Thursday, June 20, 2024

New virtual anti-racism and anti-oppression training available

A message from the Office of Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Anti-Racism.

The Office of Equity, Diversity and Anti-racism (EDI-R) has developed an Anti-racism, Anti-oppression (ARAO) training course, a significant step in our University’s commitment to equity and diversity. Now available on the LEARN platform, this course is designed to help the University community in understanding and dismantling systemic racism and oppression across our campus.  

Developed by EDI-R, the course offers theoretical knowledge and practical insights into how historical systems of oppression continue to shape our society and the impact it has on marginalized groups. It equips course completers with the ability to recognize and challenge racism in the classroom, workplace, and personal life, fostering a more inclusive and understanding campus environment.  

The ARAO training also offers a valuable opportunity for self-reflection, as candidates will be encouraged to consider their social position and how it relates to the socially-constructed concept of race in Canada.

“As candidates engage with the material, it is expected that they will also develop a shared language and framework for discussing race and oppression,” said Dr. Anita Taylor, acting AVP EDI-R. “This common ground is essential for fostering open, honest, and productive conversations about these critical issues. This dialogue can bridge divides and build a more cohesive and supportive campus environment.” 

Aligned with Recommendation 6 of the President’s Anti-Racism Taskforce (PART) report, this five-module course underscores the university's commitment to these principles. The course is expected to take approximately 3-4 hours to complete.  

The course was piloted within the Faculty of Health, where feedback was incorporated to enhance participants' experience. 

Visit the ARAO Training website for more information and to register for the course.

Outstanding Performance Award recipients named

“I am very pleased to announce the Outstanding Performance Award recipients for 2023 and would like to take this opportunity to congratulate them for their outstanding contributions to the University of Waterloo,” writes James W.E. Rush, Vice-President, Academic and Provost.

Arts

Dillon Browne; Lynn Carty; Allison Chenier; Jordana Cox; Ana Ferrer; Katy Fulfer; Owen Gallupe; Jasmin Habib; Dorothy Hadfield; Logan MacDonald; Sorouja Moll; Adam Molnar; Aimee Morrison; David Moscovitch; Alain-Desire Nimubona; Seda Oz; Konrad Pawlak; Douglas Peers; Evan Risko; Sasan Saiy; Megan Selinger; Derek Stacey; Kanstantsin Tsedryk; Adam Vitalis; and Katherine White.

Engineering

Arash Arami; Chris Bachmann; Eline Boghaert; Wayne Chang; Cecile Devaud; Ayman El-Hag; Allyson Kayla Giannikouris; Jason Grove; Jennifer Howcroft; Na Young Kim; David Mather; John McPhee; Tizazu Mekonnen; Patrick Mitran; Andrew Morton; Anh Pham; Maya Przybylski; Lola Sheppard; Stephen Smith; Zhou Wang; and Valerie Ward.

Environment

Erin O'Connell; Katherine Perrott; and Michelle Rutty.

Health

Clark Dickerson; Robin Duncan; Leeann Ferries; John Hirdes; Elena Neiterman; and Luke Potwarka.

Mathematics

Faisal Al-Faisal; Sepehr Assadi; Christopher Batty; Raouf Boutaba; Liqun Diao; David Harmsworth; David Jao; Katherine Larson; Bin Li; Tamer Ozsu; Luke Postle; Pascal Poupart; Sander Rhebergen; Matthew Satriano; Matthias Schonlau; William Slofstra; Ian VanderBurgh; Daniel Vogel; Tony Wirjanto; Karen Yeats; and Yeying Zhu.

Science

Brett Barrett; Lisa Christian; Kristine Dalton; Steven Forsey; John-Michael Gamble; Alan Jamison; John Johnston; Subha Kalyaanamoorthy; Shamroze Khan; Brenda Lee; Liam McGuire; Josh Neufeld; Madeline Simone Rosamond; and German Sciaini.

Some background on the awards: effective May 1, 2005, in accordance with the 2003 Faculty Salary Settlement, the University of Waterloo established an Outstanding Performance Fund to reward faculty members for outstanding contribution in teaching and scholarship.

International Development students get their rings

By Rebecca Wagner.

It was an awarding of rings to mark one of life’s most significant transitions and a coming together of a small cohort of graduates for an intimate final send-off. 

For students in the International Development program (INDEV), a collaboration between United College and the Faculty of Environment, the International Development ring ceremony was an opportunity to celebrate the unique bond shared between the tight-knit graduating class. 

“It’s important that we hold the ceremony with loved ones present,” says John Abraham, academic dean of United College. “Families and friends have always been an important part of the ceremony, as they are part of the journey. Parents and supporters fly in from around the world, and we get to shake their hand and welcome them to United College. It’s pretty special.”       

The new rings, initially unveiled for the 2023 graduating class, incorporate the old and the new. They feature the new United College logo to reflect the College’s recent re-branding, and a map of the world, which carries forward design elements from the rings of previous graduating classes. The map of the world serves as a reminder to serve and act locally and globally, and to continue to have and promote a sustainable impact.  

“The ring, the endless circle around your finger, consecrates a covenant, your commitment to watch over the planet,” said Michaëlle Jean, chancellor of United College. “It symbolizes a never-ending commitment, to follow the thread, the path of serving true global development.  It is a vow to make the world a better place for all.”  

Through virtual greetings, Michaëlle Jean thanked students for focusing their studies on something truly impactful. “You have chosen to look beyond the confines of your own experience, to open your minds and hearts to wider areas of concern that encompass the world.” 

Unique to INDEV is an optional 8-month overseas placement in students’ final year of studies facilitated by the World University Service of Canada.  Two students from the graduating Class of 2024, Emily Meissner and Millie Balmer, completed their placement in Kampala, Uganda, at community-based organizations Uganda Small Scales Industries Association and the Africa Agribusiness Academy.

Whether degrees included an overseas placement, a capstone project, or a thesis, the ring ceremony was a celebration of students’ unique local and global social impact, and a recognition of personal and professional growth.   

And it was a celebration of the promise of even greater impact to come, supported by the many friends made along the way.       

Graduating students present at the ring ceremony included Cassidy Zelle, Cristina Everett, Habibah Ibrahim, Jonah Barkley, Emily Meissner, Millie Balmer, and Sergo Haille. Rings were awarded in absentia to Ryan Ertel and Sergio Wang.