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Brandon Sweet
University Communications
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Google partners with Waterloo to shape the future of work and learning
From left to right: Jules Walter, director of product management, Google, Dr. Charmaine Dean, vice-president, Research and International, Sabrina Geremia, vice-president and country managing director, Google, Dr. Edith Law, new Google Chair in the Future of Work and Learning and executive director of the Future of Work Institute, Nolan Quinn, Minister of Colleges, Universities, Research Excellence and Security, Dr. Vivek Goel, president and vice-chancellor of Waterloo, Dr. Raouf Boutaba, director of David R. Cheriton School of Computer Science and Dr. Jochen Koenemann, dean of Faculty of Mathematics.
This is an excerpt of an article originally published on Waterloo News.
On Wednesday, the University of Waterloo and Google announced a research collaboration that will examine the impact of artificial intelligence on education and career readiness. The partnership includes a $1 million research agreement to create the Google Chair in the Future of Work and Learning. The Chair is situated within a broader initiative, the Future of Work Institute, which is supported by a $450,000 grant from the University of Waterloo’s Global Futures Fund. The partnership will enable a number of research and education initiatives at the intersection of technology design and pedagogical innovation, including hands-on learning labs for students to envision technologies for the future of work and learning through prototyping.
“Waterloo is at its best when we are thinking differently about the role of technology in society, acting with purpose to create hands-on learning opportunities for students and working together across disciplines and sectors to shape a future where people and communities thrive,” said Dr. Vivek Goel, president and vice-chancellor of Waterloo. “The Google Chair in the Future of Work and Learning embodies this vision. It connects mathematics and computer science with the social sciences and humanities, and links academia with industry and government.”
Google chose the University of Waterloo for this shared initiative because of the university’s emphasis on experiential learning through its largest-in-Canada co-operative education program, its track record of cutting-edge AI research and the university’s close alumni ties to the company. “As a proud University of Waterloo alumnus, I experienced firsthand the value of hands-on, experiential learning through the co-op program,” said Mira Lane, Google’s vice-president, Envisioning Studio, Technology and Society. “Our new partnership builds on this foundation, allowing us to co-create AI-powered learning prototypes alongside students, who are best positioned to envision the future of learning in the AI era.”
At today’s event held on the university’s campus, representatives from Waterloo and Google joined local, provincial, and federal government representatives to celebrate the announcement.
“Ontario is proudly home to world-class researchers whose ground-breaking discoveries drive our economy and critical industries,” said Nolan Quinn, Minister of Colleges, Universities, Research Excellence and Security. “This partnership with Google will further solidify the University of Waterloo as a cutting-edge research powerhouse that provides students with the hands-on skills they need to advance Ontario’s AI sector for decades to come.”
Read the full story on Waterloo News.
Campus flags lowered for employees
Flags on the University of Waterloo's campus will be lowered today and Sunday to mark the recent passing of two employees.
Campus flags will be lowered to half-mast today to honour Professor Kostadinka "Dida" Bizheva, a faculty member in the Department of Physics and Astronomy, who passed away on September 8, 2025. Dr. Bizheva joined the Department of Physics and Astronomy in July 2004 and established her Biomedical Optics Research Group, which is world-renowned for its development of novel imaging technology for use in clinics. She was cross-appointed to the School of Optometry and Vision Science and to the Electrical and Computer Engineering Department in the Faculty of Engineering. Dr. Bizheva was recently named a 2025 Optica Fellow, acknowledging her lifetime of achievement in optics and imaging.
On Sunday, October 5, campus flags will be lowered to half-mast in recognition of Professor Raymond Laflamme, who passed away on June 19, 2025. Dr. Laflamme was the founding Executive Director of the Institute for Quantum Computing (IQC), serving from its inception in 2002 to 2017 and built IQC into a world-class research hub, positioning Canada at the forefront of the quantum revolution. A Celebration of Life for Dr. Laflamme is scheduled for Sunday, October 5 at 2:00 p.m. in the Mike & Ophelia Quantum-Nano Centre, and will be followed by a reception. Registration is encouraged.
Waterloo marked Truth and Reconciliation Day
On Tuesday, September 30, the University of Waterloo community came together for the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.
The celebration began with a Sunrise Ceremony on the BMH Green at 7:00 a.m. followed by a commitment polishing ceremony at 10:00 a.m.
"Today, on the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, I joined the community in ceremony and reflection," President Vivek Goel wrote in a post on LinkedIn. "Three years ago, the University of Waterloo made its first formal commitment to reconciliation, Indigenization, and decolonization. That moment was only the beginning of a much longer journey."
The program included opening and closing remarks, a walk around the Ring Road, drumming, and a round dance.
"Reconciliation is not the responsibility of one person or office as it belongs to all of us, every day," President Goel wrote.
Practicing Difficult Conversations with Ovation VR sessions this fall
A message from the Conflict Management Office (CMO).
As part of the VR for Workplace Wellness initiative, the Conflict Management Office (CMO), in collaboration with the Staff Excellence Fund, is providing all University of Waterloo staff (full-time, part-time, contract, and student staff) with the opportunity to participate in workshops that explore how virtual reality can support you in preparing for difficult conversations.
Ovation VR uses AI-driven avatars to simulate challenging scenarios such as performance reviews, job interviews, and conflict resolution. By allowing you to practice these interactions and receive feedback, this immersive tool can help you build confidence and reduce workplace stress.
Online Zoom sessions focus primarily on the Ovation software. Face-to-face sessions provide resources to support you in preparing to have a difficult conversation and allow you to try out Ovation on a VR headset. VR headsets are available for staff to sign out at the DP and DC libraries.
The first online session takes place today at 12 noon via Zoom.
To register, email Lynn Long at l3long@uwaterloo.ca.
Individual consultations are also available if you would like personalized support for a specific situation and want to explore how Ovation VR can help you build confidence beforehand.
Get ready to rumble at the ring road triathlon and other notes
You're invited to join the UW Triathlon club on Sunday, October 5 for an indoor triathlon event dubbed the Ring Road Rumble. "Whether you're trying your first tri or gunning for a sprint, we’ve got a race for you," says an announcement from the club. The event includes:
- Tri-a-Tri: 7.5 min swim, 22.5 min bike, 1 lap of Ring Road (2.75 km) run
- Sprint: 15 min swim, 45 min bike, 2 laps of Ring Road (5.5 km) run
Food will be served post-race. Spots are limited, so sign up before the starter's pistol goes off!
While we're on the subject of athletics, the Warriors face the York Lions on Saturday, October 4 at 1:00 p.m. on Warrior Field. It's Senior Day, and there is the Pass, Punt, Kick contest for students with the lucky winner walking away with $5,000. WUSA will be collecting for its food drive and there will be a W Store Pop-Up for all your merch needs. Buy your tickets today!
Link of the day
30 years ago: (What's the story) Morning Glory?
When 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.
NEW - WUSA Stock the Bank food drive, Wednesday, October 1 to Friday, October 31.
Imaginus Poster Sale, Monday, September 29 to Friday, October 3, Student Life Centre Great Hall.
Practicing Difficult Conversations with Ovation VR, Friday, October 3, 12 noon to 1:00 p.m. To register, email Lynn Long at l3long@uwaterloo.ca.
From Myth to Malice: Affective and Political Consequences of False Claims to Indigeneity by Rowland Robinson, Friday, October 3, 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m., HH 341.
NEW - Warriors Men’s Football vs. York, Saturday, October 4, 1:00 p.m., Warrior Field. Senior Day, Pass, Punt, Kick Student Contest for $5,000, WUSA Food Drive, W Store Pop-Up. Buy your tickets today!
Ring Road Rumble Triathlon, Sunday, October 5, 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., PAC.
Celebration of Life for Raymond Laflamme, Sunday, October 5, 2:00 p.m. Mike & Ophelia Lazaridis Quantum-Nano Centre.
A Period that Moves: A Conversation about Movement, Sport, and the Menstrual Cycle, Monday, October 6, 12 noon to 1:00 p.m., online.
UWSA Elections: Meet the Candidates, Monday, October 6, 12 noon to 1:00 p.m., online.
NEW - UW Mates Sweet Treat Stroll, Monday, October 6, 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., meet at the Davis Centre bus stop.
NEW - Chemistry Seminar featuring Jung Kwon (John) Oh, Professor, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Concordia University, "Degradable covalent chemistry to develop smart delivery polymeric nanomaterials," Tuesday, October 7, 11:00 a.m. to 12 noon, C2-361
Teaching Innovation Incubator information session, Tuesday, October 7, 1:00 p.m. to 1:30 p.m., MS Teams. Register online.
Noon Hour Concert: Daniel Cabena & Anima, Wedded Pride, Wednesday, October 8, 12 noon, Conrad Grebel University College Chapel, free admission.
NEW - Chuseok (Korean Mid-Autumn Festival) celebration, Wednesday, October 8, 12:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m., Renison University College atrium.
NEW - Melodies and Verses: An Evening of Arabic Music and Poetry, Wednesday, October 8, 5:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m., Dunker Family Lounge, Renison University College.
Climbing the AI Energy Wall, Wednesday, October 8, 6:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., E7 3353.
NEW - WUSA Thrift Sidewalk Sale, Thursday, October 9, 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., SLC Lower Atrium.
Further Education Fair, Thursday, October 9, 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., SLC Great Hall.
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.
Fall Reading Week, Saturday, October 11 to Sunday, October 19.
Thanksgiving holiday, Monday, October 13, most University operations and buildings closed.
NEW - Practicing Difficult Conversations (in-person session), Friday, October 17, 12 noon to 1:00 p.m., to register, email Lynn Long at l3long@uwaterloo.ca.
NEW - GIS Speed Run Sessions: Every Map is Wrong!, Monday, October 20, 12:45 p.m. to 1:15 p.m., online.
NEW - Together in Community: A Collaborative Mural Painting Event, Monday, October 20, 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m., DC 1301 Fishbowl.
NEW - University Senate meeting, Monday, October 20, 3:30 p.m., NH 3407 and online.
NEW - Community Well-being Fruits and Veg Market, Wednesday, October 22, 12 noon to 4:00 p.m. (while supplies last), Engineering 7 first floor (by the Robohub) and Health Expansion Building first floor foyer.
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:
- 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.
- School of Optometry temporary washroom closures, Thursday, September 25 until further notice, washrooms in Rooms 2023, 2026, and 3040 are out of service.
- RAC-1 southeast stair closure, Monday, September 29 to October 20, stair "A" will be entirely closed during the renovation period.
- Energy Research Centre, Math 3, Burt Matthews Hall fire alarm testing, Friday, October 3, 6:30 a.m. to 8:15 a.m.
- Minota Hagey, Mackenzie King Village, Ron Edyt Village fire alarm testing, Friday, October 3, 1:00 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.
- Engineering 3 electrical shutdown, Saturday, October 4, 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m., several panels and services affected.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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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East Campus 1, East Campus 2, East Campus 3 fire alarm testing, Monday, October 6, 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.
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Mathematics 4 crane lift, Monday, October 6, 7:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., minor interruptions at the MC loading dock entrance, pedestrian traffic coming to and out of the MC loading dock access will be asked to stop and wait during active lifting.
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Physical Activities Complex, Student Life Centre, RAC 1 and 2, Federation Hall fire alarm testing, Wednesday, October 8, 6:30 a.m. to 8:15 a.m.
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Psychology, Hagey Hall Humanities, Tatham Centre, Arts Lecture Hall fire alarm testing, Monday, October 6, 6:30 a.m. to 8:15 a.m.
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Engineering 5 localized electrical power interruption, Thursday, October 9, 6:00 a.m. to 7:00 a.m., several rooms and receptacles affected.
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South Campus Hall domestic hot water shutdown, Thursday, October 9, 7:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., no hot water to sinks available during meter installation.
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Arts Lecture Hall domestic hot water shutdown, Thursday, October 9, 7:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., no hot water to sinks available during meter installation.
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Energy Research Centre electrical shutdown, Friday, October 10, 2:00 a.m. to 7:00 a.m., all normal power will be affected during metering installation, emergency power will not be affected.
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Environment 1, 2 and 3, Modern Languages, Dana Porter Library, Needles Hall fire alarm testing, Friday, October 10, 6:30 a.m. to 8:15 a.m.
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East Campus 4, East Campus 5 fire alarm testing, Friday, October 10, 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.
- 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.
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South Campus Hall domestic cold water shutdown, Sunday, October 19, 7:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., domestic cold water hard shutdown to accommodate metering installation, there will be no water to sinks and toilets.
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Commissary domestic hot water shutdown, Thursday, October 23, 7:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., domestic hot water shutdown to accommodate metering installation, there will be no hot water to sinks.
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General Services Complex domestic hot water shutdown, Thursday, October 23, 7:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., domestic hot water shutdown to accommodate metering installation, there will be no hot water to sinks.
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Commissary domestic cold water shutdown, Saturday, October 25, 7:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., domestic cold water hard and soft shutdown to accommodate metering installation, there will be no water to sinks and toilets.