Monday, September 14, 2026

Monday, September 14, 2026

Previous | Next

 

Submit content for the Daily Bulletin through the Daily Bulletin intake form.

For all other requests, please contact communications@uwaterloo.ca.

Waterloo researchers receive honour in recognition of research excellence

This is an excerpt from an article that was originally in Waterloo News.

Eight University of Waterloo researchers have been elected as Fellows and College Members of the Royal Society of Canada (RSC), one of the country’s highest academic honours. The appointments recognize exceptional contributions to research, scholarship and innovation across a wide range of disciplines, from global governance and public health to artificial intelligence, cybersecurity and quantum neurobiology. 

“Congratulations to Waterloo's new Royal Society of Canada Fellows and new Royal Society of Canada College Member on this outstanding achievement,” says Charmaine Dean, Vice-President, Research & International. “Recognition from the Royal Society of Canada marks an exceptional milestone for Canada’s leading researchers and highlights not only the strength of their research programs but also the significant contributions they make to Canada’s research ecosystem and beyond.”

Read the full story.

WUSA’s WalkSafe pilot returns this fall

Launching September 14, WUSA’s WalkSafe pilot program is back for Fall 2026. WalkSafe is a free, peer-led evening service that supports undergraduate students walking on or near main campus between 7:00–10:00 p.m., Monday to Friday. Trained student volunteers walk with their peers to help them feel more comfortable getting around after dark. 

WalkSafe is also about building a stronger sense of community on campus. By creating an easy way for students to support one another, the program reinforces the idea that community makes campus safer and that everyone has a role to play in looking out for their peers. 

This is the second pilot of the service, originally proposed through WUSA’s Change Engine. The fall relaunch continues to evaluate demand, usage, and student impact. 

Learn more or request a walk at wusa.ca/walksafe. 

Update on Waterloo’s Financial ERP System Initiative

A message from Finance.

We are pleased to share an important milestone in the Financial Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) System initiative. Following a comprehensive and competitive Request for Proposal (RFP) process, the University has selected Workday as the financial ERP platform and Deloitte as an implementation partner to support this transformation. Steering Committee meetings began in July to ensure that the project stays on track and that appropriate consultations take place as we transition Unit4 and related systems to the Workday platform. 

Implementation will occur over the next three years, guided by the following core principles that will shape project decision-making, stakeholder engagement, and the evaluation of requirements throughout the initiative:  

  • Transparency through early and ongoing consultation 

  • Adoption of modern and standard business processes 

  • Simplicity over unnecessary complexity 

  • Timely decision-making 

These principles will support consistent institutional processes, reduce unnecessary duplication of systems and practices, and help ensure the project delivers sustainable solutions that meet the University's long-term needs. 

The project’s overall goal is to deliver a modern, integrated financial platform that supports Waterloo’s academic mission and efficient administrative processes. This is a multi-year initiative that will take place in phases to ensure a thoughtful, well-managed transition. The new solution will enable streamlined processes that reduce complexity and improve efficiency, enhance reporting and data accessibility through system consolidation, modernize functionality and intuitive design for an improved user experience, and reduce the number of systems used by the campus community. 

What’s next? 

  • A formal faculty and other stakeholder engagement plan is being finalized and will be launched in the coming weeks. 

Thank you for your continued support and collaboration as we move forward with this exciting initiative. 

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 Youth Swim Lessons, registration is now open for LTS Child/Youth Preschool 1 – Swimmer 9. Group and private lessons available. Register today!

[NEW] Join us for the Warriors Fuel Grand Opening, at Columbia Ice Fields September 14–19, and celebrate with a special offer: Buy One, Get One FREE smoothies all week long, including Homecoming! Stop by, bring a friend, and find your new favourite way to fuel your day! See the New Hours: Warriors Fuel

Why Founders Waste Months on the Wrong Decisions and How to Avoid It, Monday, September 14, 6:20 p.m. to 8:20 p.m., Builders Club, 165 King Street West, Kitchener.

Crochet/Knit Stress Buster Drop-in Sessions, every Monday from September 14 to December 14, 11a.m. to 1:30 p.m.(no session on October 12). Evenings: September 23, October 19, and November 9 from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. CPH 2371.

UWSA Election Info Session, Tuesday, September 15, 12 pm to 1 pm, online

Noon Hour Concert Series - Andromeda Trio & Special Guests, Embroidered with Jagged Patterns, Wednesday, September 16, 12 p.m., Conrad Grebel University College Chapel. A collaboration between Karen Sunabacka (Composer and Music Faculty at the University of Waterloo) and Andromeda Trio, celebrating their 8-year relationship and upcoming album recording. Free Admission

[NEW] Community Well-being Fruits and Veg Market, Wednesday, September 16, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., Student Life Centre (SLC) Marketplace and Pearl Sullivan Engineering Building (PSE) 1st floor.

Journaling for Well-being, 8 weeks starting Friday, September 18. Online.

[NEW] Doors Open Waterloo Region, Saturday, September 19, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Brubacher House (North Campus UW).

Chemistry Seminar Series: Ingo Krossing, “Fluorinated Anions for Electrolytes and Interphases – A thrive through the Li and Post-Li Battery World,” Tuesday, September 22, 10:30 a.m., QNC 1501

[NEW] Research Talks: Water Crisis in Waterloo Region Tuesday, September 22, 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., Registry Theatre, 122 Frederick Street, Kitchener. Register to attend this free public event.

[NEW] GIS Speed Run Session 1: What is GIS?, Tuesday, September 22, 12:45 to 1:45 p.m., online.  

Belonging at Waterloo: From Being Here to Being Part of Something, Wednesday, September 23, 11 a.m. to 12 p.m., online. This Healthy Waterloo webinar is primarily intended for students, with faculty, staff, alumni, and external community members also welcome to attend. The session will explore belonging, social connection and wellbeing during the university experience.

[NEW] Accessibility Ally Network: Accessibility in Work Meetings, Wednesday, September 23, 11 a.m. to 12 p.m.

Home Routes folk concert: Shawna Caspi, Thursday, September 24, 6 p.m. Potluck / 7 p.m. Concert, Brubacher House - North Campus UW, Frank Tompa Dr., Waterloo

Climate pedagogy across the curriculum: approaches for higher education, Friday, September 25, 12 p.m. to 2 p.m., EV2 room 2006

BioBlitz 2026, Monday, September 21, 7 a.m. to Friday, September 25, 5 p.m., various locations across campus.

Safeguarding Science Webinar: Module 8 - Protecting Knowledge: Research Security in Social Sciences and Humanities (English), Monday, September 21, 2026, 1 to 2:30 p.m.

Teaching with Tech: A Practical ViewBoard Workshop - In Person (TII5010), Tuesday, September 22, 2:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m., LIB 329 (Tech Sandbox)

P4E Job Fair, Wednesday, September 23, 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., RIM Park

Belonging at Waterloo: From Being Here to Being Part of Something: Wednesday, September 23, 11 a.m. to 12 p.m., virtual. Professor Troy Glover explores how social connections and shared experiences can foster a sense of belonging on campus. Registration today.

Noon Hour Concert Series - Ryan Baxter, Piano Music by Indigenous Composers in Canada, Wednesday, September 23, 12 p.m., Conrad Grebel University College Chapel, Selected work for piano by Indigenous Canadian composers, played in the spirit of Truth & Reconciliation. Free Admission

Climate pedagogy across the curriculum: approaches for higher education, Friday, September 25, 12 p.m. to 2 p,.m., EV2 room 2006

Celebrate Indigenous Culture at the 2026 Gidinawendamin/Ska’nikú•lát Pow Wow, September 26, 10 a.m. - 5:30 p.m., Columbia Icefield (CIF) Outdoor Field. Free Admission.

Introduction to Crochet, Monday, September 28, 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., or Wednesday, October 14 & 21, 12 noon to 1 p.m. (class is held over two weeks). It will also be held on Monday, November 2, 5 pm to 7 pm, and on the Cambridge Campus on Tuesday, September 29, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Location will be sent at registration. Note: This workshop costs $25.

Science Grad School Fair, Tuesday, September 29, 1 to 4 p.m., STC, Main Commons (by STC 1001 and Starbucks)

Noon Hour Concert Series - Subhira Quintet, Worldly Jazz from Chile, Wednesday, September 30, 12 p.m., Conrad Grebel University College Chapel, Combines musical ethnic roots of Chile and other countries with classical music, jazz and South American rich dancing traditional music.Free Admission

Knowledge Mobilization Community of Practice, "Knowledge Mobilizationin Canada and Beyond: Where Are We and Where Are We Going?" Thursday, October 1, 1:30 p.m. to 3 p.m. Location: EC5 1111 (Enterprise Theatre). For questions, contact Nadine Quehl (nquehl@uwaterloo.ca)

WaterLeadership Certificate: Knowledge Mobilization 101, Wednesday, October 7, 10 to 11:30 a.m. in E2-2350. Earn the certificate, gain transferable skills. All undergrads and grads welcome from all faculties. Space is limited, registration required

Upcoming service interruptions

Stay up to date on service interruptions, campus construction, and other operational changes on the Plant Operations website. 

PhD oral defences

Biology. Gyana Gourab Mishra, "Characterizing the conserved role of palmitoylation in neurodegeneration using the model organism Drosophila melanogaster." Supervisor, Dr. Dale Martin. Visit the Faculty of Science thesis submission notices website for details on requesting a copy to review. Oral defence Monday, September 14, 1 p.m., remote via Microsoft Teams. 

School of Public Health Sciences. Rhoda Omache, "Exploring the Experiences and Perceptions of African-Canadian Immigrants’ Cultural Food Practices within Waterloo-Wellington Region." Supervisor, Dr. Hannah Neufeld. Email health.graduate.administration@uwaterloo.ca for a copy. Oral defence Wednesday, September 16, 11 a.m., EXP 1686 (hybrid).

Physics and Astronomy, Saba KARIMI, “Transformation of Stable Polystyrene Glasses toward Equilibrium.” Supervisor(s), Dr. James Forrest. Visit the Faculty of Science https://uwaterloo.ca/science/graduate/thesis-defence-submission-information/thesis-submission-notices website for details on requesting a copy to review. Oral Defence: Thursday, September 17, 2026, 11 a.m., PHY 308  

Biology, Fatma Hassan MOHAMMED, “The function and inhibition of SARS-Cov-2 main protease(mpro).” Supervisor(s), Dr. Todd Holyoak. Visit the Faculty of Science https://uwaterloo.ca/science/graduate/thesis-defence-submission-information/thesis-submission-notices website for details on requesting a copy to review. Oral Defence: Friday, September 18, 2026, 1 p.m., B1 266