Tuesday, February 10, 2026

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• Co-op student gets the chance to support Canadian Olympic athletes

• The business of the Board of Governors meeting

• Embark’s major grant funds new AI-enabled learning

• Next CareNext Collective event set for February 18

Co-op student gets the chance to support Canadian Olympic athletes

By Sam Charles. This is an excerpt of an article originally published on Waterloo News.

When Canadian athletes step onto the podium at this year’s Olympics, their journey to a medal will have been supported by coaches, teammates, family, friends and support staff. Among those support staff is third-year University of Waterloo co-op student Diane Choi.

Choi, a Sport and Recreation Management student double-minoring in Human Resources and Event Management, recently started with the Canadian Olympic Committee (COC) as a marketing partnerships intern. A self-described sports fanatic, Choi grew up on the snow and ice as a figure skater, skier and hockey player. As a result, the Olympics were always a highlight at her home, with the family gathering to cheer on Team Canada.

In fact, one of her favourite Olympic memories is watching the 2018 PyeongChang Games. It was an opportunity to celebrate her Korean culture and share her love of sport with her grandparents, who aren’t fluent in English.

“Telling my grandparents about my new co-op role with the COC was also meaningful because they understood what the organization was and the significance of its global title, which makes me even prouder of my accomplishments so far.”

After a co-op work term with experiential marketing agency Playbook Co. as an account intern and two work terms on campus as the social media assistant for her department in Recreation and Leisure Studies and the sports marketing and events co-op with the Athletics Department, she was looking for a role that would enable her to continue to build her skills. That’s when she spotted a role with the COC on WaterlooWorks, the University's co-op job board, and jumped at the chance to apply.

“Since landing the job, I find myself noticing the Olympic rings everywhere I go and on social media, anticipating the Games and something I’m now part of,” Choi says. “After my co-op term, I’m confident I’ll have a different perspective on the Games and a greater sense of pride in being part of and representing Canada.”

Read the full article on Waterloo News

  The business of the Board of Governors meeting

A message from the Secretariat.

The University of Waterloo Board of Governors is comprised of 36 voting members, including external members (mayors and regional chair, community at large, and Lieutenant Governor in Council appointees) in addition to the president, faculty, staff and students. This governing body of the institution is the highest authority on corporate matters and meets regularly to discuss topics such as financial well-being, institutional reputation, university policies, building and properties, and human resource matters. 

At the February 3, 2026 meeting, the following items were approved: 

• The endorsement of the Statement and Procedures on Principles for Institutional Partnerships 

• The endorsement of the new Campus Plan 

• Tuition rates and various fees for the 2026-2027 academic year 

• Amendments to the Responsible Investment Policy  

• Amendments to the Governance & Leadership Committee Terms of Reference  

• Amendments to the Statements of Investment Policies and Procedures for the Registered Pension Plan 

• Approval of the annual Report on Cost of Educational Materials, in accordance with Bill 166, the Strengthening Accountability and Student Supports Act, 2024 

• The reappointment of Bilal Khan and Aubrey Basdeo as Community-at-large members of the Bord of Governors, for new terms to begin September 1, 2026. 

Additional updates received by the Board included:  

• Update from the President on a range of matters, including community event highlights and post-secondary education sector developments  

• Update on the 2025-2026 budget 

• Discussion of proposed guidelines for Confidential and In Camera meetings of the Board and its committees  

• An update on the ongoing Board Committee review and restructure 

• An update on undergraduate and graduate admissions 

• An update on compliance with Bill 166, the Strengthening Accountability and Student Supports Act, 2024 

Please refer to the open session Board meeting agenda package for related material and complete information. The meeting minutes form the official record of the meeting, and will be available following approval at the Board’s next meeting on April 14, 2026. 

Embark’s major grant funds new AI-enabled learning

By Matthew King.

The University of Waterloo received a $500,000 Major Grant from Embark to launch a three-year program called AI-Enabled Learners.

The pilot program combines artificial intelligence literacy with real-world work-integrated learning (WIL) experiences. Led by Waterloo’s Co-operative and Experiential Education (CEE) unit, the initiative will equip students with practical, career-relevant AI skills.

“AI is shaping how students think about their careers, regardless of discipline,” said Andrea Prier, director of the Centre for Work-Integrated Learning. “This program brings AI into work-integrated experiences earlier and more intentionally, so students don’t just learn about AI—they practice using it, build real examples for their résumé and learn how to articulate what they did and the impact they made. We are opening doors to new possibilities and helping every learner see themselves as capable contributors in a changing world.”

Students will take part in projects that address real organizational challenges across campus.

Tackling barriers in AI-learning

Students from non-technical programs, those early in their studies and equity-deserving groups, often have fewer opportunities to build applied AI experience, despite the growth of employer needs for these skills. Many community organizations recognize AI’s importance but do not have the technical expertise, resources or capacity to experiment responsibly.

AI-Enabled Learners is designed to address these challenges.

The program integrates two components: AI foundations and AI in practice. Applied AI for future-focused professionals is a short, self-paced micro-course that builds core AI literacy in 10 hours. The course is accessible regardless of academic background or prior technical experience. Its high value covers key concepts, ethical use and tool fluency. The course’s flexible learning options allow students to tailor their experience to their interests and prior knowledge. Upon completion, students earn a Waterloo certificate of participation to share with employers.

Read more about the grant on the Centre for WIL website.

Next CareNext Collective event set for February 18

The next Manulife presents CareNext Collective event will take place on Wednesday, February 18 from 12 noon to 1:00 p.m. The event is entitled “Virtual-First, Human-First: Reimagining Primary Care Through Innovation.”

“Primary care sits at the foundation of the health system — yet it is often the hardest place to innovate,” says a note from organizers. “Join Dr. Naik as he shares how his clinic has evolved into a living lab for primary care innovation, built around a virtual-first, patient-centered model that treats technology as an enabler rather than a barrier.”

The event will be moderated by Danina Kapetanovic.

Attendees will learn how clinical care, organizational design, data quality, workforce roles, and policy constraints intersect, and why meaningful technological innovation is impossible without parallel social and organizational innovation.

Register now.