Friday, November 5, 2021

Vic DiCiccio named interim AVP Enterprise Engagement

Professor Vic DiCiccio has been named interim Associate Vice-President, Enterprise Engagement as part of the University's efforts to expand its efforts in lifelong learning and professional education to support the workforce of the future.

DiCiccio's appointment, announced in a memo from Professor Charmaine Dean, vice-president, research and innovation earlier this week, comes about in light of the partial secondment of Sanjeev Gill, associate vice-president, innovation, to WatSPEED, which has been in effect since April 2020.

"As his work in WatSPEED will continue to be a priority for the institution and will require his full attention for another year, we are now appointing an Interim Associate Vice-President to assume other innovation portfolio responsibilities, those related to corporate and not-for-profit partnerships, as well as associated legal and research security functions," writes Dean. "These are functions related to the area of enterprise engagement."

"In his new role as Interim Associate Vice-President, Enterprise Engagement, Vic DiCiccio will increase the opportunities for UWaterloo’s external engagements with industry, alliances, not-for-profits and governments to accelerate our research and its impact, Dean's memo continues. "He has always worked closely with the Office of Research, and I look forward to his leadership in this strategically important role."

Vic DiCiccio is an Honorary Member of the University. As the previous Director of the Institute for Computer Research, he fostered large scale interactions for UWaterloo researchers with organizations, companies and research networks, aiding knowledge mobilization and supporting industry collaboration and development.

DiCiccio's appointment went into effect on November 1 and is expected to last for 10 months.

"I would like to take this opportunity to thank various members of the Office of Research, particularly Catherine Burns, for her support to my office, over the last 18 months, of the portfolio of duties that Vic DiCiccio will assume," Dean's memo concludes.

Earth Sciences Museum launches virtual tours

A message from the Earth Sciences Museum.

The Earth Sciences Museum is excited to announce the launch of our newest project, a virtual tour of the museum.

Our new tour allows users to explore various areas of the Earth Sciences Museum and Peter Russell Rock Garden, and access spaces that are not open to the public during a normal museum tour, including a minerology teaching laboratory and research spaces.

Step (virtually) right into the mining tunnel office, immerse yourself in the dinosaur pit, explore a teaching lab and hear stories from mineral collectors, and visit the metal isotope and geochemistry research laboratory to learn about research and scientific instruments from Brian Kendall and Chris Yakymchuk, professors in the Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences.

Each area is filled with a variety of clickable facts, photos and recordings from experts to facilitate learning, self-guided discovery, and allow people to see the museum collection and exhibits in unique new ways.

The virtual tour was created by the Earth Sciences Museum in collaboration with students from the Knowledge Integration program. Special thanks goes to Professors Brian Kendall, Chris Yakymchuk and John Spoelstra and the friends and supporters of the Museum who were involved in making this project a reality!

Explore the virtual tour of the Earth Sciences Museum yourself.

Reflections on Treaties Recognition Week at Waterloo

By Joy Braga, Indigenous Relations communications and engagement assistant.

Today marks the last day of Treaties Recognition Week 2021. The Office of Indigenous Relations would like to thank everyone who attended the events that took place this week and dedicated time to learn more about the significance of treaty rights, relationships, and their relevance today.

Treaties are a foundational part of Canadian society. All people, both Indigenous and non-Indigenous, have treaty rights and responsibilities. We are all treaty people. These agreements provide a foundation for living together and sharing the land that Indigenous Peoples traditionally occupied. They also lay the groundwork for continued cooperation and partnership as we move forward together to advance reconciliation in Canada.

To achieve lasting reconciliation with First Nations, Inuit, and Métis peoples, it is key that we honour the treaty relationship and negotiate new treaties based on the recognition of rights, respect, cooperation, and partnership.

Although the week is over, it is important to remember that treaties are more than events and they are relevant every week of the year, not only during the first week of November. The Office of Indigenous Relations encourages all members of the Waterloo campus community and beyond to continue learning about the land we live and work on, and the importance of treaty rights and relationships. To support you in your learning journey, the Office of Indigenous Relations prepared an Information and Resource Guide for Treaties Recognition Week 2021 (PDF).

Treaties Recognition Week in review

This year, the Office of Indigenous Relations launched a new Knowledge Guide Series, focused on Phil Monture’s lecture, Treaties from a First Nation Perspective. There are five parts to this series, each containing a Knowledge Guide and video clip that explores the historical and ongoing significance of treaties, particularly the Haldimand Treaty.

On Wednesday, November 3, there was an Opening Ceremony and Fire for the Bridge: Honouring Lives of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls, and Two Spirit People. The Bridge is an annual installation for 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence at the University of Waterloo. The installation is a space for all University community members to learn about the crisis as they reflect upon their responsibilities, write a name on red fabric, and tie it to the bridge between Environment 3 and St. Paul's University College. This year, orange fabric was included with the red in remembrance of the lives of the children and youth who perished at the hands of institutional violence at residential schools. Everyone is welcome to participate in the Bridge’s closing ceremony on Friday, November 19 at 1:00 pm. Learn more about The Bridge Installation.

The Office of Indigenous Relations also hosted a free, virtual community screening of the acclaimed film, Trick or Treaty?, directed by Alanis Obomsawin. This screening was followed by a discussion with Robin Stadelbauer, Indigenous Relations Coordinator and Professor Susan Roy. The film focuses on Treaty No. 9 and the often-contradictory interpretations of treaties between First Nations and the Crown, powerfully portraying one community’s attempts to enforce their treaty rights and protect their lands. Learn more about the film Trick or Treaty? and director, Alanis Obomsawin.

For more information about these events and others hosted by Ontario’s Ministry of Indigenous Affairs, visit the Treaties Recognition Week webpage.

Water Institute launches 2020-21 Impact Report

A message from the Water Institute.

The Water Institute is pleased to release its 2020-21 Impact Report, a reflection on how its members have made an impact in the past year addressing some of the world's most pressing water challenges.

This year’s publication, available in an interactive digital format, provides a sample of their innovative, interdisciplinary and international accomplishments.

The Water Institute’s mission is to facilitate collaboration, support excellence, and promote innovation in interdisciplinary water research and education. The Water Institute is ranked among the world’s top academic water research organizations.

Browse the interactive report here.

Waterloo-founded company floats on $37-million in financing

By Jon Parsons. This article was originally featured on Waterloo News.

A company founded by two University of Waterloo graduates is on track to become a giant in the Canadian B2B credit card market.

Float, which was co-founded by Cheriton School of Computer Science alums Griffin Keglevich and Ruslan Nikolaev, recently brought in a whopping $37 million CAD in new investments.

The company was created out of work the two former students did with the University of Waterloo’s startup incubator, Velocity.

“Float has shown tremendous growth since their time at the Velocity incubator and this new round of investment puts them on the path to join other Canadian unicorns in a few years,” said Adrien Côté, Velocity’s executive director.

“Often with start-ups, it comes down to a team committed to finding the right opportunity and we're honoured that Velocity could support the Float team as they found their early path to success.”

Along with their technical know-how and programming skills, Keglevich and Ruslan completed a double degree program, pairing computer science at Waterloo with business at neighbouring Wilfrid Laurier’s Lazaridis School.

Float has not disclosed any overall valuation, but with ongoing interest and investments from major players in the financial-tech sector it is expected the company is on the cusp of massive growth. The company was founded in 2019 and only six months ago was looking for seed funding.

Large investments at this stage are often seen as a key indicator of potential.

The company’s third co-founder and current CEO, Rob Khazzam, who joined Float in March 2021, brings a wealth of experience in business and finance, having previously worked for Uber and various venture capital advisory firms.

The products and services Float offers include an all-in-one corporate credit card and spending management solution for Canadian businesses. The basic products are a derivative of more-typical credit cards, but with services specially suited to the needs of businesses.

A company could get a credit card for one of its employees for just one business trip, for example, or for just one type of purchase, or a common account for a whole department.

Float also offers services to approve, manage, track and report spending through integrated applications and software. The adaptability and easy integration of its services for businesses are key characteristics of the company’s offerings.