Monday, October 16, 2023

Honorary doctorates and members bring inspiration to graduating students

The University of Waterloo is proud to welcome three new honorary degree recepients and four new honorary members of the University at our fall convocation ceremonies on Friday and Saturday this week. 

Honorary doctorates

Honorary doctorates are an integral part of each convocation ceremony as recipients are awarded for their substantial contributions to the Waterloo community, to their profession or to society at large.  

An honorary doctorate is one of the highest recognitions of the University and is bestowed to honour individuals whose character and extraordinary intellect, creativity and service to society set a standard of excellence that merits this honour.  

“These recipients and their achievements in their respective fields exemplify the kind of inspiration we hope to provide to our graduates and University community,” says Dr. Vivek Goel, president and vice-chancellor. “As we celebrate their exemplary service, we are also honoured to welcome them to our illustrious honorary doctorates family.”  

David Hand

Dr. David Hand is Senior Research Investigator and Emeritus Professor of Mathematics at Imperial College, London, where he formerly held the Chair in Statistics. Hand is a Fellow of the British Academy, an Honorary Fellow of the Institute of Actuaries, and in 2013 was made an Officer of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (OBE) for his services to research and innovation. He has authored and co-authored more than 300 scientific papers and 31 books, and his research has garnered him numerous other awards including a Research Merit Award from the British Royal Society. 

Alison  Phipps

Dr. Alison  Phipps  (OBE)  is professor of Languages and Intercultural Studies at the University of Glasgow and UNESCO Chair in Refugee Integration through Languages and the Arts. Author of eight books and over 60 articles, her research and teaching focus on refugee studies, social justice, and intercultural education. She is an active supporter of refugee rights, having served on the board of Right to Remain and co-founder of the Glasgow Refugee, Asylum and Migration Network. Phipps is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts, the Academy of Social Sciences, and a recipient of the Royal Philosophical Society’s Minerva Medal. 

Weiya Xu

Dr. Weiya Xu is the former vice-president at Hohai University and is a highly acclaimed researcher in engineering rock mechanics. Through fundamental, theoretical, computational and experimental research, Xu developed an innovative and realistic system of theory and associated methods and made several seminal contributions to theory and practice. His pioneering contributions include the study of coupled thermal, hydraulic, mechanical and chemical processes. As a senior leader at Hohai University, Xu has worked collegially with colleagues, government and funding agencies to enhance the international standing of Hohai as one of the world’s leading research-intensive universities, especially in the water science, civil and environmental engineering fields. 

Honorary Members of the University

The Honorary Member of the University designation recognizes employees for outstanding service to the University as a whole. It is the highest honour a staff member can attain at the University of Waterloo. For faculty members, it recognizes distinctive administrative or other service to the University (as distinguished from Distinguished Professor Emeritus, which recognizes academic excellence).

Scott Davis

Scott Davis has had an outstanding career, spanning over 35 years within Co-operative Education. His work as a program coordinator supported thousands of students in their learning, and as faculty relations manager he collaborated with Associate Deans on program reviews, new program development, and problem-solving student cases. Outside of the University, he served on the board of Experiential & Work Learning Ontario (EWO) as Chair, was active with Co-operative Education and Work Integrated Learning Canada (CEWIL CANADA), was chair of the Accreditation Council, and participated in a quality improvement think tank for the Co-operative Education and Internship Association (CEIA). His unfailing commitment to the core elements of co-operative education contributed significantly to the high-quality co-op program Waterloo is known for today.

Karen Trevors

Karen Trevors is a UWaterloo alumna, having received her MSc degree in Biology in 1981. She was hired as an Instructor in the department of Biology in 1985 and became Executive Officer in the Faculty of Science in 2000, a role she remained in until her retirement in 2023. As Executive Officer she supported four different Deans and helped guide administrative activities for the Faculty of Science and its four departments and two professional schools in the faculty. A strong administrator, strategic thinker and a phenomenal collaborator, Karen served on numerous Faculty and University-wide committees over her career. Her 37 years of dedication and service has been both distinctive and distinguished, leaving many lasting impacts on the Faculty of Science and the broader University Community.

William Chesney

William “Bill” Chesney retired as an Associate Professor in the Department of Communication Arts after 27 years at the University of Waterloo. Professor Chesney is a well-accomplished researcher who made immense contributions through his teaching. He also made important service contributions as Department Chair and Associate Dean, Undergraduate Students in the Faculty of Arts. As a set and costume designer and scenic artist, Professor Chesney has been involved in over 80 set and costume designs for performances at the University of Waterloo and professional theatre across Southern Ontario. He was also chair of the Region of Waterloo Arts Fund and was involved in establishing co-op opportunities in the not-for-profit sector. His unmatched commitment to students, administrative contributions, and longstanding commitments to the wider arts community has brought significant credit to the University of Waterloo.

Dennis Huber

Dennis Huber served for more than two decades as Vice-President, Administration and Finance, making him the University of Waterloo’s longest-serving senior administrator. Under his watch, the Waterloo’s annual financial activity and its pension plan assets increased more than four-fold, and the University eliminated all externally financed debt, more than doubled the size of its facilities, and opened four satellite campuses. He also championed two campus master planning exercises that led to the interconnection of most buildings within the Ring Road, as well as successive improvements to outdoor spaces and the development of the David Johnston Research + Technology Park. As co-chair of the President's Advisory Committee on Environmental Sustainability (PACES), he helped accelerate the University's commitments to environmentally sustainable campus operations. Throughout his 36-year career, Huber’s commitment to taking extra responsibilities, dedication to the University, and his incredible contributions have set the stage for lasting impacts on the institution.

Centre for Bioengineering and Biotechnology plants its seventh seed fund

A message from the Centre for Bioengineering and Biotechnology (CBB).

The Centre for Bioengineering and Biotechnology (CBB) is excited to announce the launch of its seventh annual Seed Fund. The CBB Seed Fund is designed to empower and advance CBB's vision and mission, encourage multi-disciplinary research initiatives across UWaterloo faculties, and facilitate new interdisciplinary collaborations that involve partners from diverse institutions, sectors, and jurisdictions. Successful applicants can receive up to $10,000 for projects in the core stream. Additionally, recipients can be awarded up to $15,000 for projects in one of CBB's three priority funding pools: Health and Medical Professional Development priority funding pool, Access to Data priority funding  pool, and Equitable Access to Healthcare priority funding pool.

Visit our webpage to learn more and apply today: CBB Seed funding | Centre for Bioengineering and Biotechnology | University of Waterloo (uwaterloo.ca)

Accessing national health statistics to improve health outcomes with Dr. Jeff Latimer

A message from the Office of Research and the Department of Statistics and Actuarial Science.

How do we bridge machine learning with clinical decision making for better patient outcomes?

University of Waterloo faculty members, staff and students are invited to the health data seminar on Thursday, October 26, from 11:00 a.m. to 12 noon in DC 1302, to learn about opportunities to improve access to health data.

Dr. Jeff Latimer, director general of the Health Statistics Branch at Statistics Canada (StatCan), will break down how to engage and collaborate with StatCan to get access to their timely and relevant data on the health of Canadians.

For more information and to register.

September Senate meeting roundup

A message from the Secretariat.

The University of Waterloo Senate is comprised of faculty, undergraduate and graduate students, alumni, governors, and administrative staff who are both elected and ex-officio members. This governing body of the institution is the highest authority on academic matters and meets regularly to discuss topics such as academic programs, educational policies, appointments, and other academic priorities.

At the September 18, 2023 meeting, the following items were approved:

• New academic plans
  • Doctoral and master’s plans in Electrical and Computer Engineering – Aeronautics;
  • Minor in Social Innovation and Impact;
  • Diploma in Restorative Justice;
  • Specialization in Restorative Justice.
• Amendments to academic plans
  • Diploma in Studies in Islamic and Arab Cultures;
  • MA in Psychology.
• Definitions for in-person, blended, and online classes
• Amendment to the faculty constitution for the Faculty of Engineering

Additionally, Senate received updates for information:

• Actions taken in response to the attack in Hagey Hall in June 2023, and further actions/initiatives planned;
• Faculty Update – Engineering;
• Student housing availability and affordability, including the University’s commitments and plans;
• Update on international student enrollments;
• Recently announced compensation adjustments for University staff, following Bill 124 being declared “void and of no effect”;
• List of honorands for Fall 2023 convocation;
• Annual report on tenure and promotion of faculty members.

Please refer to the Senate meeting minutes for a complete update. 

For more information

The agenda and meeting materials for all recent Senate meetings, as well as dates for upcoming meetings, can be found online. The Secretariat will make Zoom links available to those wishing to attend meetings virtually.

If you have any questions, please contact the Secretariat at senate@uwaterloo.ca.

Instructional Innovations Week, burst your bubble for a good cause, and other notes

From October 16 to 19, the Centre for Teaching Excellence will be hosting Instructional Innovations Week, a series of sessions devoted to the core themes of Scholarship of Teaching & Learning; EdTech and Generative Artificial Intelligence; Student Engagement and Wellness; and Sustainability. There are 13 of sessions scheduled from Monday, October 16 to Thursday, October 19. Check them out! Registration is free and all are welcome to attend.

The Faculty of Arts is popping off this week as part of the University's United Way Workplace Campaign. An intrepid volunteer criss-crossed Waterloo Region to encourage local restaurants and specialty shops to donate gift cards for the United Way fundraising initiative, collecting more than 300 gift cards from over 50 different establishments willing to contribute to the cause.

Beginning Tuesday, October 17, the Burst A Balloon event will take place in the Arts Undergraduate Office in PAS 2439 from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. daily until all the balloons are popped. "Staff, faculty and students can come buy a balloon to pop and get a gift card in return," writes Academic Advisor Kristen Deckert. "White balloons will cost $5 and you are guaranteed a $10-$15 gift card. Red balloons will cost $10 and you could win a $20, $25, $30, or $50 gift card depending on which balloon you pick to pop. Participants can pay to pop as many balloons as they want, with all proceeds going to the United Way. 

The Office of Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Anti-Racism (EDI-R) and the Sexual Violence Prevention & Response Office (SVPRO) are collaborating to bring Active Bystander Intervention Training to staff and faculty. Participants will be provided with the skills and resources to intervene when they see harmful, or potentially harmful, behaviour which includes racism, sexual violence, and other forms of harm. "Bystander Intervention has the potential to foster a culture of consent, care, belonging and respect on our campus, encouraging community care," says a note from training session organizers.

An in-person training session will be held on Tuesday, October 17 from noon to 1:30 p.m. in Room 0050 of the Science Teaching Complex. A virtual training session will be held on Wednesday, October 18 from 10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.