Friday, April 12, 2024

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• Organizational changes to facilitate better coordination of integrated planning and budgeting
• Making waves in cybersecurity and privacy through interdisciplinary research
• Celebrating World Quantum Day on Sunday
• Friday's notes

Organizational changes to facilitate better coordination of integrated planning and budgeting

In a memo to the University community, Vice-President, Academic and Provost James Rush announced organizational changes to facilitate integrated planning and budgeting within the portfolio of Dr. Paul Fieguth, Associate Vice-President, Academic Operations (AVP-A). The Provost explained that “the budgetary pressures and other challenges we are currently facing make it all the more clear that the development of an integrated planning approach is fundamental to improving the resiliency of the University,” as expressed in his response to the report of the Provost’s Advisory Committee on Building a Resilient University of Waterloo. Thus, the Provost has delegated direct oversight of Institutional Data, Analysis and Planning, and of the current Integrated Planning and Budgeting Office to the AVP-AO. 

Allan Starr, Associate Provost, Institutional Data, Analysis and Planning is now reporting to Dr. Fieguth. Allan’s team is responsible for gathering, maintaining, and analyzing core data and information to support decision-making in the areas of priority setting, long-range planning, and policy development for the University. They will continue to provide the data and insights the University relies on when making strategic decisions regarding institutional priorities and will remain a resource for Faculties and Academic Support Units (ASUs), ensuring the community has the most accurate information available to support our work. 

“In addition, I am pleased to announce that Jennifer Kieffer, who had been serving as Interim Associate Provost, Integrated Planning and Budgeting, has recently been appointed to a permanent position in this role and is also reporting to Dr. Fieguth,” the memo continues.  

Jennifer’s team is responsible for ensuring that a multi-year planning and budgeting model is developed and enabled to support Faculties and ASUs, and that other important functions in space planning and institutional coordination are operationalized. 

Jennifer’s and Allan’s teams will work closely together in a consolidated structure to leverage synergies within the portfolio of the AVP-AO, as well as facilitate coordination of this new portfolio with Finance, the Faculties, and ASUs in support of their planning and budgeting work. 

"Please join me in congratulating Jennifer on her appointment to Associate Provost, Integrated Planning and Budgeting," Provost Rush writes.

Making waves in cybersecurity and privacy through interdisciplinary research

By Regina Ashna Singh. This is an excerpt of an article originally published on the Cybersecurity and Privacy Institute's website.

When Leah told her Chinese-immigrant parents she wanted to pursue a career in graphic design, they were all for it; a reaction that is perhaps contrary to pervasive stereotypes associated with Asian parental units which currently exist in Canada.

“Growing up, I feel like I had a good childhood in that my parents weren't too demanding. When I told them I wanted to pursue something in the arts, they were very supportive,” said Leah. Smiling from ear to ear, she reflected that her mother and father did not steer her away from her aspirations and were completely understanding. Unbeknownst to them, Leah would go on to make her own mark in the globally impactful field of cybersecurity and privacy as Dr. Leah Zhang-Kennedy - Assistant Professor in interaction design and user experience research, and director of the Safe Interactions Lab at the University of Waterloo’s Stratford School of Interaction Design and Business. Trusting her instincts and being open to new avenues would lead the professor down a windy path to success, something her family could not have predicted.

How it started…

From the printing press to post grad

Over the past six years as a member of the Cybersecurity and Privacy Institute (CPI), Leah has been at the forefront of research in privacy conscious design and improving cybersecurity practices. From teaching students to creating apps to leading events, Leah takes full advantage of opportunities that cross her path in order to create maximum impact. However, her career trajectory was not always so crystal clear.

At 11 years old, Leah, along with her mom, came to Canada and reunited with her dad after living apart from him for about half a decade. Her father practiced anesthesiology and later dentistry in Canada while her mother was a nurse; both are currently retired from the medical-related fields. However, Leah always had different interests and found herself drawn to fine arts and other types of problem solving. She recalled her first job was at a printing company where she was fascinated by typography and learning how machines like the printing press work. Understanding CMYK offset printing was only the beginning of Leah’s journey in graphic design.

Read the rest of the article on the Cybersecurity and Privacy Institute's website.

Celebrating World Quantum Day on Sunday

A message from the Institute for Quantum Computing.

Happy World Quantum Day from the Institute for Quantum Computing!

World Quantum Day is celebrated on April 14 each year, with the goal of celebrating the field’s successes and inspiring future possibilities. This date was chosen to recognize Plank’s constant, 4.14 x 10^-15 eV s, which defines the quantum nature of energy and led to the development of quantum mechanics.

Advances in quantum information are already impacting everyday life, from lasers and GPS devices to hospital MRI machines. As quantum information science and technology continues to move from the lab and into the wider audience, it will shape and impact future advances and commercial successes. Don’t miss your chance to learn more about the impacts quantum is having on different industries, from business and law to research security at IQC’s second annual conference, Quantum Connections, May 1 and 2. Space is limited, be sure to register today.

Friday's notes

The Vision Science Graduate Research Conference 2024 is set to take place on April 22 and 23 at the School of Optometry & Vision Science. Event registration is free, but required to attend. To register please visit the Vision Science Graduate Research Conference 2024 Registration Page.

Information Systems & Technology (IST) has published the latest blog post in the Atlassian blog series today. The latest article is entitled Bring all your work into Confluence.