Editor:
Brandon Sweet
University Communications
bulletin@uwaterloo.ca
Global Futures Community Collaboration Forum brings together regional partners
A message from University Relations.
The University of Waterloo welcomed community, industry, nonprofit, and government leaders to Federation Hall on January 22 for the Global Futures Community Collaboration Forum, a morning focused on advancing partnerships that strengthen the region and support the University’s Waterloo at 100 vision. The event also highlighted the launch of the 2026 Global Futures: Innovation Update.
President Vivek Goel opened by reflecting on Waterloo’s deep history of collaboration and the continued importance of working together to tackle today’s complex challenges. He highlighted progress in the five intersecting Global Futures (societal, health, sustainable, technological, and economic) and emphasized that the region’s greatest achievements happen when partners move forward collectively. He also noted recent examples of this shared momentum, including the Waterloo Region AI Coalition and the University’s partnership with the Waterloo Regional Hospital Network (WRHN) to establish a new regional hospital on north campus.
The event showcased two of the eight inaugural Global Futures Initiatives (GFIs) supported by the Global Futures Fund that highlight this collaborative spirit in action. Fayaz Noormohamed, Executive Director of the Global Futures, moderated two armchair chats with GFI leads and their community partners.
First was a discussion with Dr. Leia Minaker, director of the Future Cities Institute founded by CAIVAN, and Phil Mills, who serves as both CEO of Habitat for Humanity and CEO of BUILD NOW: Waterloo Region, North America’s largest affordable housing initiative focused on homeownership. Minaker and Mills discussed new approaches to housing affordability—one of the region’s most urgent challenges—and the need to “build now” and move quickly from research to implementation. Their forthcoming Living Lab will use insights from engineering, planning, health, economics, and psychology to explore how communities can build high‑quality, affordable housing more quickly and efficiently. Noting that young people are increasingly pessimistic about housing prospects, the speakers called for a shift to values-based realism. But they are hopeful that recent successes can be replicated across the country, noting that “with good partners and willing cities, we can do this anywhere.”
Next, Dr. Edith Law, executive director of the recently launched Future of Work Institute, and Joanne McKinley, Director of Software Development at Google’s Kitchener office, discussed new research and education pilots developed through the institute. Their work aims to strengthen AI literacy, improve learning performance, and prepare workers for rapid technological change. Google emphasized that while AI could save the average worker up to 170 hours per year, its potential depends on people having the skills to use it safely and effectively. With Canada’s largest engineering office located in Kitchener, Google mentors are already supporting student prototypes and interdisciplinary learning opportunities on campus.
During networking time, attendees were free to explore the showcase of inspiring student-led and student-focused initiatives and speak with students. The showcase included Mandel Diagnostics, Co-operative and Experiential Education, Futures Lab, Future Cities Institute, Piece of Mind and Cross-Voxel Exchange Model (CVXM).
The event concluded with an invitation for community organizations to connect with the University to explore new opportunities for partnership.
It's show and tell time at UWAG
MT Space is presenting a special edition of TELL! in partnership with Textile and the University of Waterloo Art Gallery on Wednesday, February 11.
The event is being held as part of the i look to the skies exhibition by Palestinian-Canadian artist Jude Abu Zaineh.
"TELL! is MT Space's coffeehouse open-mic style event offering the community an artistic platform to share their works in a casual setting," says a note from UWAG. "It is a platform that offers time and space to share something you’ve created, or something you’ve been working on; whether it’s a short performance, story, poetry, or artwork, we welcome all forms of expression."
Want to participate? Thinking of performing? The Eventbrite registration page has everything you need to know.
"The event is dedicated to Palestinian voices," says UWAG. "We invite you to share your works, stories, calls to action, or anything you feel like sharing in solidarity with Palestine. This event is low/no tech, so bring anything you may need for your performance, including amps for instruments. Use this as an opportunity to get feedback from an engaged audience or simply show us what you've got!"
Jude Abu Zaineh's i look to the skies is presented in partnership with Mount Saint Vincent University Art Gallery and was developed through an artist residency with Jude Abu Zaineh, organized by MSVU Art Gallery and curated by Melanie Colosimo. MSVU Art Gallery acknowledges the support of the Canada Council for the Arts, Arts Nova Scotia, and Halifax Regional Municipality.
Senate Faculty and Graduate Student voting ends tomorrow
A message from the Secretariat.
Voting for Senate elections has opened and will remain open until Tuesday, February 10 at 4:30 p.m. All eligible faculty members and graduate students will have received an email to cast your ballot through the Secretariat’s online voting system (simply voting). If you have not, or you have questions, please contact us at elections@uwaterloo.ca.
For more details about candidates, please visit the Current Nominations and Elections website.
Link of the day
"You talkin' to me?" Taxi Driver at 50
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.
Warriors Winter Youth Camps, registration is now open for multi-sport and games, baseball, basketball, eSports, football and hockey camps for boys and girls ages 5 to 18. Register today!
Winter 2026 Student Experience Survey. The Winter SES is now open. Please check your @uwaterloo email or visit LEARN to see if you have been invited. Those that submit their responses will receive $5 on their WatCard. The survey is open until February 27.
Waterloo Forum, “Is the Future of Canada with Europe?” Monday, February 9, 5:00 p.m., PSE (E7) 2nd floor event space
Friendship Bracelet Making, Monday, February 9, 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., Grad House.
Love Data Week: Turning Numbers into Love Letters, Tuesday, February 10, 11:00 a.m. to 12 noon, online.
Love Data Week: Where's the Indigenous Data? Reframing Data Stewardship, Tuesday, February 10, 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m., online.
GIS Speed Run: Every Map is Wrong!, Tuesday, February 10, 2:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m., online.
Exploring careers in human health and well-being, Tuesday, February 10, 4:30 p.m. to 6:00 p.m., EXP 1689.
Future Cities X Velocity Speed Hack, Tuesday, February 10, 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., SCH second floor cafeteria.
International Student Mixer, Tuesday, February 10, 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., SLC Grad Lounge (SLC 3216).
Future Cities x Velocity Speed Hack, Tuesday, February 10, 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., SCH second floor cafeteria.
Noon Hour Concert: Northern Winter, Wednesday, February 11, 12 noon, Conrad Grebel Chapel. Free admission.
Love Data Week: Where in the World Is My Data Set? Web Scraping for Curious People, Wednesday, February 11, 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m., online.
Zotero is our friend, and it can be your friend too, Wednesday, February 11, 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m., LIB 329.
WICI ALife Talk: Dr. Peter Lewis, Ontario Technical University: "Aspects of Social Intelligence and What We Can Learn from Modelling Them," Wednesday, February 11, 2:30 p.m., M3 3127.
Warriors Basketball vs. McMaster, Wednesday, February 11, 6:00 p.m. (Women), 8:00 p.m. (Men), Carl Totzke Court, PAC. Unity in Motion – honouring the cultures that make us all Warriors. Buy your tickets today!
Cultivating climate activism through storytelling and art with guest speaker Isaac Murdoch, presented by the Waterloo Climate Institute, the Office of Indigenous Relations, and the Faculty of Environment, Wednesday, February 11, 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., CIGI auditorium. Reception to follow.
TELL! Open Mic and potluck event, Wednesday, February 11, 7:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m., University of Waterloo Art Gallery.
Indigenous Perspectives on AI - Online (CTE7559) Thursday, February 12, 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m., online.
Love Data Week: Love at First Stat - Rediscover the Fundamentals, Thursday, February 12, 11:00 a.m. to 12 noon, online.
GSA Radio Love Shack, Thursday, February 12, 12 noon to 4:00 p.m., Grad House Green Room.
NEW - Reading Week, Saturday, February 14 to Sunday, February 22.
NEW - Warriors Men’s Hockey vs. TMU, Saturday, February 14, 4:00 p.m., CIF Arena. True Love Wears Black and Gold, Graduating Senior Night. Buy your tickets today!
NEW - Warriors Basketball vs. Brock, Saturday, February 14, 6:00 p.m. (Women), 8:00 pm (Men), Carl Totzke Court, PAC. True Love Wears Black and Gold, Graduating Senior Night, Buy your tickets today!
NEW - Family Day, Monday, February 16, most University operations and buildings closed.
NEW - Dissertation Boost Camp, Tuesday, February 17, 9:00 a.m. to 12 noon, SLC Grad Lounge (SLC 3216).
NEW - AI Discovery Day, Wednesday, February 18, 8:45 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Science Teaching Complex.
NEW - W3+ Barre with Katy, Wednesday, February 18, 12 noon to 1:00 p.m., Physical Activities Complex.
NEW - Virtual-first, human-first: Reimagining primary care through innovation, Wednesday, February 18, 12 noon to 1:00 p.m., online.
NEW - Grade 10 Info Night, Thursday, February 19, 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. ET in Hagey Hall.
NEW - Hagey Bonspiel, Saturday, February 21, Ayr Curling Club. Register by Friday, February 13.
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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STC main atrium scaffolding erection, Friday, February 6 to Saturday, February 21, 4:00 p.m. to 12:00 a.m., contractor will be erecting scaffolding during the evenings throughout the time period of this service interruption, which will partially impede pedestrian access in the area adjacent to the B1 building.
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Engineering 2 and 3, Davis Centre, Math & Computer fire alarm testing, Monday, February 9, 6:30 a.m. to 8:15 a.m.
- E3 electrical shutdown, Monday, February 9, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., rooms 2109, 2109A, 2108G and 2108H, and the exhaust fan in 2108F will be without power.
- E2 loading dock crane operation, Tuesday, February 10, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., E2 loading dock will be closed to accommodate a crane and flatbed truck lifting materials onto the E3 roof.
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Physical Activities Complex, Student Life Centre, RAC 1 and 2, Federation Hall fire alarm testing, Wednesday, February 11, 6:30 a.m. to 8:15 a.m.
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Environment 1, 2 and 3, Modern Languages, Dana Porter Library, Needles Hall fire alarm testing, Friday, February 13, 6:30 a.m. to 8:15 a.m.
- MacKenzie King Village electrical shutdown, Sunday, February 15, 6:00 a.m. to 6:30 a.m., power will be off, emergency power and east side elevator will be available.
- Ron Eydt Village electrical shutdown, Sunday, February 15, 6:45 a.m. to 8:00 a.m., power will be off, but emergency power will be available, elevator in the central complex will be off.