights and ideas in a Q&A session after the panel.

“It’s our hope that members of our alumni network can inspire each other to think big, take action and make an impact on the future, for themselves personally and for our community,” said Hanna Domagala (BES ’99, MArch ’02), co-chair of the Waterloo chapter. “Our guests tonight include alumni from every faculty, with degrees dating back to the 1960s. Just imagine the knowledge and experience we can share with each other.”

This is the newest of 12 alumni chapters worldwide, including Toronto, San Francisco, London (UK) and Beijing. Nearly 40,000 alumni live in the Waterloo region, making it the second-largest population of Waterloo graduates in any city worldwide.

Led by alumni volunteers, chapters offer a wide variety of activities for both graduates and students on co-op and exchange terms. The groups organize everything from career panels to global Canada Day celebrations. They also help the University achieve its strategic goals by sharing success stories, connecting fellow alumni with Waterloo and supporting students in their professional growth.

“Our University of Waterloo community is making the world a better place,” said Feridun Hamdullahpur, president and vice-chancellor, at the event. “Alumni and volunteers help us every step of the way, and tonight is a perfect example of that.”

Learn more about the Waterloo Region Alumni Chapter.