Thursday, July 7, 2022


University of Waterloo Commercialization Framework launches

A message from the Office of Research.

A new agency created by the Government of Ontario, Intellectual Property Ontario (IPON), will provide Intellectual Property (IP) knowledge, advice, and services to support innovators, researchers, businesses, and entrepreneurs in Ontario. The agency was created under the recommendation of the province’s IP Action Plan.

The government has also introduced its Commercialization Mandate Agreement (CMA) framework, which applies to all publicly assisted colleges and universities, including the University of Waterloo. Under the CMA framework, affected institutions are expected to establish practices that support the proactive management and commercialization of IP for the socio-economic benefit of Ontario.

Read about the University of Waterloo’s Commercialization Framework for information about engaging in IP and commercialization activities.

Voting opens for GreenHouse People's Choice Awards

banner image that says vote for the people's choice award

A message from GreenHouse.

Each term, the GreenHouse social impact incubator at  St. Paul’s University College hosts its Social Impact Showcase. It celebrates the amazing work GreenHouse students accomplish through their journeys of social innovation and entrepreneurship, while also providing an opportunity for students to acquire seed funding for their ideas.

While the initial adjudication decisions have already been made, there is still time to vote for your favourite social venture in the People’s Choice Awards.

The People’s Choice Award will be given to the social venture with the most online votes, alongside an additional $1,000 in funding. Some of the problems the 6 ventures pitching this term aim to address include: the 3D printing waste problem, medical miscommunications, and climate-related emergency readiness.

Voting opens today, July 7 and closes Sunday, July 10 at 11:59 p.m. The winners of the People’s Choice Awards will be announced on Thursday, July 14 at 5:00 p.m. via the  GreenHouse Instagram account and in person at the Social Impact Showcase.

Learn more about the 6 ventures and vote for GreenHouse’s People’s Choice Awards today.

For the first time in over 2 years, the Social Impact Showcase is now widely open to the public. Please register if you are interested in attending and share this event with others.

Celebrating one year of WatSPEED

A banner marking one year of WatSPEED

A message from WatSpeed.

Over the past year, the WatSPEED team has been working to build a solid foundation to support the University of Waterloo’s strategic goal to develop a unique approach to support learning at various stages of individuals’ professional lives. With nine certificate programs, including new courses launching this fall, WatSPEED offers upskilling and reskilling opportunities to help professionals keep pace with the evolving world of work.

To mark this one-year anniversary, we’re celebrating the new and enhanced partnerships we’ve made across campus, the connections we’ve strengthened with industry, and the growth of our team.

For more information, contact watspeed@uwaterloo.ca for details.

Shad kicks off this week

A jumble of screws, bolts, pencil crayons and a University of Waterloo pin.

A message from the Department of Knowledge Integration.

Shad Waterloo will be running from July 3 to July 29 for 48 grade 10/11 students this year. 

We have been proudly hosting the Shad program on Waterloo’s campus since 1983. This pivotal experience has a profound impact on these bright and curious students. Many students love the Shad Waterloo program so much, they decide that Waterloo is where they would like to pursue their undergrad studies. 

At Shad students participate in hands-on learning, collaborate in design groups, explore post-secondary institutions, engage with academic and entrepreneurial mentors, experience vulnerability training, and meet some of the most passionate peers in the country. There are close to 20,000 alumni from this competitive-application program. 

We will be delivering the 2022 program with workshops, lectures, and mentoring from Waterloo faculty across the campus that focus on STEAM-learning, design thinking, entrepreneurship, all while building some exceptional community. 

The Department of Knowledge Integration (KI) is the home to Shad Waterloo. Rob Gorbet, Associate Professor and Chair of KI, has been involved with Shad since 2008 and believes “it is amazing that Shad gets more female applicants than male applicants given that it is a mostly STEM-focused program.” Every year, for the past 40 years Shad has consistently been majority female.

This summer Shad will be hosted at 18 campuses across Canada including Laurier, McGill, McMaster and UBC. 

Each year Shads take on a group design challenge to solve a social and economic issue with a STEAM lens. Each campus tackles the same real-world problem in designated design groups, with assigned mentors, and they develop STEAM-based solutions. This is an entrepreneurial experience with a social impact twist. And one of the most loved aspects of Shad’s program.

This year the design project theme is “How might we improve the well-being of Canadians?”

Shads will hold a public open house to show off their achievements, including creative ideas they have come up with to tackle this year’s design project theme, on the afternoon of Thursday July 28, in the Great Hall at Conrad Grebel University College.

Concept 5K finals set for July 14

Concept $5K finals banner showing a student pitching on stage.

20 hopeful student teams pitched during two nights of competition at Velocity’s Concept $5K Semi-Finals and nine have advanced to the finals on July 14.

The pitch competition offers the opportunity for University of Waterloo student-led teams with innovative solutions and high potential business ideas to showcase their hard work and compete for grant funding. In past $5K events only eight teams have moved on to compete in the finals. This term, after lengthy deliberation by Concept's panel of judges, it was found to be impossible to make the cut to eight, forcing a nine-team final. 

"We are thrilled to present to you the teams that will take to the stage in two short weeks’ time," says a note from Concept.

New to Velocity on campus and first time pitching at the Concept $5K semi-finals was Faculty of Engineering student Adanna Amechi, founder of The President Braids. The President Braids is a project aimed to provide quality, reliable and accessible day long customized hair care services to people of colour across Ontario.

Amechi proudly shared her thoughts with us following the semi-finals. “Concept was an amazing experience and one that’ll be embedded in me forever. Whether or not we advance, it’s a milestone for our brand as we were able to share such a delicate problem with people and have them relate to us. I wouldn’t have done anything differently and will continue to speak on this issue until inclusivity in this industry becomes a norm. Everyone deserves to feel and look their absolute best.”

Adanna Amechi at the $5K Semi-Finals.

Adanna Amechi at the $5K semi-finals.

Her focus on Chemical Engineering will be placed on hold as she preps for the $5K finals and what will be her second stage appearance with Velocity.

Read the full story on Concept's blog. 

Thursday's notes

IBPOC workshop banner"Join us on July 7 from 5:30 to 6:30 pm for the next IBPOC WCC workshop, Revision Basics," says a note from the Writing and Communication Centre (WCC). "The IBPOC Writing and Communication Workshops are spaces where graduate students identifying as Indigenous, Black, and people of color can come together to form a supportive community of writers. This is an intentional IBPOC-only virtual space. You can join the IBPOC writing groups channel through WCC’s Teams."

Link of the day

World Chocolate Day

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 in-person and virtual services to support grad and undergrad students, postdocs and faculty with any writing or communication project. Services include one-to-one appointmentsdrop-ins at Dana Porter Libraryonline workshopswriting groupsEnglish conversation practice, and custom in-class workshops.  

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 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 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., 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/services/wusa-peer-support 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 Tuesday 11:30 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. and Wednesday to Friday 11:30 a.m. to 9:00 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. We’re adding new items to the menu. 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

Warriors Custom Apparel Program, June 22 – July 13. Purchase customized team specific gear to get ready for the 2022-2023 season. Hoodies, Hats, Jerseys, T-shirts and more. Buy now.

Warriors Youth Summer Day Camps, July 4 to September 2. Open to boys and girls age 5-18. Baseball, Basketball, Football, Hockey, Multi-Sport and Games & Volleyball. Register today.

WaterTalk - Nature Water: A journal for all water-related research, presented by Fabio Pulizzi. Thursday, July 7, 10:00 a.m.

WISE Workshop,Introduction to Feedback-Based Optimization and Applications to Energy Systems” by Daniel Eduardo Olivares Quero, Monday, July 11, 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., In-person at Evolv1 Classroom.

Visiting Professor Catherine Le Visage presents “Forgoing animal experiments: a case study in intervertebral disc regenerative medicine”, Thursday July 14, 3:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m., E6-2024. Light refreshments provided. Please register here.

NEW - Concept $5K Finals, Thursday, July 14.

PhD oral defences

A selection of recent and upcoming thesis defences, including:

Psychology. Sarah Basco, "The Role of Executive Functions and Emotion Knowledge in Children’s Communication." Supervisor, Elizabeth Nilsen. Oral defence Tuesday, July 5, 9:00 a.m.

Psychology. Taylor Hudd, "Social Anxiety and the Nature and Function of Social Pain." Supervisor, David Moscovitch. Available upon request from the Faculty of Arts, Graduate Studies and Research Officer. Oral defence Thursday, July 7, 12:00 noon.