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Six women recognized as 2021 University of Waterloo Co-op Students of the Year
By Namish Modi.
From providing engaging social media coverage for non-profit organizations, to demonstrating initiative by developing an iOS app, to helping secure an important federal grant, Waterloo’s Co-op Students of the Year shined in 2021.
“To announce six outstanding women as our students of the year during the month when International Women’s Day falls is particularly special,” says associate provost of Co-operative and Experiential Education (CEE), Norah McRae. “In another challenging year, these bright women stood out, whether it be virtually or in-person. As a result, they will excel in the future workforce and in representing Waterloo.”
The following six women performed exceptionally on their work terms, and CEE was proud to announce them as Co-op Students of the Year during a virtual ceremony held on March 21.
- Ingrid Kaffka, Faculty of Arts;
- Sarah Odinotski, Faculty of Engineering;
- Emma Schuster, Faculty of Environment;
- Madison McBay, Faculty of Health ;
- Laura Bumbulis, Faculty of Math; and
- Camille Huo, Faculty of Science.
The ceremony also honoured Problem Lab winners:
- Paige Hall, Faculty of Health; and
- Emily lam, Faculty of Health.
“It goes without saying the quality of our co-op program is thanks to our fantastic students,” says Ross Johnston, executive director of Co-operative Education. “And the student voice is so important to us as we think about how to continue to improve our programming to provide meaningful work-integrated learning experiences that help students prepare for their future careers.”
Read the full story on Waterloo News and check out the winner citations
The countdown is on: 2022 Waterloo Staff Conference is two weeks away
A message from Organizational and Human Development (OHD).
Two days of engaging and expert-led workshop sessions, award-winning keynote speakers, opportunities to connect with colleagues from across campus – it's all happening this April 6 and 7. This is where inspired learning and talented people come together to make high-impact moments.
This year’s conference will be held virtually on MS Teams. Check out the agenda and register on Portal today.
Meet the 2022 Keynotes
After losing both legs from the pelvis down at the age of five, Spencer West tackled challenge after challenge, learning to navigate a world set against those with disabilities. His many accomplishments, including summiting Mount Kilimanjaro, and the lessons learned along the way, led him to discover the techniques business leaders, professionals, educators, and young people can use to redefine possible in their own lives and careers.
As a speaker, West infuses his talks with humour and humility, and will share his insights on how Leveraging Talent with Disabilities can have a very positive effect on our campus and colleagues as the WSC Opening Keynote speaker.
Register for his talk on Wednesday, April 6 at 10:30 a.m.
At a time where climate change has reached a threatening tumult and we are wrestling with feelings of hopelessness, asking “are we too late?” renowned atmospheric scientist, Katharine Hayhoe, brings us hope. Katharine’s research focuses on understanding what climate change means for people and the places where we live. She is the Chief Scientist for The Nature Conservancy and a Horn Distinguished Professor and Endowed Professor of Public Policy and Public Law in the Department of Political Science at Texas Tech University.
“One of the nation's most effective communicators on climate change.” (New York Times).
Katharine has been named one of TIME's 100 Most Influential People, the United Nations Champion of the Earth, and the World Evangelical Alliance’s Climate Ambassador.
Katharine’s talk on Hope and Climate Change will close this year’s WSC on Thursday, April 7, 2022 at 2:30 p.m. Register today.
Vaccine education at Pfizer
March is Pharmacy Appreciation Month. This month, in our #PAM2022 series, the School of Pharmacy is looking back on the many ways that our pharmacy community has supported Canadians through the pandemic.
There are many steps before a COVID-19 vaccine gets to your arm.
The journey may seem linear: from development to testing to manufacturing. Shipment to countries around the world and distribution to hospitals and clinics where the vaccine is administered.
But there are many smaller steps on that journey that aren’t as obvious. Steps that Gokul Raj Pullagura, vaccine educator with Pfizer, understands intimately. Gokul is a graduate of Waterloo Pharmacy’s PhD program and is also trained as a pharmacist.
“I moved from Ottawa to Vancouver to join the Vaccines Business Unit at Pfizer,” he says. “It’s my job to understand the details of the company’s products and to educate health-care providers on those products.”
As the vaccine educator for British Columbia and Alberta, he’s responsible for supporting health-care providers in the provinces with the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine.
“I’m new to the role and there’s so much to learn. My portfolio includes all of Pfizer’s vaccines,” he says. “Of course, the focus has been on the COVID-19 vaccine and how I can provide additional educational support to health-care providers who have questions about it.”
He conducts small group presentations on the COVID vaccine, working with immunizers to answer questions and collaborating with others inside the organization to ensure health-care providers on the ground have all the answers and resources they need. His team provides this support to every single site administering the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine throughout Canada.
“It’s a rewarding experience to be able to support vaccine education and contribute to combating COVID-19,” he says. “I did not expect to be in this role today, and I think that’s a good lesson for current grad students. There’s nothing you can’t do, so stay open to opportunities. Take a leap of faith when it comes your way and see where it takes you.”
Read Gokul’s full story on the School of Pharmacy website.
Using media resources to engage students and enhance course content
A message from Information Systems & Technology (IST).
As instructors prepare their courses for the upcoming spring and fall terms, Information Systems & Technology (IST) would like to remind the University’s teaching and learning community of the vast selection of media resources available to them, at no cost. Whether you’re looking to engage and connect with students, share complex ideas, or provoke discussion, IST Media Resources can help.
Enrich the learning experience
With access to more than 30,000 streaming titles and over 9,500 physical resources (Blu-Ray, DVD, VHS, 16mm) available, the University of Waterloo has one of the largest and most diverse media resource libraries in Canada.
Through subscriptions with nearly all major streaming platforms, titles are conveniently accessible through online catalogues where individuals can search for the resource they’re looking for, browse by genre or recently added, and even view a list of recommended staff picks. In 2020, IST added Kanopy to the list of available media resource platforms.
And, as we transition back to campus, IST is pleased to share that all IST Service Desks are open for in-person support, including signing out physical media resource titles from the Davis Centre Library service desk.
Accessing media resources
- Kanopy – Authenticate using Waterloo username and password
- MediaNet – No login required to search for titles
- Full list of streaming partners – Titles available on company website, some available through MediaNet
- Titles available for pick up from IST Service Desk – Davis Centre Library – Over 500 physical titles immediately available
Unable to find a title you’re looking for?
Purchase a new title through Kanopy on your own, or submit a media purchase request to gain access to titles across our other platforms.
Support for media resources
- Accessing the Kanopy streaming service
- Accessing streaming content in MediaNet
- FAQs regarding media resources and copyright
Questions about IST’s media resources service can be sent via email to media.loans@uwaterloo.ca.
Grants for open education resources available; other notes
The UW OER Fellows Grant Program has $15,000 to support Open Education Resources (OER) projects and is accepting submissions until Friday, April 1. "The OER Fellows Program is a pilot program (2022-2023) sponsored by the Library that provides grants to support the uptake of open educational resources (OER) at the University of Waterloo," says a statement from the Library. "Making learning materials freely accessible and available to the Waterloo community is part of the Library's mission."
More information is available on the OER Fellows grant guidelines page or by emailing Mike Chee, Open Education Librarian.
"The Lectures in Catholic Experience lecture scheduled for this Friday has moved to an online format only," says a note from St. Jerome's University. Religion and Nationalism Refuse to Die. So now what? will feature Professor of Religious Studies David Seljak on Friday, March 25 at 7:30 p.m. Find out more about the lecture on the St. Jerome's University website. The lecture will be broadcast on Microsoft Teams.
Another pop-up COVID vaccine clinic is being scheduled for March 31 in the lower level of the Student Life Centre and will run from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
"As part of this year’s Waterloo Staff Conference, we are hosting a UWSA Drop-in Session on Wednesday, April 6," says a note from the University of Waterloo Staff Association (UWSA). "There have been a lot of changes affecting staff this year, both good and bad. We are holding this session as an opportunity for you to say hello, find out more about the UWSA, and ask any questions about your working life at UWaterloo. Register now for the UWSA Drop-In Session to add it to your calendar, and then drop in if your time permits. Here’s what you’ll find:"
- Q&A – our team will be on hand to answer any questions you have about the work of the UWSA
- Ask an Advocate – join our staff advocate, Gail Spencer, in a one-on-one break-out room to confidentially ask any questions or book an appointment
- UWSA Membership – not sure if you’re a member? We’ll be available to check and help you sign up if you’re interested
- Prize Draw – Enter to win a $500 gift card for Apple, sponsored by Johnson Insurance. Just drop in to get your prize draw entry form. Fill it out and a winner will be chosen randomly.