Wednesday, December 4, 2019


Concept $5K winners announced

Concept winners with their oversized cheques.

This article was originally published on the Concept by Velocity blog.

During Global Entrepreneurship Week, finalists competed for $5,000 grants to help them kick-start their businesses and turn their concepts into realities. From a fully autonomous commercial airline service to an innovative online food court, each competitor had just 3 minutes to pitch their tech-based business idea to a panel of judges.  

The Concept $5K Finals competition (previously known as the Velocity Fund Finals $5K) was hosted in the Student Life Centre at the University of Waterloo and drew in an audience of over two hundred. Having advanced from the Semi-Finals round, nine finalists took to the stage to pitch and compete for one of four Concept $5K Grants. The competition is held three times a year, and students from any faculty who want to build an early-stage startup can enter. 

“This competition is about winning, but it’s also about inspiring the campus and other students to pursue their ideas too,” said Camelia Nunez, director of Concept. 

Now we can add four more winners to our ‘Ones to Watch’ list:

CodeGEM

CodeGEM is developing a feedback management system to quantify code improvements and promote better feedback. CodeGEM has had 20+ users install their system and will use the $5,000 to continue market validation. 

Team members: 

  • Stephanie Mills, Management Engineering
  • Ian Kemp, Management Engineering
  • Kaylyn Lau, Management Engineering

Flowy

Flowy is building AI-powered digital transformation tools to commoditize frictionless automation. They currently have two demos in the pipeline and a letter of intent. Flowy will use the $5,000 to refine their software and implement their first pilot in 2020. 

Team members:

  • Neil Liu, Computer Science
  • Kevin Cheng, Mathematics
  • David Zhao, Accounting and Financial Management

Ribbit

Ribbit aims to create the world’s first fully autonomous commercial airline service. Ribbit will use the $5,000 to validate its software on an actual flight marker, and in the future plan to buy a recreational plane to retrofit. 

Team members: 

  • Jeremy Wang, Ph.D. of Mechanical Engineering
  • Carl Pigeon, Master of Aerospace Engineering, University of Toronto

Scope

Scope is building lenses with electronically tunable optical power. Scope will put the $5,000 towards advanced prototyping materials and testing. In 2020 they aim to have a zooming system complete and to file their patents.

Team members: 

  • Fernando Pena, Nanotechnology Engineering
  • Zhenle Cao, Nanotechnology Engineering
  • Ishan Mishra, Nanotechnology Engineering
  • Alisha Bhanji, Nanotechnology Engineering
  • Holden Beggs, Nanotechnology Engineering

Read the rest of the article on the Concept website.

Waterloo signs MOU with Korean research institute

Feridun Hamdullahpur (centre), president and vice-chancellor of the University of Waterloo, poses with Heo Seong-mu (left), the mayor of Changwon, and Choe Gyu-ha, president of the Korea Electrotechnology Research Institute, at a signing ceremony.

Feridun Hamdullahpur (centre), president and vice-chancellor of the University of Waterloo, poses with Heo Seong-mu (left), the mayor of Changwon, and Choe Gyu-ha, president of the Korea Electrotechnology Research Institute, at a signing ceremony.

This article was originally published on the Faculty of Engineering website.

Officials from South Korea and the University of Waterloo gathered in early November to formally launch what they hope will become a long-term research collaboration focused on modernizing manufacturing through the introduction of artificial intelligence (AI) technology.

A delegation of almost 20 dignitaries from South Korea, including the mayor of the city of Changwon and the president of a large research institute, joined Feridun Hamdullahpur, president and vice-chancellor of the University, at a ceremony to sign a memorandum of understanding.

“We consider this the beginning of a larger, deeper relationship,” said HJ Kwon, an engineering professor who is leading the initiative for Waterloo. “There is great potential to establish collaborations with other Korean cities and other research institutes.”

Earlier in the day, the South Korean dignitaries also attended a memorandum of understanding signing ceremony with the City of Waterloo to explore partnership opportunities between the two cities.

The visit by officials from Changwon, the Korea Electrotechnology Research Institute (KERI) and the Republic of Korea consulate in Toronto also included local tours of Google Canada, Communitech and the Velocity program at Waterloo.

The economy of Changwon, a city of more than a million residents, is anchored by heavy manufacturing in areas including shipbuilding, and the automotive and defense industries. KERI, a government-funded, 600-member institute dedicated to electrical technology, is located there.

The aim of the collaboration is to modernize Changwon’s manufacturing companies by leveraging the expertise of Waterloo researchers in AI, engineering and computer science. Robotics, automation and the Internet of Things are among the technologies they could introduce.

Read the rest of the article on the Engineering website.

See you, Scantron

A message from Information Systems & Technology (IST).

Effective January 30, 2020, the IST Scantron machine will no longer be available for use. No Scantron appointments will be accepted after this date.   

To book a Scantron appointment prior to the deadline, up to and including January 29, 2020, use the online form.  

As Scantron is wound down, Akindi is the new centrally supported multiple-choice exam processing tool and its full roll out will occur over the winter 2020 term. Akindi is an easy-to-use service that allows you to create and grade assessments using regular paper and any scanner. Where you once used Scantron for multiple-choice assessments, you can now use Akindi. Visit the Akindi website to learn more

There will be two live webinar-based training sessions in January 2020. Participants can register to join in person or use the Zoom link on the Akindi website to join from your office or home.  

  • Tuesday, January 14, 2020, 9:30 to 10:30 a.m., Davis Centre (DC) 1304 

  • Thursday, January 23, 2020, 2:00 to 3:00 p.m., Davis Centre (DC) 1304 

Anyone with questions or concerns can contact the IST Service Desk at helpdesk@uwaterloo.ca or ext. 44357.

Wednesday's notes

A correction to note: on Monday, December 2 the Daily Bulletin announced the dates of the upcoming pension information sessions and included inaccurate information about the latter two sessions. The correct lineup of information sessions is as follows:

  • Monday, December 9, 2019 - RCH 301 - 12:00 p.m. to 1:30 p.m.
  • Monday, December 9, 2019 - RCH 301 - 2:30 to 4:00 p.m.
  • Monday, December 9, 2019 - RCH 301 - 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
  • Tuesday, December 17, 2019 - RCH 301 - 10:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
  • Tuesday, December 17, 2019 - RCH 301 - 1:00 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.

The Daily Bulletin regrets the error.

The fall 2019 issue of the IST Newsletter is now available. Read about: 

  • the new multiple-choice exam processing service, Akindi
  • a behind the scenes look at the ITMS Media Production Studio
  • IST's first cyber security pop-up booth
  • the new WatSAFE desktop alert tool
  • and more.

Library Holi-yay image featuring a cartoon penguin with a candy cane."Brace your elves, it's almost exam time!" says a note from the Library as they announce that it's Holi-Yay this week. Festive activities are happening all week long, including a green screen from 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. in the Dana Porter Library today, Trail Mix served up in the Davis Centre from 10:30 a.m. to noon while supplies last on Thursday, December 5 and Roget Thesaurus in the Dana Porter Library lobby on Friday, December 6 from 11:00 a.m. to noon, and communal knitting from 10:00 a.m to 2:00 p.m. Friday in Dana Porter.

Link of the day

70 years of NATO

When and Where

16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence, Monday, November 25 to Tuesday, December 10.

University Club Holiday Lunch Buffet, Thursday, November 28 to Monday, December 23, 11:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., University Club.

2019 President’s Town Hall survey, open until Friday, December 20.

Free Exam Fitness, Monday, December 2 to Friday, December 20.

Student Life Centre Housing Office closed, Monday, December 2 to Friday, December 6, SLC 0134 lower atrium.

NEW - Pre-examination study days, Wednesday, December 4 and Thursday, December 5.

Research Ethics drop-in session for faculty and students, Wednesday, December 4, 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., Dana Porter Library (study booth on the main floor).

Philosophy Social Hour, Wednesday, December 4, 2:30 p.m., HH 335.

Golden Boar Awards Fall 2019, Wednesday, December 4, 4:00 p.m., Ev3 4408.

Coping Skills Seminar – Thriving With Emotions, Wednesday, December 4, 6:00 p.m., HS 2302 – Register on LEADS.

Faculty Association General Meeting, Thursday, December 5, 12:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m., QNC 1502.

QPR Mental Health Training for Faculty and Staff, Thursday, December 5, 1:30 p.m., NH 2447 – Register on Workday.

Seminar: Towards Fair and Accurate Peer Review, featuring Ivan Stelmakh, School of Computer Science, Carnegie Mellon University, Thursday, December 5, 2:30 p.m., DC 1302.

Social Impact Showcase, Thursday, December 5, 4:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m., STP 164.

Life drawing session, Thursday, December 5, 6:30 p.m., ECH 1224A.

NEW - On-campus examinations begin, Friday, December 6.

NEW - Online examination days, Friday, December 6 and Saturday, December 7. 

Ecohydrology Research Symposium, Friday, December 6, 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., DC 1302.

Research Strategic Plan Consultation for postdoctoral fellows. Help shape the future of research at Waterloo. Friday, December 6, 9:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m., East Campus 5, Room 3167. Register to attend.

National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women memorial event, Friday, December 6, 10:30 a.m., Engineering 7 Second Floor Atrium.

Research Strategic Plan Consultation for graduate students. Help shape the future of research at Waterloo. Friday, December 6, 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m., East Campus 5, Room 3167. Register to attend.

Research Strategic Plan Consultation for undergraduate students. Help shape the future of research at Waterloo. Friday, December 6, 3 p.m. to 4:30 p.m., East Campus 5, Room 3167. Register to attend.

Make-A-Difference Market, Saturday, December 7, 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Conrad Grebel atrium.

Germanic and Slavic Studies Conference, Monday, December 9.

Preventing Depression Relapse: A Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy Group, Monday, December 9, 10:30 a.m., NH 2447 – Register on LEADS.

Pension plan information session, Monday, December 9, 12:00 p.m. to 1:30 p.m., RCH 301.

Pension plan information session, Monday, December 9, 2:30 p.m. to 4:00 p.m., RCH 301.

Eating Disorder Support Group, Monday, December 9, 4:30 p.m., NH 3308 – Register on LEADS.

Pension plan information session, Monday, December 9, 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., RCH 301.

4th Waterloo Symposium on Technology and Society featuring keynote lecture by Douglas Rushkoff, "Team Human: It's Time to Remake Society Together as the Team We Are," Tuesday, December 10, 7:00 p.m., Balsille School of International Affairs.

Research Ethics drop-in session for faculty and students, Wednesday, December 11, 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., Dana Porter Library (study booth on the main floor).

Webinar: Copyright for Teaching, Wednesday, December 11, 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Deadline to get "Fees Arranged," Tuesday, December 12.

Brown Bag Lunch: Let's chat about Healthy Relationships, Thursday, December 12, 12:00 p.m., HH 373.

Alleviating Anxiety Seminar, Tuesday, December 12, 5:00 p.m., HS 2302 – Register on LEADS.

Life Drawing Session, Tuesday, December 12, 6:30 p.m., ECH 1224A.

President's Holiday Luncheon, Wednesday, December 13, 12:00 p.m., Federation Hall.

Pension plan information session, Tuesday, December 17, 10:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., RCH 301.

Pension plan information session, Tuesday, December 17, 1:00 p.m. to 2:30 p.m., RCH 301.

Research Ethics drop-in session for faculty and students, Wednesday, December 18, 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., Dana Porter Library (study booth on the main floor).

Retirement celebration for Phil Knipe, Wednesday, December 18, 3:30 p.m. to 5:00 p.m., Graduate House green room. RSVP to edoede@uwaterloo.ca.

NEW - Co-operative work term ends, Friday, December 20.

NEW - on-campus examinations end, Saturday, December 21.

Positions available

On this week's list from the human resources department, viewable on the UWaterloo Talent Acquisition System (iCIMS):

  • Job ID# 2019-4871 - Administrative Coordinator and Advisor, Undergraduate Studies - French Studies, USG 5
  • Job ID# 2019-4349 - Coordinator, International Agreements - Waterloo International, USG 8
  • Job ID# 2019-4804 - Events and Engagement Coordinator - AVP Human Rights, Equity & Inclusion, USG 7
  • Job ID# 2019-4682 - GEDI Client Manager - VP University Research, USG 14
  • Job ID# 2019-4961 - Instructional Support Coordinator - School of Computer Science, USG 8 – 9
  • Job ID# 2019-4962 - Liaison Librarian, Optometry & Biology – Library, USG 10 – 13
  • Job ID# 2019-4762 - Manager, Architecture Computing and Media- School of Architecture, USG 11
  • Job ID# 2019-4947 - Manager, Data Quality - Advancement Services, USG 8
  • Job ID# 2019-4966 - MASc/MEng Coordinator/Advisor - Electrical & Computer Eng, USG 6
  • Job ID# 2019-4948 - Stationary Engineer 3rd Class - Plant Operations-Central Plant, CUPE
  • Job ID# 2019-4972 - Assistant Supervisor - Food Services-Tim Hortons SLC, USG 5 - 6

Internal secondment opportunities:

  • Job ID# 2019-4963 - Liaison Librarian, English, Communication Arts and Fine Arts – Library, USG 9 – 13
  • Job ID# 2019-4941 - Sharcnet Systems Administrator - Cyber Security - Office of Research, USG 11
  • Job ID# 2019-4955 - Student Service Specialist - Student Service Centre, USG 5
  • Job ID# 2019-4841 - Technology Specialist - Dean of Engineering Office-Outreach, USG 7