Friday, March 13, 2026

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• Global Engagement Office launches

• Announcing the 2026 GRADflix winners

• Information sessions outline the new approach to performance development

• Nutrition Month: the skinny on fats

• St. Jerome's hosts George Elliott Clarke event

• Rounding down for Pi Day and other notes

Global Engagement Office launches

Interim Vice-President, Academic and Provost Tom Duever has announced the launch of the Global Engagement Office.

"As the University continues to enhance efficiency through streamlined operations and stronger coordination, we have identified opportunities to align efforts that advance Waterloo’s excellence in education, research, and impact worldwide through our global engagement," the provost wrote in a memo circulated to Executive Council yesterday. "Within the Strategic Enrolment Management (SEM) portfolio, we are developing a SEM framework that applies a data-driven approach to the cycle of activities related to outreach, recruitment, admissions, retention, and student satisfaction. The framework will integrate strategic goals, system constraints, government factors, market trends, and demographic influences on business decisions and outcomes affecting student enrolment. This integrated planning approach is bolstering Waterloo’s strategy for international engagement and remains at the core of creating a resilient, coordinated, and people-centred design of organizational operations and planning for the student lifecycle at the University." 

"In a review of the goals and functions of the SEM portfolio, the President, the Vice-President Research and International, and I determined that the international work of the University that is outside the scope of research would be moved into the SEM portfolio, within the newly created Global Engagement Office (GEO). Waterloo International has been closed, and the GEO is now the central unit leading the University’s international strategy. "

In collaboration with Faculties and campus partners, the GEO will:

• Identify and operationalize strategic internationalization priorities,
• Oversee the development of transnational education initiatives and associated revenue-generating opportunities,
• Facilitate joint academic partnerships and programming, and
• Coordinate incoming and outbound institutional international delegations.

"The Safety Abroad team has transitioned to the Student Success Office under the leadership of Pam Charbonneau, which will continue to support international travel safety for faculty, staff, and students," the provost's memo continues. "In parallel with the creation of the GEO, we are forming a new Global Engagement Steering Committee (GESC) that I will co-chair with the President. Membership of the GESC will include a broad range of senior leaders from across campus who will help reformulate and renew the University's international strategy. Operationalization of GESC will be coordinated by the GEO."

"As highlighted in the Provost’s Advisory Committee on Building a Resilient University of Waterloo, an integrated planning approach is fundamental to creating a resilient and coordinated organization," Duever writes. "The GEO plays a key role in advancing this approach by working together with teams across the institution to foster a unified vision for global engagement." 

For more information, please visit the Global Engagement website or reach out to the Provost’s Office if you have any questions.

Announcing the 2026 GRADflix winners

A message from Graduate Studies and Postdoctoral Affairs (GSPA).

At the GRADflix showcase on March 10, competition finalists had their video submissions premiered to an audience of graduate students, staff, faculty, friends, family, and community members. Alongside the video premieres, awards were announced for first, second, and third place, as well as the finalists’ choice award, in which finalists voted for their favourite video created by a peer.

Congratulations to this year’s winners:

• First place: Alicia Pan, Electrical and Computer Engineering
• Second place: Chuchi Chen, Chemical Engineering
• Third place: Madeleine Kenyon, Philosophy
• Finalists’ Choice: Jeswin Joseph, Mechanical and Mechatronics Engineering

All of the 2026 GRADflix finalists’ submissions are now available on YouTube.

Upcoming information sessions outline the new approach to performance development

A message from Human Resources

The University is introducing a new Performance Development Program in May 2026, supported by Workday Talent. This updated approach replaces the traditional annual evaluation with a more continuous, growth-focused model centered on structured goal setting, regular check-ins, and timely feedback. The goal is to create a more human-centred, development-oriented culture where performance conversations stay active and connected to everyday work.

To help staff prepare, the University is offering several information sessions in April 2026, both in person and virtual. These sessions will provide a high-level overview of the program’s purpose, structure, and philosophy, along with a first look at Workday Talent and the resources supporting the transition. While not designed as skills training, employees are encouraged to attend to build a shared understanding ahead of the May 1 launch.

Employees can register for these sessions through Portal.

• Information Session - In Person, April 1, 11:00 a.m. to 12 noon, EC5 1111;
• Information Session - Virtual, April 2, 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. via MS Teams;
• Information Session - Virtual, April 15, 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. via MS Teams; and
• Information Session- In Person, April 16, 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m., EC5 1111.       

Employees can contact performance.development@uwaterloo.ca should they have any questions or require additional information.

Nutrition Month: the skinny on fats

A message from Campus Wellness.

During the month of March, Registered Dietitians (RD) across the country come together to celebrate the diverse field of nutrition and to help Canadians build knowledge and understanding of the connections between food, nutrition, and health.  

This year’s Nutrition Month theme, Nourish to Flourish, focuses on the powerful role nutrition plays in helping individuals and communities thrive. Over the month of March, we will be focusing on the concept ‘Nutrition by Addition’ with the goal of diving deeper into specific foods and/or nutrients that can help us flourish by supporting long-term health and wellbeing.

This week’s ‘nutrition by addition’ profile is on fats!

Flourish with Dietary Fats

Getting down to the true facts on fat can be confusing. You may be asking how much and what kinds of fat you should be eating to support cardiovascular health and maximize nutrient absorption. While there are many types available including more stable solids like butter and coconut oil, semi-solids like margarine, and liquids like canola or olive oil, not all fats are created equal.

Fat is one of our core macronutrients, meaning it supports important physiological processes and should be included regularly in our meals. Fat plays several roles: it's required for proper absorption of fat-soluble vitamins A, D, E, and K; supports heart, brain, and eye health; and enhances both flavour and satiety at meals, helping you feel satisfied longer.

There are four main types of dietary fat: monounsaturated fat, polyunsaturated fat, saturated fat, and trans-fat. Monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats occur naturally in foods like canola and olive oil, avocados, and nuts. These are considered the healthiest options. Saturated fat is typically found in animal-based foods such as dairy products and meat, as well as coconut oil, which is one of the few plant-based saturated fat sources. Some trans-fat can be found naturally in small quantities; others are manufactured by converting liquid oils into solid fats. Manufactured trans-fats are no longer available in Canada due to their proven link to heart disease. The trans-fat found naturally in foods is different than manufactured trans-fat and does not have the same adverse effects. Prioritizing monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats and being more mindful of saturated sources in your diet can be beneficial for general health and reduce cardiovascular disease risk.

While fat is an essential macronutrient, it should be consumed in moderation since fats can be nutritionally dense: a little goes a long way! Health Canada recommends that healthy adults consume 20 per cent to 35 per cent of their total daily calorie intake from fats, which equates to roughly 44 to 75 grams of total fat per day for a standard diet. If you are looking to enhance flavour while reducing fat, consider adding more fresh herbs, spices, and citrus fruits while reducing quantities of cooking oil. The culinary applications of fats can also vary depending on their properties and smoke points. Some have higher smoke points, making them safer for high-heat cooking methods like pan-frying (such as avocado or vegetable oil), while others with lower smoke points are better suited for unheated applications like salad dressings (hemp oil or extra virgin olive oil). Check out this helpful guide on fat uses and various cooking methods.  

Additional resources

• The Facts on Fats
• Coconut Oil: Facts and Myths
• The Smoke Point of Oils

Rounding down for Pi Day and other notes

“The Faculty of Mathematics will be celebrating Pi Day a day early this year with festivities on Friday, March 13,” says a note from the Faculty of Math. “MathSoc will be passing out slices of pie to Math students on the 3^rd floor of MC starting at 1:59 p.m., and all pi enthusiasts are invited to join us in MC Comfy at 3:14 p.m. for this year’s pi recitation contest!”

Advancement has also brought back the annual free pie for alumni this year: alumni in select cities who signed up will receive a free pie, sourced from local bakeries. 

The 43^rd MacKinnon Dinner takes place tonight at 6:00 p.m. in St. Jerome’s University atrium. The event is named in honour of the late Dr. Hugh MacKinnon, a Professor of Medieval History at Waterloo. The dinner event has taken place annually since 1984.