The Daily Bulletin is published by Internal and Leadership Communications, part of University Communications
Contact us at bulletin@uwaterloo.ca
Submission guidelines
Gender-based analysis webinar coming up next week
A message from the Office of the Vice-President, Research and International.
The Inclusive Research December Webinar is set for December 9. Are you planning to attend?
What is GBA+ Anyway?: An Introduction takes place on Monday, December 9 from 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Gender-Based Analysis Plus (GBA+) is an important tool for embedding equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) in every stage of research from design to sharing results and other outputs. But what is it, and how is it done?
This presentation will go over the basics of GBA+ including examples that highlight its usefulness, steps researchers can take, and questions they can ask themselves to start the GBA+ analysis of their research. Please register to receive the Zoom link to participate.
Resources
For more information or questions, please reach out to research.equity@uwaterloo.ca or Indigenous.Research@uwaterloo.ca.
Students gain more career skills training options with new WE Accelerate program streams
By Matthew King. This article originally appeared on the Centre for Work-Integrated Learning's website.
Co-operative and Experiential Education’s (CEE) created its award-winning WE Accelerate program to give first work term students more options. In 2023, more than 600 students took advantage of this innovative option.
Now, by launching two new streams in the Winter 2025 term, the program will deliver even more variety in skills development to students. The two new streams are:
- Creating accessible digital learning environments
- Data-driven solutions for global challenges
"We are committed to offering first work term students the valuable, in-demand skills they can leverage in their next work experience," says Ben McDonald, Senior Manager of WIL Programs. "Developing these new streams demonstrates that continued commitment."
According to research from Waterloo’s Work-Learn Institute, Gen Z wants their work to be meaningful. The incoming generation of workers want their work to be part of a movement that enacts change in the world for the better. Both new WEA streams help enable that dedication to meaningful change.
Emphasizing accessibility
The new WEA stream for creating accessible digital learning environments will provide students with the skills to improve and develop course components, learning assets and training materials within the Brightspace platform, which is a learning management system. AccessAbility Services is a sponsor and advocate for the new stream.
Subject matter experts from the Centre for Extended Learning (CEL), the Centre for Teaching Excellence (CTE) and Information, Systems and Technology (IST) collaborated to develop and curate the content for the skills curriculum.
"By the end of this stream, students will use new skills to create educational and training materials for different audiences," says Will Fawcett Hill, Lead, WIL Programs Manager. "They will be able to explain how diversity and inclusion are supported by the basic principles of universal design while designing with accessibility in mind."
Students in the WE Accelerate stream can work on projects with community or industry partners to create accessible training materials. They’ll have the skillset to help instructors identify opportunities for their materials to better align with Universal Design for Learning (UDL) principles and accessibility standards, like making documents accessible, captioning videos, providing accurate transcripts and revising materials to meet UDL principles.
“Given the impending changes to Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act’s (AODA) Education Standards legislation, this stream helps ensure students are technologically agile and well prepared for the changing landscape,” says McDonald.
“Whether that’s helping instructors and industry partners come into compliance with the legislation, or in educational and training materials – WE Accelerate students will be prepared.”
Data solutions striving for sustainability
The data-driven solutions for global challenges stream focuses on equipping students with high-demand skills in data collection, analytics and communication. The curriculum is comprised of content from Microsoft, eCampus Ontario and the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR). As part of the stream, students will also engage with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs).
“Students in this stream will learn how to collect, analyze and visualize data using PowerBI. The curriculum focuses on skills that align with global sustainability efforts,” says Hill. “We are exploring options with leading organizations and campus resources to create high-quality lessons, offering context and expertise in SDGs and data analytics.”
As part of the new WEA stream, students get the chance to apply their learned skills to projects. Ideally aligned to the UN SDGs, but not limited to the sustainability sector, students will utilize data analytics and visualization to help address real and meaningful problems.
WatSPEED's Tech Horizons Executive Forum wins IABC Silver Leaf Award
A message from WatSPEED.
WatSPEED, the University of Waterloo’s professional, executive, and corporate education arm, is pleased to share that the Tech Horizons Executive Forum has been recognized with a Silver Leaf Award from the International Association of Business Communicators (IABC).
This recognition, in the category of Special Events – External, celebrates the Forum’s impactful role in convening senior business leaders to explore the critical role of technology in today’s rapidly evolving business landscape.
“This award is a testament to the hard work and dedication of the entire WatSPEED team and our commitment to delivering innovative, high-impact learning experiences,” said Sanjeev Gill, associate vice-president of innovation and executive director of WatSPEED. “We are incredibly grateful to our partners, speakers, and the University of Waterloo community for your invaluable support in making this event a success and in advancing the dialogue on how technology can transform organizations.”
This year’s Tech Horizons Executive Forum took place on November 26 at CIBC Square in Toronto and was another dynamic day of insightful presentations, thought-provoking panels, interactive exhibits, and networking opportunities.
December notes falling like snowflakes, but hopefully not people
Old Man Winter was certainly punctual this season, with a snowstorm walloping parts of Ontario on the weekend. We got a piece of that action too - locally, buses servicing the Waterloo Region District School Board and the Waterloo Catholic District School Board have been cancelled, while schools remain open.
As we dig ourselves out of our driveways and watch our step on sidewalks and pathways, now seems like the perfect time for a reminder of how to avoid that scourge of workplace injury reporters everywhere, the simple slip, trip, and fall.
“Slips, trips, and falls are common workplace occurrences that can result in serious injuries and are a major hazard facing workers and employers today,” says a note from the Safety Office. “Many of these incidents are preventable. Most slips, trips, and falls occur on level surfaces and are often caused by unexpected changes in the walking surface, such as ice, snow, other liquids, debris in the walking path, or poorly maintained surfaces.”
"As temperatures drop and winter weather sets in, slips, trips, and falls become increasingly common across the University. Let’s work together to prevent injuries. Please take a few minutes to review these tips and resources."
Tips
- Plan ahead and ensure you have proper winter footwear and enough time to reach your destination safely based on the weather and surface conditions.
- Use maintained roads and pathways and if you encounter unsafe walking conditions, immediately report them to Plant Operations by calling ext. 43793 (24 hours a day).
- Use the salt or sand bins that are placed throughout campus during the winter months to improve traction on slippery areas.
- Promote awareness this month by making an effort to discuss slip, trip, and fall prevention with your colleagues!
Resources
- Watch the "Workplace Slips, Trips, and Falls" video, and refer to the CCOHS Guide on Preventing Falls from Slips and Trips for more detailed information.
- Attend in-person ladder safety training through the Safety Office to understand safe practices for working at heights.
- Keep updated with Plant Operations seasonal weather information.
- See the Slips Trips and Falls page for more information.
- Ensure the Get a Grip Don't Slip and Fall Poster is posted on your health and safety bulletin board.
The Writing and Communication Centre (WCC) reports that Dissertation Boost Camp applications are now open. "Applications for the Writing and Communication Centre’s Dissertation Boost Camp are now open, and will close on Friday, January 10, 2025," says a note from the WCC. Dissertation Boost Camp runs from February 18 to 21, 2025. You can register on Portal.
The Writing and Communication Centre (WCC) also wants to hear from graduate students about their experiences and needs and are hosting focus groups to gather feedback about three potential new program models to support graduate students in developing their communication skills throughout the entire life cycle of their graduate programs.
“We invite graduate students to participate in online focus groups to respond to and help shape these proposed new programs,” says the WCC. “Share your experience to shape future WCC support for graduate students. Register on Portal.”
The focus group will be held on Wednesday, December 4 from 1:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. Can’t join the focus group? Share your feedback by completing a survey about proposed new writing and communication support services for graduate students!