Tuesday, March 15, 2022


Convocation returns to in-person ceremonies this spring

The Convocation stage setup in the Physical Activities Complex.

"After much anticipation, we are pleased to announce that our 2022 Spring Convocation ceremonies will be held in person," wrote President Vivek Goel in a memo distributed to the campus community today. "Keeping our campus community safe remains our top priority."

"We are offering each of our eligible graduates two guest tickets. As in recent years, convocation ceremonies will be livestreamed for those who aren’t able to attend in person."

"Since convocations were celebrated virtually during the pandemic, we are also inviting our 2020 and 2021 alumni back to campus to recognize their monumental achievements through four special in-person ceremonies. Similar to our 2022 graduates, returning alumni will receive a link to our ticketing system where they’ll each receive two guest tickets. These special ceremonies will also be hosted online for those that are unable to attend in person."

"Please note that we will continue to monitor public health guidelines and follow COVID-19 safety protocols in accordance with the University of Waterloo’s policies and procedures," the president writes. "Many staff and faculty are working together to ensure our students and alumni have a memorable experience, one that will be shared both in-person and virtually."

Convocation celebrations will take place on the following days:

Class of 2020 Convocation Celebrations

Saturday, June 11, 2022
10:30 a.m. — Faculty of Arts, Health and Mathematics
1:30 p.m. — Faculty of Engineering, Environment and Science 

Class of 2021 Convocation Celebrations

Sunday, June 12, 2022
10:30 a.m. — Faculty of Arts, Health and Mathematics
1:30 p.m. — Faculty of Engineering, Environment and Science 

2022 Spring Convocations

Tuesday, June 14, 2022
10:00 a.m. — Faculty of Health
2:30 p.m. — Faculty of Environment

Wednesday, June 15, 2022
10:00 a.m. — Faculty of Arts
2:30 p.m. — Faculty of Arts
6:30 p.m. — Faculty of Arts

Thursday, June 16, 2022
10:00 a.m. — Faculty of Mathematics 
2:30 p.m. — Faculty of Mathematics
6:30 p.m. — Faculty of Mathematics

Friday, June 17, 2022
10:00 a.m. — Faculty of Science
2:30 p.m. — Faculty of Science
6:30 p.m. — Faculty of Engineering

Saturday, June 18, 2022
10:00 a.m. — Faculty of Engineering
2:30 p.m. — Faculty of Engineering
6:30 p.m. — Faculty of Engineering

Up-to-date information is also available on the Convocation website. You can email convocation@uwaterloo.ca if you have any questions or wish to express interest in volunteering to be part of this exciting time for the University.

Capstone Design Symposia season begins

Engineering students stand with their Capstone display inside Engineering 7.

A message from the Faculty of Engineering.

The Faculty of Engineering is returning to in-person Capstone Design Symposia starting Tuesday, March 15 with the Systems Design and Biomedical events happening today in Engineering 7.

Members of the University of Waterloo campus community are invited to check out our innovative upper-year student projects in Engineering 7’s Event Space on the second floor.

Please note that while this year’s Capstone events will be held in person, they are not open to the general public. Off-campus guests must be invited personally and escorted by a department representative. All University COVID-19 safety protocols will be in effect throughout the symposia.

New this year, there will be People’s Choice voting, with $500 awarded to the project team receiving the most votes during each in-person symposium. Be sure to cast a ballot at each event for your favourite 2022 Capstone project.

Capstone Symposium dates and times

  • Biomedical: March 15 | 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. | Engineering 7, 2nd Floor Events Space;
  • Systems Design:  March 15 | 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. | Engineering 7, 2nd Floor Events Space;
  • Electrical and Computer: March 17 | 1:30 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. | Engineering 7, 2nd Floor Events Space;
  • Mechatronics:  March 18 | 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. | Engineering 7, 2nd Floor Events Space;
  • Nanotechnology: March 23 | 1:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. | Engineering 7, 2nd Floor Events Space;
  • Management: March 23 | 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. | Engineering 7, 2nd Floor Events Space;
  • Civil, Environmental and Geological: March 24 | 12 noon to 4:30 p.m. | Engineering 7, 2nd Floor Events Space;
  • Mechanical: March 25 1:00-5:00 PM | Engineering 7, 2nd Floor Events Space;
  • Interdisciplinary: March 25| Virtual Event Only;
  • Chemical: March 28 | 1:30-2:30 PM | Engineering 7, 2nd Floor Events Space; and
  • Software: March 29 | 4:00-6:00 PM | Engineering 7, 2nd Floor Events Space.

Register now for the 2022 Advisor Conference

A message from the Academic Advising Community of Practice.

Registration is now open for the 2022 University of Waterloo Advisor Conference: Riding the Wave of Change. Please join us online on April 27 and 28 to connect with your campus advising community.

We have all invested time adjusting to changing expectations for students, and our workplace, over another challenging year. At the 2022 virtual conference you can connect, share information, and attend sessions to further develop your advising practice and enhance the vital service you provide to Waterloo students.

Agenda highlights:

Eternity Martis, award-winning Toronto-based artist and author of They Said This Would be Fun: Race, Campus Life, and Growing Up, will provide a keynote address on the topic of “What does it mean to be a student (and woman) of colour on a Canadian university campus today?  

Concurrent sessions include:

  • Leveraging physical activity and play to support students, presented by Donna Rheams, Sr. Manager Active Living and Wellness, Athletics and Recreation.
  • Maintaining good and supportive boundaries with students, presented by Amanda Cook, Director, Sexual Violence Prevention and Response Office and Meaghan Ross, Sexual Violence Response Coordinator, SVRPO
  • And so much more!

All staff who advise undergraduate or graduate students in academics, career or another capacity are encouraged to attend. Register by April 15 in Portal.

Lecture looks at a life worthy of living

Waterloo Centre for German Studies.

The Dis/Ability in German Literature series, jointly organized by the Waterloo Centre for German Studies (WCGS) and the Germanic & Slavic Studies Department (GSS) continues this week with A life worthy of living: Kolmar's Susanna by Professor Alec Cattell of Texas Tech University.

"Join Dr. Cattell for an interactive virtual discussion about Gertrud Kolmar's last surviving literary work, the novella Susanna," says the lecture's background information. "After exploring the social and political context in which Susanna was written, the conversation will turn to Kolmar's mode of representing the protagonist as a person with a disability as well as the ways in which she negotiates disability myths and deploys disability rhetorics to inspire readers to read stories about disability ethically."

The event takes place on Thursday, March 17 from 1:00 p.m. to 2:20 p.m. online. For more information and to register, please visit the Eventbrite page.

This series of talks focuses on Dis/Ability Studies both within and beyond German Studies. Organized by Professor Michael Boehringer as part of his Disability in German Literature course, the presentations cover critical disability studies, myths and rhetorics of disability, German literature, and a public reading and discussion. All talks are free and open to the public and will be hosted on Zoom.

Delivering sight-saving drugs better, for longer

Research professor Chau-Min Phan works in a laboratory.

By Angie Docking. This article was originally published on Waterloo News.

Finding efficient and comfortable methods for the delivery of drugs to the eye remains a significant challenge for vision scientists — and one that University of Waterloo researchers at the Centre for Eye and Vision Research (CEVR) are undertaking in real time.

Under the leadership of Waterloo’s Dr. Lyndon Jones, researchers at Hong Kong’s Centre for Eye and Vision Research are working hard to answer the age-old question: how can we create effective, non-invasive drug solutions for our eyes?

Improving drug delivery to the front of the eye

Because of the tear drainage system, our eyes are naturally adept at removing foreign substances, making eye drops notoriously inefficient, says Dr. Chau-Minh Phan, a lead researcher for CEVR’s drug delivery platform.

“After application, they drain away from the ocular surface quickly. They can overspill. And a large proportion of the drop is absorbed into surrounding blood vessels, steering the medicine away from the front of the eye, where you want it to be most active,” Phan says. Estimates indicate that a person will only absorb about 5 per cent of the medicinal properties from eye drops currently on the market.

From 3D printing to light-activated materials, researchers at CEVR are on the cusp of developing a range of technologies that will enable drug delivery in a time-controlled manner using ocular inserts and contact lenses. Instead of applying multiple drops a day, patients would simply apply an insert at the base of their eye or wear a drug-releasing contact lens for up to a week.

“When your sight is on the line, you want to know you’re getting the best treatment,” Phan says. “The slow-release systems we’re building will increase treatment efficacy while also improving the patient experience."

Replacing eye injections with laser technology

To date, delivering medication to the back of the eye has been the biggest challenge facing ophthalmologists treating eye disease.  

Intravitreal injections — a shot of medicine into the vitreous, a jelly-like fluid at the back of the eye — are currently the gold standard for treating posterior eye disease. Not only does this type of treatment invoke fear in many patients, but Phan says there is also serious risk of infection.

“In most cases, injections need to be repeated frequently — every three months or less for patients with diseases like age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Every time they receive a shot, a patient may experience complications”.

Researchers at CEVR, including Waterloo professor and Nobel Laureate Donna Strickland and professor Melanie Campbell, have zeroed in on an innovative new laser technology that would eliminate the need for AMD patients to receive on-going intravitreal injections.

The leading cause of vision loss in older adults, AMD happens when an abnormal amount of blood vessels grow and leak beneath the retina, causing blurry vision. Using this first-of-its-kind laser technology, practitioners would be able to non-invasively eliminate excess blood vessels to effectively slow the progression of the disease.

Bringing together global talent

Now a year into their work at Waterloo’s hub for global vision research, Dr. Jones says creating the ocular drug delivery research program at CEVR has opened the door to work with incredible talent from all over the world.

“It's been exciting to see the extraordinary pool of talented researchers we’ve been able to assemble at CEVR,” Dr. Jones says.

“With every new collaboration comes new ideas and skills and the opportunity to change the way we’re delivering treatment to millions of patients for the better.”

Link of the day

William Hurt, 1950 - 2022

When and Where to get support

Students can visit the Student Success Office online for supports including academic development, international student resources, immigration consulting, leadership development, exchange and study abroad, and opportunities to get involved.

Instructors looking for targeted support for developing online components for blended learning courses, transitioning remote to fully online courses, revising current online courses, and more please visit Agile Development | Centre for Extended Learning | University of Waterloo (uwaterloo.ca).

Instructors can visit the Keep Learning website to get support on adapting their teaching and learning plans for an online environment.

Course templates are available within your course in LEARN to help you build and edit your content and assignment pages quickly.

The following workshops, webinars, and events are offered by the KL team (CTE, CEL, ITMS, LIB):

Supports are available for employees returning to campus. Visit IST’s Hybrid Work and Technology guidelines and workplace protocols to assist with the transition.

The Writing and Communication Centre has virtual services and programs to help undergradsgrad students, postdocs and faculty members with academic writing.

Co-op students can get help finding a job and find supports to successfully work remotely, develop new skills, access wellness and career information, and contact a co-op or career advisor.

The Centre for Career Action (CCA) has virtual services and programs to support undergrads, grad students, postdocs, alumni and employees in figuring out what they value, what they’re good at, and how to access meaningful work, co-op, volunteer, or graduate/professional school opportunities. Questions about CCA's services? Live chat, call 519-888-4047, or stop by our front desk in the Tatham Centre between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. EST, Monday to Friday.

Drop-in to Warrior Virtual Study Halls on Wednesdays from 5:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Come together in this virtual space to set goals and work independently or in groups each week.

Renison's English Language Institute continues to offer virtual events and workshops to help students practice their English language skills.

If you feel overwhelmed or anxious and need to talk to somebody, please contact the University’s Campus Wellness services, either Health Services or  Counselling Services. You can also contact the University's Centre for Mental Health Research and TreatmentGood2Talk is a post-secondary student helpline available to all students.

The Library is open with expanded hours for access to book stacks, drop-in individual study space, bookable group study rooms, drop-in access to computers and printers, book pick-up services and IST Help Desk support. Librarian consultations, Special Collections & Archives and the Geospatial Centre are available by appointment. Full details on current services and hours are available on the Library’s COVID-19 Update webpage.

The Faculty Association of the University of Waterloo (FAUW) continues to advocate for its members. Check out the FAUW blog for more information.

The University of Waterloo Staff Association (UWSA) continues to advocate for its members. Check out the UWSA blog for more information.

The Sexual Violence Prevention and Response Office (SVPRO) supports all members of the University of Waterloo campus community who have experienced, or been impacted, by sexual violence. This includes all students, staff, faculty and visitors on the main campus, the satellite campuses, and at the affiliated and federated Waterloo Institutes and Colleges. For support, email: svpro@uwaterloo.ca or visit the SVPRO website.

The Office of Indigenous Relations is a central hub that provides guidance, support, and resources to all Indigenous and non-Indigenous campus community members and oversees the University's Indigenization strategy.

The Waterloo Indigenous Student Centre, based at St. Paul’s University College, provides support and resources for Indigenous students, and educational outreach programs for the broader community, including lectures, and events.

WUSA supports for students:

Peer support  - MATES, Glow Centre, RAISE, Women’s Centre - Visit https://wusa.ca/peersupport to book an appointment either in person or online for the Fall term.

Food Support Service food hampers are currently available from the Turnkey Desk 24/7 in the Student Life Centre. Drop off locations are also open again in SLC, DC, DP, SCH and all residences.

Co-op Connection all available online. Check https://wusa.ca for more details.

Centre for Academic Policy Support - CAPS is here to assist Waterloo undergraduates throughout their experience in navigating academic policy in the instances of filing petitions, grievances and appeals. Please contact them at caps@wusa.caMore information is available.

WUSA Student Legal Protection Program - Seeking legal counsel can be intimidating, especially if it’s your first time facing a legal issue. The legal assistance helpline provides quick access to legal advice in any area of law, including criminal. Just call 1-833-202-4571

Empower Me is a confidential mental health and wellness service that connects students with qualified counsellors 24/7. They can be reached at 1-833-628-5589.

GSA-UW supports for graduate students: 

The Graduate Student Association (GSA-UW) supports students’ academic and social experience and promotes their well-being.

Advising and Support - The GSA advises graduate students experiencing challenges and can help with navigating university policies & filing a grievance, appeal, or petition.

Mental Health covered by the Health Plan - The GSA Health Plan now has an 80 per cent coverage rate (up to $800/year) for Mental Health Practitioners. Your plan includes coverage for psychologists, registered social workers, psychotherapists, and clinical counselors.

Dental Care - The GSA Dental Plan covers 60 to 70 per cent of your dental costs and by visiting dental professionals who are members of the Studentcare Networks, you can receive an additional 20 to 30 per cent coverage.

Student Legal Protection Program - Your GSA fees give you access to unlimited legal advice, accessible via a toll-free helpline: +1-833-202-4571. This advice covers topics including housing disputes, employment disputes, and disputes with an academic institution.

The Graduate House: Open Monday to Friday 11:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. We’re open to all students, faculty, staff, and community members. The Graduate House is a community space run by the GSA-UW. Vaccination Records and Government ID continue to be required for all dine-in guests. Graduate students who paid their fees can get discounts and free coffee.

When and Where (but mostly when)

Warriors vs. Laurier Blood Donation Battle. Join our “Waterloo Warriors” team on the Blood.ca website or app. #ItsInYouToGive

Half Price Fitness Memberships and Rock Climbing Memberships. Only $25 for the remainder of the term. Purchase your membership now.

KIX 2022: Knowledge Integration eXhibition, Monday, March 14 to Friday, March 18, 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., and Saturday, March 19, 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., St. Jerome's University.

FAUW seminar, Applying for Promotion, Tuesday, March 15, 10:30 a.m.

Noon Hour Concert: Composer Ann Southam’s Solo Piano Music, Wednesday, March 16, 12:30 p.m., online premiere.

What is Canada’s water worth? Presented by Roy Brouwer. Part of the Water Institute's webinar series: The Value of Water in Canada, Wednesday, March 16, 12:00 noon.

Waterloo Speaker Series Keynote featuring Kevin Lamoureux, "Truth and Reconciliation in Canadian Higher Education," Wednesday, March 16, 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. 

NEW - Warriors Women’s Basketball OUA Playoffs vs. McMaster, Wednesday, March 16, 6:00 p.m. (Totzke Court, PAC). Purchase your tickets today.

Getting Ready to Facilitate Online Courses: TA Training – Spring 2022, March 21 to April 15 May 30 to June 24 (online certificate course). Register on GoSignMeUpPlease note the new dates.