Editor:
Brandon Sweet
University Communications
bulletin@uwaterloo.ca
Thank you for supporting new students
A message from the Student Success Office.
From late August to early September, more than 4,600 new Warriors settled into Campus Housing, while thousands of students – including over 6,000 undergraduates and more than 700 graduate students – took part in Orientation activities.
2025 offered over 170 activities and events for students to choose from, including the annual International Welcome Reception, multiple runs of the award-winning production "To Be Honest: The Musical", a Glow Party and an evening social for new graduate students.
The impact of new student transition extends beyond Orientation week. With the support of over 1,000 dedicated upper-year students and staff, these programs foster leadership, collaboration and meaningful connections, enriching the experience for both new students and the broader campus community.
On behalf of Campus Housing, Student Success Office, International Experience Centre, the Waterloo Undergraduate Student Association, the Graduate Student Association and all six faculties – thank you. From leading workshops to supporting logistics, helping with move-in, or assisting families on campus, your efforts illustrate the collaborative and inclusive culture that makes Waterloo exceptional.
RoboHub partners with CENGN, Rogers Communications to create living lab
Participating in the announcement were (left to right) Tom Astle, Past CENGN Chair, Corporate Director & Partner, Longevity Funds; William Malek RoboHub Director; The Honourable Bardish Chagger, MP for Waterloo; Chris Joyce, CENGN VP, Business Development & Marketing; Neel Dayal, Sr Director of Partnerships & Innovation, Rogers Communications; Pam Laycock CENGN Vice Chair, Experienced Board Director and Transformational Leader.
The Centre of Excellence in Next Generation Networks (CENGN) announced a new partnership with the University of Waterloo and Rogers Communications to advance Canadian innovation through its Living Lab Initiative.
The partnership between CENGN, Waterloo and Rogers will provide a home for Canadian startups and scaleups to test and validate their cutting-edge products and services in critical sectors like defence, robotics and applied artificial intelligence, accelerating their path to market readiness.
Submit your Teaching Innovation Incubator Project proposal
A message from the Teaching Innovation Incubator.
The Teaching Innovation Incubator is excited to announce its second annual open call for 2026 Teaching Innovation Incubator project submissions. With six beta projects now getting ready to graduate the Incubator and the inaugurally accepted project teams deep in incubation of their projects, we are pleased to invite project proposals to join the Incubator starting Winter 2026.
We are seeking diverse project teams with teaching and learning ideas that are complex, collaborative, interdisciplinary, and have transformative potential to reimagine the future of teaching and learning at the University of Waterloo.
Project focus for 2026
While all high-impact teaching and learning proposals are welcome, particular attention will be given to projects that explore:
- Efficient and effective strategies for innovative teaching and learning
- Technologies or innovations that exist within the EdTech Sandbox
Projects may take the form of
- New academic programs
- New approaches to teaching
- Innovative assessment practices
- Creative uses of educational technologies
- Societal innovations to enhance our learning environment
What selected projects receive
- Up to $20,000 in funding for project expenses
- Dedicated project coordination and research support and tailored resources
- Access to the EdTech Sandbox (operational January 2025)
- Opportunities to shape the future of education at Waterloo
TII Info Session: Learn about the Incubator
Curious about submitting a project to the Teaching Innovation Incubator’s 2026 Open Call? Join us on October 7, from 1:00 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. (MS Teams) for a short info session. You’ll learn about funding and support available, eligibility requirements, project themes, and tips for preparing a strong proposal. The session will also include time for Q&A with the Incubator team. Please note that the session will be recorded and posted to the Incubator website for those unable to attend.
Important dates
- Info Session: October 7, 1:00 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. MS Teams (register online)
- Application deadline: December 1, 2025 (end of day)
- Decisions announced: January 2026
Faculty and staff are strongly encouraged to consult with the Incubator team (tii@uwaterloo.ca) prior to submitting a proposal. All applications will be reviewed by a cross-campus adjudication committee.
Two evenings of community-powered decolonization
A message from Conrad Grebel University College.
Join the Kindred Credit Union for Peace Advancement to listen and learn about how to build peace together in our communities with Indigenous thought-leader and justice catalyst, Sarah Augustine. Sarah will inspire and equip us with insights from decades of practical work on peace building and dismantling oppressive systems at the community level.
She will be joined by local advocates:
- Mennonite Action, September 29, 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at Conrad Grebel Chapel, Waterloo; and
- Adrian Jacobs of Six Nations, October 1, 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at Shantz Mennonite Church, Baden.
Space is limited. Register to join one or both evenings. These events are co-organized by local peace-building organizations including the Mennonite Central Committee Ontario, Coalition to End the Doctrine of Discovery, Mennonite Action, Christian Reformed Church, and Kindred Credit Union Centre for Peace Advancement.
About the speakers
- Sarah Augustine, a Pueblo (Tewa) descendant, is the co-founder and Executive Director of Coalition to Dismantle the Doctrine of Discovery. She is an Indigenous Anabaptist activist and author and has worked in relationship with vulnerable Indigenous Peoples since 2005. Read: “The Land Is Not Empty: Following Jesus in Dismantling the Doctrine of Discovery.”
- Adrian Jacobs, a Cayuga from Six Nations, is Senior Leader for Indigenous Justice at the Christian Reformed Church in North America. He is an educator and visionary of the annual Strawberry Thanksgiving and Communion, which calls churches in to the practical work of Indigenous land justice and relationship repair.
- Mennonite Action is a movement of Mennonites, Christians, and friends following the call of Jesus Christ to live as active peacemakers, standing firmly on the side of the oppressed. They take public action against the occupation of Palestine and for a world where all God’s children are free.
Please email fionali@mcco.ca if you have any questions.
Monday's notes
An Energy Transitions Networking Forum takes place today from 9:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. in Federation Hall. Hosted by the Faculty of Environment, this forum is the first event in the Sustainable Futures for Tomorrow’s Leaders Series; linking student talent and industry to shape a changing workforce and drive economic prosperity and sustainability. Undergraduate and graduate students from all faculties are welcome.
The Waterloo Institute for Nanotechnology's Distinguished Lecture will feature Professor Karim Zaghib with remarks entitled "Success Story of LiFePO4 (LFP) As Cathode Material for Rechargeable Lithium Batteries: from Lab to Market" today at 11:00 a.m. in QNC 1501. Dr. Zaghib is CEO of Volt-Age (CFREF), Professor of Chemical and Materials Engineering, Director, Collaborating Centres for Energy and Transition (C2ET), Concordia University.
Tonight at 5:00 p.m., theTD Walter Bean Public Lecture featuring Sir Andrew Steer takes place in the Humanities Theatre. "From building resilient cities to restoring ecosystems, Dr. Steer will explore what’s working, what’s failing, and how countries like Canada must lead — at home and on the global stage," says a note from the Faculty of Environment.
Link of the day
World Heart DayWhen and where
The Campus Wellness Student Medical Clinic offers healthcare visits with Physicians and Nurse Practitioners to current undergraduate and graduate students. Services include: vaccinations, immunity testing, naturopathic services and more. Counselling Services offers appointments with counsellors in person as well as via phone and video. Students can book appointments for these services by calling Campus Wellness at 519-888-4096.
The privately-run Student Health Pharmacy (located in the lower level of the Student Life Centre) is now offering new COVID booster shots and flu shots. Covid booster shots are available by appointment only – please call ext. 33784 or 519-746-4500. The Student Health Pharmacy’s summer hours are Monday to Friday, 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Naloxone kits are still available – pick them up in the pharmacy at no charge.
The Waterloo Eye Institute optometry clinics in Waterloo and downtown Kitchener offer comprehensive eye exams and eyewear, including glasses and contact lenses, with the Waterloo location offering various specialized services including urgent eye care. Discounts apply for University of Waterloo students and employees. The Waterloo Clinic is at a nearby interim location, 419C Phillip St, during construction at the School of Optometry and Vision Science. The Kitchener Clinic remains at the Health Sciences Campus, 10B Victoria St. S. Book online or by phone at 519-888-4062.
Energy Transitions Networking Forum, Monday, September 29, 9:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., Federation Hall.
WIN Distinguished Lecture with Prof. Karim Zaghib, CEO of Volt-Age (CFREF), Professor of Chemical and Materials Engineering, Director, Collaborating Centres for Energy and Transition (C2ET), Concordia University, "Success Story of LiFePO4 (LFP) As Cathode Material for Rechargeable Lithium Batteries: from Lab to Market", Monday, September 29 at 11:00 a.m., QNC 1501.
TD Walter Bean Public Lecture featuring Sir Andrew Steer, “Courage to Act: tackling the world’s toughest environmental challenges,” Monday, September 29, 5:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., Humanities Theatre.
Tree Planting with the Sustainability Office, Tuesday, September 30, 12 noon to 2:00 p.m., Healing Forest.
National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, Tuesday, September 30, 7:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., BMH Green.
Tree Planting with the Sustainability Office, Wednesday, October 1, 12 noon to 2:00 p.m., Healing Forest.
Community Well-being Fruits and Veg Market, Wednesday, October 1, 12 noon to 4:00 p.m. (while supplies last), Engineering 7 first floor (by the Robohub) and Health Expansion Building first floor foyer.
Brave Space Conversations, Wednesday, October 1, 12 noon to 1:00 p.m., online.
Exploring careers in mental health, Wednesday, October 1, 4:30 p.m. to 6:00 p.m., AL 208.
Responding to a student in distress training sessions: Virtual sessions to feel more confident when supporting students in distress, Thursday, October 2, 10:00 a.m. to 12 noon. Register on Portal.
Woodlot Understory Planting with the Sustainability Office, Thursday, October 2, 12 noon to 2:00 p.m., Healing Forest.
Faculty of Arts Distinguished Lecture in Economics 2025, "Changing Harmful Norms" featuring Dr. Eliana La Ferrara, Thursday, October 2, 3:00 p.m., Federation Hall.
NEW - UWSA Elections: Meet the Candidates, Monday, October 6, 12 noon to 1:00 p.m., online.
NEW - Climate Change Research and Action in an Era of Political Turmoil, Thursday, October 9, 1:00 p.m. to 2:30 p.m., EC5 1111.
Upcoming service interruptions
Stay up to date on service interruptions, campus construction, and other operational changes on the Plant Operations website. Upcoming service interruptions include:
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Tunnel between South Campus Hall and the Tatham Centre closure, Friday, September 19 to November 1, access to the A3 section of the tunnel between SCH and TC will be restricted due to construction work, there will be no entry to the tunnel and pedestrians will need to use alternative routes.
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School of Optometry temporary washroom closures, Thursday, September 25 until further notice, washrooms in Rooms 2023, 2026, and 3040 are out of service.
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RAC-1 southeast stair closure, Monday, September 29 to October 20, stair "A" will be closed from level 2 to level 3, excessive noise will be expected throughout the closure period.
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School of Pharmacy, Integrated Health Building, Innovation Arena fire alarm testing, Wednesday, October 1, 6:30 a.m. to 8:15 a.m.
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University Club, Bauer Warehouse, Avril fire alarm testing, Wednesday, October 1, 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.
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Engineering 3 electrical shutdown, Saturday, October 4, 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m., several panels and services affected.
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Centre for Environmental & Information Technology electrical shutdown, Saturday, October 4, 7:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., all normal power will be affected during meter installation, emergency power will not be affected.
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Physics domestic cold water shutdown, Saturday, October 4, 7:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., no water to sinks and toilets during meter installation.
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Hagey Hall addition domestic cold water shutdown, Saturday, October 4, 7:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., no water to sinks and toilets during the shutdown while a meter is installed.
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Chemistry 2 electrical shutdown, Sunday, October 5, 7:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., all normal power to the building will be off while a meter is installed, emergency power will not be affected.
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Student Life Centre, Health Services electrical shutdown, Saturday, October 11, 7:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., will affect all normal power in SLC and HS to accommodate metering installation, emergency power will not be affected, buildings will be without normal power.