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Welcome to a new year at Waterloo
Dear University community,
Welcome to a new academic year at Waterloo.
The beginning of the Fall term is always a special time, filled with possibilities. It’s a chance to return with fresh energy from the summer months, ready to explore new opportunities, build connections, and take the next steps in our journey at Waterloo.
Although Waterloo has been part of my life for many years, serving as President has given me renewed appreciation for what makes this University so unique. As I begin the first academic year of my tenure, I’m thrilled to see the enthusiasm and excitement across campus, and I’m inspired by the talent, curiosity, and determination that define our institution.
What makes Waterloo special is not only our commitment to discovery and innovation, but the way we learn, create, and solve complex challenges together. Our students, faculty, and staff each bring unique experiences, perspectives, and strengths that enrich our campus and amplify Waterloo’s impact around the world.
Whether you are arriving on campus for the first time or returning to continue your work and studies, I encourage you to embrace the opportunities ahead. Be curious, get involved, build meaningful relationships, and challenge yourself.
I wish you all the best in the year ahead.
Watch the President's Fall welcome message.
'With a pinch of art and humour'
This is an excerpt from an article that was originally in Waterloo News.
It was such good news, the engineering professor and his student celebrated by sipping blueberry wine from espresso cups in his office at the University of Waterloo.
Sweet and unconventional, it was a fitting choice for two researchers who had just been informed they were winners of the 2026 Ig Nobel Physics Prize for their work on a splash-free urinal design.
A light-hearted parody of the prestigious Nobel Prizes, the annual Ig Nobels celebrate unusual and imaginative academic achievements that make people laugh, then think.
The professor, Dr. Zhao Pan, and the student, Kaveeshan Thurairajah, were all-in on the spirit of the international contest – organized by the magazine Annals of Improbable Research – as they attended the sold-out awards ceremony in Zurich, Switzerland last week wearing bright yellow raincoats and even signed some autographs.
Pan, a professor of mechanical and mechatronics engineering, embraces his broad sense of humour, as well as an appreciation of art, in both the lab and the classroom.
“Without physics and math, we cannot design a humble urinal, let alone anything more complex,” he says. “With a pinch of art and humour, our ordinary, everyday lives can be just a bit better.”
Glenn Fretz: Graphic Design for the Mennonite Community
This is an excerpt from an article that was originally on the Conrad Grebel website.
Logos surround us. How often do we think about the values they convey? This exhibit tells and shows the story of Glenn Fretz’s fifty-year career as a graphic designer and consultant, focusing on his work with Mennonite and non-profit organizations. It also gives a nod to his most ubiquitous work – his redesign of the Trillium symbol for the government of Ontario.
Thoughtfully designed by Fretz himself, the exhibit features reflections on process (“relationships are the most important part of the job”), and pays tribute to his clients and the meanings they asked him to convey through design. Examples from the Mennonite Archives of Ontario and Fretz’s personal collection demonstrate how his work was (and continues to be) used in real life.
When and Where
Share your perspective on Waterloo’s future. President Bill Rosehart wants to hear from you. The voluntary and anonymous survey takes approximately 15 minutes to complete. Complete the survey by Wednesday, September 30.
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!
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
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
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.
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
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.
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.
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
Accessibility Ally Network: Accessibility in Work Meetings, Wednesday, September 23, 11 a.m. to 12 p.m.
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)
[NEW] Campus Bird Walk, Tuesday, September 29, 7:30 - 8:15 a.m., Brubacher House
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
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 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 website for details on requesting a copy to review. Oral Defence: Friday, September 18, 2026, 1 p.m., B1 266