Thursday, March 27, 2025

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• Get a Jumpstart on Research Data Management
• Introducing CEE What’s New: stay connected with Co-operative and Experiential Education
• Simplifying the Distinguished Teacher Award nomination process for students
• Driving Indigenous entrepreneurship with a $50,000 donation from Scotiabank
• Back pain workshop and other notes

Get a Jumpstart on Research Data Management

A message from the Research Data Management working group.

Research Data Management (RDM) is an increasing part of the Canadian research landscape, from funder and journal requirements to open science initiatives. With the on-going implementation of the University of Waterloo’s new RDM strategy, the Library and the Office of Research, along with significant cross-campus contributions, continues to develop and support RDM across campus. Through the development of self-serve resources and training materials, campus RDM initiatives continue to support students and faculty in developing and expanding foundational RDM knowledge.

In addition to internal University of Waterloo learning opportunities, external organizations across Canada support the development of essential RDM skills. As part of a national effort to increase RDM skills among Canadian researchers, the Digital Research Alliance of Canada has launched a pilot RDM training program, RDM Jumpstart, for graduate students and early career researchers. This free week-long workshop (May 12 to 16) will introduce attendees to best practices in RDM using common tools to support research transparency and reproducibility. Participants will explore key principles of RDM, licensing, file organization, and preparing data for deposit, ensuring compliance with funder and publisher requirements. The workshop targets graduate and early career researchers, helping them build foundational skills.

RDM Jumpstart will include five half-day sessions and will include a range of topics including RDM-related requirements, data deposit tools like Borealis, and the FAIR (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, Reusable) principles. Interested students and researchers are encouraged to register. Registration closes on April 9 and is limited. Graduate students will require a supervisor’s endorsement.

Introducing CEE What’s New: stay connected with Co-operative and Experiential Education

A message from Co-operative and Experiential Education (CEE).

We’re excited to launch CEE What’s New, a termly newsletter designed to keep faculty and staff informed, inspired and connected with the latest developments in Co-operative and Experiential Education (CEE).

Each issue will highlight key projects, collaborations and initiatives that help us advance our shared mission of developing talent for a complex future. As we navigate an evolving labour market and global challenges, our collective efforts continue to position Waterloo as a leader in co-op, work-integrated learning (WIL) and career development.

Don’t miss out! Read the first edition and subscribe today to stay up to date on how CEE is shaping the future of experiential education.

Simplifying the Distinguished Teacher Award nomination process for students

A screenshot of the prompt students will see in the Student Course Perception Survey interface.

A message from the Office of the Associate Vice-President, Academic.

As of March 2025, the Student Course Perceptions Survey (SCP) survey interface now features an embedded link encouraging students to nominate exceptional instructors for a Distinguished Teacher Award (DTA). Following the link takes students to a separate site that explains the DTA process – including a link to complete the DTA nomination form. More than 40 students have already completed the DTA Nomination Form since this process was implemented last week.

The Distinguished Teacher Award is given out annually to a maximum of four instructors who demonstrate a record of excellent teaching at the University of Waterloo. Students, faculty, and staff are all eligible to nominate a Waterloo instructor for a Distinguished Teacher Award.

Nominate your instructors today for the 2025/2026 nomination round!

Driving Indigenous entrepreneurship with a $50,000 donation from Scotiabank

This article was originally published on the United College website.

The early-stage ventures of Indigenous entrepreneurs are set to receive a boost through a $50,000 donation from Scotiabank to United College at the University of Waterloo. This contribution will help Indigenous entrepreneurs transform their ideas into sustainable realities.

This donation will directly support FlintHub, United College’s recently launched Indigenous entrepreneurship incubator. FlintHub, which launched in 2023, provides essential infrastructure and a thriving community rooted in Indigenous knowledge, values of kinship, abundance, and reciprocity. This support is crucial for Indigenous entrepreneurs as they pursue their aspirations.

The funding provided by Scotiabank will be awarded directly to FlintHub participants at pitch competitions. The final pitch will be in April 2025 and will bring together aspiring entrepreneurs to showcase their ideas and impact. Securing funding through pitch competitions is critical for scaling ideas, building lasting networks and relationships, conducting market research, and building momentum for the next stage of growth and expansion.

FlintHub has already awarded approximately $20,000 in funding to support three ventures prior to this donation. FlintHub participants will also benefit from access to networks and mentorship opportunities through Scotiabank, including a visit to their office in Toronto, leading up to the pitch competition. This collaboration was designed by Scotiabank and FlintHub based on the needs of FlintHub and the entrepreneurs.

Ashley Richard, Director of Indigenous Entrepreneurship at United College said "as FlintHub expands its programming across Canada, continued involvement and contributions would play a pivotal role in scaling up ideas, ventures, and impact." She said the goal was to become the number one incubator for Indigenous entrepreneurship in Canada.

“Empowering Indigenous entrepreneurs by surrounding them with community, culture, and ceremony is at the heart of our program’s framework," Richard said. "This relationship with Scotiabank allows us to expand the amount of funding we are able to award our entrepreneurs. Scotiabank is also offering 1-1 mentorship to the cohort, so their commitment to our program is extremely meaningful.”

Collaborating with a diverse range of established organizations and leaders will help participants tackle real-world problems more effectively, creating life-long connections that will support Indigenous entrepreneurs in growing their impact for years to come. In 2023, United College also launched a Diploma in Indigenous Entrepreneurship, a 6-course programme offered through the University of Waterloo in partnership with post-secondary institutions across Canada in communities with traditionally high Indigenous populations.

“We are thrilled to support Indigenous entrepreneurs through FlintHub. At Scotiabank, we believe in the power of community and the importance of nurturing innovative ideas that can drive meaningful change. Our commitment to this program reflects our dedication to fostering diversity and inclusion within the entrepreneurial ecosystem, and to creating trusted relationships with Indigenous communities,” said Pamela Hilborn, Senior Vice President, Head of Design & Digital Product, Scotiabank.

United College Principal Rick Myers thanked Scotiabank for their generous donation and said it would help to strengthen the college’s commitment to empowering Indigenous entrepreneurs through FlintHub.

“By providing critical funding, mentorship, and opportunities to showcase their ideas, we are helping to foster sustainable, community-driven businesses," said Principal Myers. "This collaboration is a testament to the power of partnership in creating lasting impact and advancing Indigenous innovation.”

For more information, contact Ashley Richard.

Back pain workshop and other notes

"Do you or a loved one struggle with back pain or sciatica?" asks the University of Waterloo Retirees Association (UWRA). "Find relief at a free back pain and sciatica workshop! Join Ryan Wark, Registered Physiotherapist and Clinical Director of SOS Physiotherapy for a free, interactive 60-minute workshop designed to help you understand and manage low-back pain effectively." 

Attendees will learn the top 3 causes of low-back pain and sciatic nerve entrapment, the biggest mistake people make when dealing with back pain, what effective treatment looks like, and 3 or 4 simple exercises to relieve tightness and discomfort. There will also be plenty of time for your questions. 

Hosted by the University of Waterloo Retirees Association, this back pain and sciatica workshop takes place Saturday, April 12 from 10:00 a.m. to 12 noon at SOS Physiotherapy located at 595 Parkside Drive, Unit 5B in Waterloo. "Space is limited so register soon!" says the UWRA. "Family and friends are welcome."

The next Science in the City event series takes place tonight. "The 2025 International Year of Quantum recognizes 100 years since the development of quantum mechanics," says a note from the Faculty of Science. "Researchers at the University of Waterloo are at the forefront of quantum innovation, pushing the boundaries of discovery and positioning Waterloo as a global leader in quantum research. Join us to celebrate the Year of Quantum by engaging with leading experts who share what’s next in quantum science!"

Speakers include Jonathan Baugh (Chemistry), Kazi Rajibul Islam (Physics & Astronomy), and Adam Wei Tsen (Chemistry). 

The event takes place from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the Schooner Street Brewery in Waterloo.

The Balinese Percussion Ensemble will have its end-of-term concert on Saturday, March 29 at 7:30 p.m. in the Humanities Theatre.

"Gamelan ensembles are primarily percussive instruments made of bronze and bamboo but may include drums, bells, flutes, strings, and voice," says a note from the Music department. "An oral tradition taught and learned collectively; repertoire is transmitted in a group setting without the use of sheet music." 

Directed by Balinese artist I Dewa Made Suparta, this concert will feature both the UWaterloo student Gamelan and the Grebel Community Gamelan Warga Santi.  

Admission to the concert is free.