Friday, November 25, 2022

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Waterloo will celebrate the life and career of James Downey today

Today, the University of Waterloo celebrates the life and legacy of former-president Dr. James (Jim) Downey with a special ceremony and reception. President Emeritus Downey passed away on March 23, 2022. 

The event will be hosted by former Secretary of the University Lois Claxton and will feature remarks from Vivek Goel, President and Vice-Chancellor, former Dean of the Faculty of Arts Bob Kerton, video messages from President Emeritus David Johnston and former Chair of Universities Canada Claire Morris, and members of the Downey family including daughter Sarah and granddaughter Elise. There will also be a video tribute and live music performed by University of Waterloo students.

The in-person event is also being live-streamed on the University’s YouTube channel.

Downey was born in Winterton, Newfoundland in 1939. He completed a BA, BEd and MA at Memorial University, and then a PhD in English at the University of London. Among his many accolades, Downey was a recipient of the Order of Canada and was awarded eight honorary degrees.

Downey served as president of the University of Waterloo from 1993 to 1999. It was a time of dramatic changes for the post-secondary sector made by two consecutive Ontario governments led by Premier Bob Rae and then by Premier Mike Harris. Through it all, Downey believed it was important to maintain the integrity of all parts of the University in the face of funding cuts. Downey looked back on his term not only as a period of coping with financial pressures, but one of achievement as he took pride in the accomplishments of students and employees. He believed it was significant that people thought highly and well of the University during this time. He continued to be an important influence at the University after his time as president, returning to the classroom as a professor of English and taking on several administrative roles.

During his time at Waterloo, Downey was instrumental in the evolution of the University’s world-renowned co-operative education program as the founding director of the Centre for the Advancement of Co-operative Education (WatCACE). In 202o, WatCACE would be rebranded as the Work-Learn Institute (WxL).

During his time as Waterloo’s president and vice-chancellor, Downey also served terms as chair of the Council of Ontario Universities and chair of the Association of Commonwealth Universities.

Tune in to the livestream on YouTube at 11:00 a.m.:

Ken McLaughlin, distinguished professor emeritus, historian and a friend of Downey’s, was part of the founding committee for WatCACE. In a recent interview on the Beyond the Bulletin podcast, McLaughlin told host Pamela Smyth of Downey’s approach to collegiality:

International Education Week in review

A message from Waterloo International.

As International Education Week (IEW) 2022 wraps up, we thank faculty, staff and students for hosting fun and informative events across campus celebrating international education. From photo contests to Instagram takeovers, the week has been filled with many wonderful activities for the campus community to come together and celebrate intercultural awareness, diverse perspectives, and international experiences. We also thank participants of these events for their engagement with the festivities.

Here are some highlights:

Waterloo’s commitment to celebrating diversity and culture abroad and at home is an integral part of our identity. IEW provides an opportunity for students, staff, and faculty to recognize the ongoing efforts of the University of Waterloo to connect with the world and provide advanced research for global impact towards strengthening sustainable and diverse communities.

If you are interested in hosting an event during IEW in 2023, we are happy to engage with you about future events and funding opportunities. Contact us at waterloo.international@uwaterloo.ca.

On behalf of Waterloo International, we would like to express our appreciation and thanks to our stakeholders - Waterloo colleagues and friends – for their support. Thank you all for a wonderful IEW. See you next year.

Renison's KDE Hub receives $2.3 million to support mental health promotion

This article was originally published on the Renison University College website.

The COVID-19 pandemic impacted the mental health of Canadians and amplified inequitable mental health outcomes for youth, seniors, First Nations, Métis, Inuit, and Black and racialized Canadians. The Government of Canada announced a $100 million investment in Budget 2021 to support projects that promote mental health and prevent mental illness in populations disproportionately affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Public Health Agency of Canada administers the Supporting the Mental Health of those Most Affected by COVID-19 initiative and has awarded $2.3 million to the Knowledge Development and Exchange Hub for Mental Health Promotion (KDE Hub). The KDE Hub is dedicated to optimal mental health promotion across Canada and will foster relationships among projects that are also funded through this same initiative. The KDE Hub seeks to strengthen projects by providing access to evidence and resources in the field of mental health promotion and mental illness prevention. It will support the development and sharing of new knowledge produced both across and within projects. The KDE Hub will work with over thirty projects funded through early 2024.

Initiated in 2019 by the Public Health Agency of Canada and hosted by Renison University College, at the University of Waterloo, the KDE Hub is a national entity, engaging a wide range of disciplines, sectors and experiences. The KDE Hub supports projects funded through federal mental health promotion programs and a broader community with shared interests.

"The pandemic has resulted in more people struggling with mental health challenges, but it has also made us more willing to talk about our own mental health, helping to lower the stigma associated with mental health and substance use," said the Honourable Carolyn Bennett, Minister of Mental Health and Addictions and Associate Minister of Health. "Supporting initiatives like the KDE Hub for Mental Health Promotion project, which is coordinating a community of practice among projects funded through our $100 million investment in Budget 2021, is essential. By working from the ground up to provide wrap-around services, these projects will support more people in Waterloo and across the country that have been disproportionately impacted by COVID-19."

"The KDE Hub is thrilled to be a recipient of this timely funding initiative from the Public Health Agency of Canada, and we look forward to continuing our strong and collaborative partnership," says Drs. Alice Schmidt Hanbidge and Colleen McMillan, Scientific Co-Directors of the KDE Hub. "The Hub actively contributes to this mission by bringing evidence based, culturally sensitive, equitable and innovative expertise and vision to create new knowledge products that support, from coast to coast to coast, projects addressing the multiple impacts of COVID-19."  

Seated Volleyball event will support of International Day for Persons with Disabilities

A message from Athletics and Recreation.

Thirty years ago, the United Nations proclaimed December 3 as International Day of Persons with Disabilities (IDPD) “to promote an understanding of disability issues and mobilize support for the dignity, rights and well-being of persons with disabilities.”

In support of IDPD 2022, Waterloo Athletics and Recreation is hosting a Seated Volleyball event on Friday, December 2. Seated volleyball is a form of volleyball where players remain seated on the court floor throughout the game. Staff, students, and faculty are invited to watch a seated volleyball exhibition game and try out this sport alongside Jim Rush, vice-president academic & provost and other members of the University leadership team. To register for this event, visit Seated Volleyball Registration.

If you require any accommodations to ensure your full participation in these events, please contact Donna Rheams (dmrheams@uwaterloo.ca).

Event will look at data, the fuel for AI

Waterloo.AI and Communitech are partnering to host Industry Day Fall 2022: Data - The Fuel for AI on Monday, November 28 from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. in Federation Hall and virtually via Zoom.

"Waterloo.AI and Communitech invite you to join us on November 28, 2022 for this hybrid event on campus at UW Fed Hall or connect virtually through Zoom," says a note from Waterloo.AI. "The critical importance of data and its influence on the application of AI across all organizations is the focused theme for the day. We have a series of dynamic speakers and panelists from industry and academia, including our keynote speaker Anil Arora, Chief Statistician of Stats Canada. Highlights will include data challenges and opportunities, synthetic data, and the emerging opportunity of data markets."

In-person registration will be capped at 300 attendees.

Friday's notes

"The Engineering Machine Shop would like to announce the retirement of Rick Forgett, EMS Manager, after 25 years of service," says a note from the EMS. "Congratulations Rick! All the best with your future endeavours."

The Department of Knowledge Integration will be hosting a seminar entitled “Experiential Education and Innovation for Social Impact” today featuring speaker Erin Hogan (BKI '20), Programs Manager, GreenHouse social impact incubator. Through her time in Knowledge Integration and beyond, Erin has learned that there are many ways to make a social impact. Learn about how you can leverage experiential learning and innovation education as a tool for change. Plus, engage in some hands-on learning in collaboration with the INTEG 499 students.

The event takes place at 2:30 p.m. in EV3-1408.

The Music Department's end of term concerts for ensembles continue into the weekend with two concerts.

The University Choir presents Wintertide, whichwill take place on Saturday, November 26, at 7:30 p.m., St. John the Evangelist Church. $5 students, $10 for others. Tickets are available at the door for $5 (student rate) or $10.

Directed by Liksa Jetchick, this 50-voice choir will explore themes of winter through works by G.F. Handel, Randall Stroope, Edward Elgar, Randall Thompson, and many more.

On Sunday, November 27, the Chamber Choir presents A Light of Song at 4:00 p.m. in St. John the Evangelist Church. Tickets are available at the door for $5 (student rate) or $10.

Directed by Mark Vuorinen, the Chamber Choir program explores themes of light and night in music that spans five hundred years, written by composers such as Palestrina, Josquin and Victoria of the Renaissance and Eric Whitacre, Ēriks Ešenvalds, and Sarah Quartel of our own time.