Thursday, October 22, 2026

Join us today for President Rosehart’s installation

Today, the University of Waterloo officially installs Dr. Bill Rosehart as its eighth President and Vice-Chancellor, and the Waterloo community is invited to join the celebration.

Watch the ceremony livestream from 3 to 4 p.m.

Watch with colleagues

Gather your team, department or friends for a watch party. Submit a group photo by October 30 for a chance to receive a special visit from President Rosehart.

You can also share your congratulations and well-wishes as we mark this new chapter in Waterloo’s history.

Visit the Presidential Installation webpage for more information.

Waterloo’s one hundred and thirty-third Convocation officially starts tomorrow

The University of Waterloo will celebrate its one hundred and thirty-third Convocation on Friday, October 23 and Saturday, October 24. Graduates from all six faculties will cross the stage during five ceremonies at the Physical Activities Complex (PAC), marking an important milestone in their academic journeys as they join Waterloo's global alumni network of more than 270,000 graduates. 

From classrooms and research labs to co-op work terms and campus experiences, graduates will celebrate the achievements and connections that have shaped their time at Waterloo. As they prepare for their next chapter, convocation offers an opportunity to reflect on their accomplishments alongside family, friends and the University community.  

The celebrations begin Friday with the Faculty of Science in the morning, followed by the Faculties of Environment and Health in the afternoon and the Faculty of Mathematics in the evening. On Saturday, the Faculty of Arts will celebrate in the morning, followed by the Faculty of Engineering in the afternoon. 

Five students have been selected to deliver valedictory addresses during this fall's ceremonies. Norman Ly (Science), Shahriyer Hossain Shetu (Environment), Cong Ma (Mathematics), Sarah English (Arts) and Nicholas Pellegrino (Engineering) will represent their fellow graduates. 

The University will also confer four honorary doctorates in recognition of outstanding achievements and contributions to research, innovation and society. Recipients include mathematician Nigel Hitchin, Arctic archaeologist Douglas R. Stenton, and Waterloo Engineering alumni Frank Headley Baylis and Krishan Kumar Shah, whose work has advanced medical technology. Melanie C.W. Campbell and Robert Mann will also receive the designation of Distinguished Professor Emeritus in the Faculty of Science. 

This fall's Convocation also marks a milestone for Dr. Bill Rosehart, who will celebrate his first fall ceremonies as Waterloo's eighth President and Vice-Chancellor. Chancellor Jagdeep Singh Bachher will preside over the ceremonies. 

The ceremonies will be livestreamed on the Convocation website so supporters around the world can join the celebrations. 

Congratulations to all Waterloo graduates and to the families, friends, faculty and staff who supported them along the way! 

Help shape more sustainable workplaces

By: Matthew King

Sustainability in the workplace takes more than good intentions. It requires people who can understand complex systems, consider the broader impacts of decisions and turn ideas into meaningful action. The Centre for Work-Integrated Learning’s WIL Authorship Collaborative is inviting faculty, staff and graduate researchers to bring their expertise to these challenges through its Winter 2027 call for proposals.

The theme, Sustainable Futures and the World of Work, explores how organizations can build more resilient and sustainable practices by understanding the connections between people, teams, projects and broader systems.

Proposals may explore topics such as systems thinking, organizational change, sustainability frameworks and strategies for implementing and communicating human-centred solutions. The review committee will prioritize proposals that connect these themes to workplace-relevant competencies, including critical thinking, collaboration, communication and implementation.

“The Collaborative gives faculty, staff and graduate students an opportunity to share their expertise with students across disciplines, connect with colleagues and help translate research and knowledge into practical learning that students can apply in the workplace,” says Erin Jobidon, Senior Manager, WIL Curriculum.

Selected contributors will advise and curate resources that the Centre for WIL curriculum team will use to develop for use in work-integrated learning courses and programming. Participation offers a way to extend the reach of their expertise, contribute to curriculum development and build connections across campus. Authorship collaborators will have access to the created learning materials for use in their own educational offerings.

The call for proposals closes October 26, 2026. Proposals should be 600 words or less.

Learn more about the Winter 2027 call for proposals, including submission requirements and how to participate. For questions or support developing an idea, contact centreforwil@uwaterloo.ca.

The experiences that shape what comes next for Waterloo’s newest grads

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

As another class prepares to cross the convocation stage, Waterloo’s newest graduates are looking back on the experiences that made their undergraduate years memorable. Along the way, they found new passions, built lasting connections and discovered opportunities that helped shape where they’re headed next.

Whether their Waterloo story began with a childhood visit to campus or at the Ontario Universities’ Fair, each graduate arrived by a different path and made the experience their own. From co-op and community to studying abroad, seven undergraduates share the moments that shaped their time at Waterloo.

What Waterloo moment are you most proud of, and why?

Ayush Verma (he/him)

Faculty of Science — Bachelor of Science in Honours Biology

My proudest Waterloo moment happened at the 2025 Ontario Universities’ Fair, where I represented the Faculty of Science as an experienced Science Ambassador. I was surprised to see myself featured on the cover of the prospective student brochure, which highlights the programs and experiences Science at Waterloo has to offer.

It felt like a full-circle moment. I went from arriving at Waterloo without knowing anyone to appearing on the very brochure that could help future students choose their university and program.

Now, I’m continuing my Waterloo journey with a Master of Science in microbiology, studying cyanobacteria and their metabolites. My interest in microbiology began with an introductory course in second year and grew through my involvement as Co-President of the Waterloo Student and Microbiology Club, being a teaching assistant and doing my undergraduate research thesis project.

If you could relive one day from your time at Waterloo, what would it be?

Elysia Darbourne (she/her)

Faculty of Mathematics — Bachelor of Computer Science

I would choose a day where there was a bit of everything going on. I would study with friends in the morning, grab lunch and then head to play pickup soccer in the evening. I think a day like this really captures what I like the most about my time at Waterloo. There was always something to do and my friends were never far away. At the time, this day would seem so ordinary. But now I really miss it.

Next, I’m starting my career in software engineering. Waterloo, especially through co-operative education, taught me to embrace new experiences and places. I loved the experiences that came with that, but after years of moving around, I’m also excited to settle down in a place for a while.

Who had the biggest impact on your Waterloo experience?

Dakota Bacchus (he/him)

Faculty of Engineering — Bachelor of Architectural Studies

Rick Haldenby (BES ’73, BArch ’75), without question. I first met Rick in second year, and his care for students and his ability to bring history to life through storytelling stood out immediately. On the Rome term, a program he founded in 1979, the buildings we’d seen in lecture slides became places we could stand inside, and Rick made sure we knew the stories behind them.

But just as much, it was the people around me. Architecture is a cohort of about 70 students in an old mill building in Cambridge, and some of my favourite memories are late nights in studio. I also spent two years as President of the Waterloo Architecture Students Association, helping build the community that made that small school feel like home.

Next, I’m starting my Master of Architecture at Waterloo, with a thesis on how buildings quietly shape the behaviour of the people within them.

What activity, club, team or community helped you feel most at home at Waterloo?

Chloe Sullivan (she/her)

Faculty of Environment — Bachelor of Environmental Studies in Environment, Resources and Sustainability

Waterloo’s Campus Compost helped me feel most at home at Waterloo by connecting me with students across faculties who shared my interest in sustainability. The student-led club works to improve organic waste collection on campus and raise awareness about waste diversion, giving me the opportunity to make new friends while making a positive, sustainable impact.

Taking on executive roles also helped me grow my confidence. Leading meetings and events made me more comfortable presenting and contributing to discussions in the classroom. Waterloo also gave me opportunities to explore my passion for waste management and environmental education through co-op, research and other extracurriculars.

After completing two municipal waste management co-op terms, I recently started a new role as a Waste Management Program Co-ordinator with Halton Region, where I am excited to continue building on the interests and experiences I developed at Waterloo.

What experience changed the way you saw your field of study?

Sapna Tripathi (she/her)

School of Pharmacy — Doctor of Pharmacy

My connection to Waterloo began long before I became a student. When I was eight years old, I visited the School of Pharmacy during its grand opening. That experience stayed with me and sparked an interest in pharmacy that eventually brought me back to Waterloo as a student.

17 years later, crossing the convocation stage as a Waterloo pharmacy graduate feels like an incredible full-circle moment. Waterloo has also become a special part of my family’s story. Two of my brothers are Waterloo alumni and my youngest brother is currently a student here.

Looking back at photos of myself visiting the School of Pharmacy as a child and seeing where I am today reminds me how much one experience can shape the path ahead. What began as a childhood visit ultimately became the start of my own Waterloo journey.

Read more about Tripathi’s story on the School of Pharmacy website.

What is one of your fondest memories as a Waterloo student?

Ethan Rad (he/him)

Faculty of Health — Bachelor of Arts in Recreation and Leisure Studies

One of my fondest memories was studying abroad in London and Loughborough. It was a great mix of school, sports, travel and meeting new people. Visiting places like London Stadium and Wimbledon showed me that my interests in sports, travel and events could all come together.

That interest grew through experiences back at Waterloo. In the course Experience Design and Delivery, my group created an activity for people passing through the Student Life Centre, and I discovered how much I enjoyed presenting our project and connecting with people. Later, working with the 2026 Ontario Summer Games introduced me to the planning and logistics behind large events.

Together, these experiences helped me see a future where I can combine the things I enjoy most. I hope to pursue a career that allows me to work with people while staying connected to sports and event operations, travel coordination or transportation.