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Together Ensemble Conference coming up later this month
A message from Sustainable Development Solutions Network (SDSN) Canada.
The University of Waterloo is organizing the 2024 Together|Ensemble Conference, Canada’s all-of-society conference on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The conference will be held in-person on May 28th & 29th in Waterloo with the theme of "Innovation for the SDGs" and three streams of curated content:
- AI and Emerging Technologies for Eco-Innovation;
- Future Cities; and
- Sustainable Finance.
Join us in-person and online to track progress, deepen commitments, and create new collaborations for the SDGs in Canada.
P-Card CentreSuite to Concur transition update
This message was originally sent via email by Sarah Hadley, CFO, Finance, on May 1, 2024 to Executive Council.
We are pleased to announce that as part of our work towards streamlining our procurement processes across campus and improving system user experience, we will be shifting transaction processing away from the current CentreSuite system and instead using Concur. Concur is our existing expense reimbursement system that most of campus is already familiar with. This change consolidates the number of systems for campus. Once users are migrated, Concur will be used for the coding, review, and approval of P-Card transactions.
Other benefits:
- Since Concur utilizes Single Sign On (SSO), users will no longer need a separate CentreSuite password.
- Many P-Card transactions will automatically be coded to appropriate expense accounts based on pre-programmed logic and machine learning, reducing the amount of time needed during the reconciliation process.
- Users will be able to easily upload their receipts to attach to their monthly statement, enabling better central electronic document retention in line with our current Document Retention Policies and Procedures. This also means elimination of the need for physical/digital storage of P-Card packages by the Cardholder department.
- Automated review/approval workflows
Timing and next steps
We continue to work closely with Concur on configuring the test environment and anticipate being able to migrate users into Concur in Summer of 2024. The intent is to align with a statement period end, so the cutoff between systems is seamless.
We are configuring the Concur system in a test environment. The aim is to provide a more intuitive experience with a more user-friendly look and feel than today.
During this implementation project, we are consulting with high-volume P-Card user groups to provide feedback and to seek volunteers to participate in testing once the test environment is configured.
We appreciate your support with this exciting project that contributes to streamlining the overall procurement processes on campus. We look forward to providing further updates on this project in the near future.
More information
A P-Card CentreSuite to Concur Transition website has been set up where information on the project will be posted.
May Anti-Racism Reads: Son of Elsewhere
A message from the Library and Print + Retail Solutions.
Join the Library and Print + Retail Solutions for the next Anti-Racism Reads discussion on Wednesday May 15. Ola Idris will be in conversation with the author Elamin Abdelmahmoud about his memoir, Son of Elsewhere.
“Son of Elsewhere abounds in such perceptively written, funny-slash-poignant anecdotes. . . . It’s all written in a breezy, easygoing tone, but don’t let that fool you: this is a thoughtful, often profound book.” —Toronto Star
This hybrid event will take place from 3:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. in the Quantum-Nano Centre (Room 0101) and on Teams. To register for this event, please visit the Library’s website.
Copies of Son of Elsewhere: A Memoir in Pieces are available through the Library's reserve system or for purchase at the W Store in South Campus Hall. Please note: We are working towards removing barriers to participation, providing easy access to the selected text. We have limited copies available free of cost for those who sign up for the event and indicate they'd like a copy on the registration form.
Researchers identify an economic solution to Canada's opioid crisis
This article was originally published on Waterloo News.
Nasal-administered naloxone is cost-effective and could help reduce the number of opioid-related fatalities compared to the current publicly funded intramuscular version, a new study has found.
Since 2016, Canada's opioid crisis has worsened, with over 40,000 opioid-related deaths, or about 22 deaths per day. Most of these accidental deaths (88 per cent) occur in British Columbia, Alberta and Ontario.
An effective way to help prevent opioid-related deaths is through community pharmacy-based naloxone programs. Currently, intramuscular naloxone is publicly funded across Canada, but it can be stress-inducing and difficult for bystanders to administer naloxone through a syringe. Intranasal naloxone, used as a simple nasal spray, is only publicly funded in Ontario, Quebec and the Northwest Territories.
The study by University of Waterloo researchers found a research gap in identifying the cost-effectiveness of implementing intranasal naloxone distribution across Canada through public funding. Mathematical modelling conducted by Waterloo researchers confirmed that intranasal naloxone is cost-effective when distributed to all Canadians and could help save additional lives. Based on the model, 151 deaths will be prevented per 10,000 people.
"Think of an EpiPen," said Ashley Cid, a PhD candidate in Waterloo's School of Pharmacy, which offers North America's most innovative pharmacy curriculum by integrating biomedical and pharmacy science with clinical, behavioural and social sciences that emphasizes patient-focused care.
"Similarly, naloxone is effective, safe, easy to use and is a medication meant to save someone's life regardless of whether you take opioid medication for a prescription or not. Providing publicly funded intranasal naloxone kits can effectively manage and reduce opioid-related fatalities due to increased distribution."
Cid adds that naloxone is a harm-reduction measure and does not increase the risk of opioid use. She believes policymakers should consider publicly funding intranasal naloxone across Canada and increasing distribution as it would help to mitigate the immediate public health opioid crisis and save more lives, especially in provinces like Alberta and British Columbia, where high rates of deaths are occurring.
"Providing intranasal naloxone through community pharmacies would have an immediate impact and be a great solution to increase access to publicly funded naloxone kits," Cid said. "I hope someday naloxone will be kept in first aid kits in your car, purse or home for emergencies."
The study, An economic evaluation of community pharmacy dispensed naloxone in Canada, was recently published in the Canadian Pharmacists Journal.