Monday, April 11, 2022

Organizational changes coming to finance and administration portfolio

As previously announced, Vice-President, Administration and Finance Dennis Huber will retire at the end of 2022, and a search process has begun to find his successor, who will be named Vice-President, Finance and Administration (VPFA). 

The VPFA role will provide leadership in the development and implementation of long-term plans and transformational change to move the University ahead and enhance organizational results. 

President Vivek Goel recently circulated a memorandum to the University’s senior leadership outlining how the leadership transition presents an opportunity to reorganize the senior administrative structure at Waterloo. 

“Over several decades, the institution has grown in size and complexity across multiple units,” President Goel writes. “We want to bring together some core operational functions to realize synergies between them and better support the faculties and other academic support units.” 

As part of its work, the VPFA Committee has reviewed the structures of comparative U15 institutions and has recommended that Human Resources (HR) and Information Systems and Technology (IST) report directly to the new Vice-President, Finance and Administration.  

Currently, these units report to the Vice-President, Academic & Provost. 

“These changes will take effect upon the hiring of the VPFA,” President Goel writes. “This will provide the Vice-President Academic & Provost (VPAP) the ability to focus more efforts on leading academic initiatives in support of the strategic plan.” 

Currently, the academic support units reporting to the Vice-President, Administration and Finance include Central Stores and Procurement and Contract Services, Finance, Plant Operations, and the David Johnston Research + Technology Park. Units currently reporting to the Vice-President, Academic & Provost include Information Systems & Technology, the Library, the Registrar’s Office, Human Resources, Institutional Analysis and Planning, Co-operative and Experiential Education, to name just a few, as well as all six Faculty deans and an array of Associate Provosts and Associate Vice-Presidents. 

“The VPAP will continue to lead on development and implementation of academic strategies and work with the VPFA on operational priorities to support the academic mission,” the president’s memo continues. For example, the VPAP and senior academic leadership will continue to drive IT governance. The Office of VPAP will also remain responsible for faculty relations and academic human resources.   

“The VPFA will be responsible for the efficient and timely implementation of these activities,” the president writes.  

Employees in both units have been advised of the upcoming change.

Waterloo's continued response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine

Along with higher education institutions around the world, the University of Waterloo is making efforts to continue responding in the wake of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. The University stands in solidarity with the innocent victims of this invasion and supports both those in our Waterloo community and around the world who have been affected.

Waterloo International, along with academic support units are coordinating efforts to ensure a good foundation of support is in place for students, staff and faculty experiencing grief and trauma as a result of the invasion. In addition to financial and immigration advising support, wellness support continues to be readily available.  A full resource list and the most up-to-date information is available on the Ukraine response page on the Waterloo International website. 

The University is also paying close attention to national developments, such as the new temporary residence pathway to welcome those fleeing the war in Ukraine. This will allow us to direct people to supports outside the university where necessary. We are also engaging with our sector associations, such as Universities Canada and Canadian Bureau for International Education, to share and receive information.

In addition, we acknowledge the devastation created by the invasion and are seeking to take actions that support students and universities in Ukraine and surrounding areas, including waiving the usual application deadline for prospective students, collecting offers of academic assistance and seeking out ways to support Ukraine-based university studies.

The University of Waterloo is in the process of joining Scholars at Risk – the global association of higher education institutions protecting scholars worldwide and supporting and assisting the higher education community affected by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Further details will be shared with the Waterloo community later this month.

Finally, we are prioritizing ways in which our community as a whole can promote learning in light of the invasion. We encourage teaching activities, programs and opportunities on campus to advance understanding about the invasion. We will continue highlighting research and expertise from our on-campus experts, through media outlets, central channels and our podcast.

Five Waterloo programs rank in the top 50 globally

By Melanie Scott. This article was originally published on Waterloo News.

The University of Waterloo ranked in 29 of 51 featured subject areas in the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2022, released on April 6. In the report, QS evaluated and ranked approximately 1,543 universities in 51 disciplines, grouped into five broad subject areas. Indicators for the subject rankings were drawn from a peer review survey, employer survey and citations data.

“Our high performance in key subject areas reflects the fact that Waterloo is built on a foundation of academic excellence. We are committed to offering students an education that allows them to make a resounding impact in the world,” says James Rush, vice-president academic & provost. “Waterloo’s place on the global and national scale is due to the incredible dedication of everyone who considers themselves a part of the Waterloo community.”

Waterloo’s results generally held steady from last year, with five subjects in the top 50 (up three) and 12 subjects in the top 100 (down three). The University also placed among the top 5 Canadian institutions in 13 subjects.

Subjects ranked in top 50:

• Computer Science (25th) 
• Electrical & Electronic Engineering (33rd)
• Mathematics (41st) 
• Anatomy & Physiology (48th)
• Mechanical Engineering (49th)

Subjects ranked 51-100:

• Chemical Engineering
• Civil Engineering
• Environmental Sciences
• Material Sciences
• Physics & Astronomy
• Hospitality & Leisure Management Studies
• Statistics & Operational Research

Subjects ranked 101-200:

• Architecture/Built Environment
• Philosophy 
• Psychology
• Chemistry
• Earth & Marine Sciences
• Geography
• Geology
• Geophysics
• Accounting and Finance
• Sports-related subjects

In addition to the subject area rankings, the report also includes broad subject area rankings. Waterloo has two broad subject areas in the top 100 and the University’s rank in Life Sciences & Medicine rose from 366 to 358. The next QS World University Rankings, in which Waterloo placed in the top 150 last year, will be released in the fall.

Quantum Perspectives event and other notes

The Institute for Quantum Computing (IQC) is hosting a virtual panel discussion on Thursday, April 14 entitled "Quantum Perspectives: Sensing."

"Quantum sensors allow us to measure with incredible accuracy, precision and selectivity," says a note from IQC. "Future quantum devices that achieve these ultimate sensing qualities by harnessing the complexities of atoms, photons and semiconductors will play a critical role in improving applications such as medical technology, radar, geological exploration, molecular imaging and more. Join this panel discussion with with leading experts who are pushing boundaries to develop new sensing technologies based on quantum mechanics."

Panelists include:

• Kostadinka Bizheva, Professor, Department of Physics & Astronomy;
• Michael Reimer, Assistant Professor, IQC, Department of Electrical & Computer Engineering; and 
• Troy Borneman, Senior Scientist, High Q Technologies.

Quantum Perspectives: A Panel Series celebrates 20 years of quantum at IQC. "Over the past two decades, IQC’s leading quantum research has powered the development of transformative technologies, from ideas to commercialization, through research in theory, experiment and quantumapplications," says the note from IQC. "This year, we’re celebrating IQC’s 20^th anniversary with a panel series exploring all perspectives of quantum, including sensing, materials, communication, simulation and computing."

The event takes place on YouTube Live at 12 noon Thursday. Check out the IQC website for more information.

The Department of Athletics and Recreation is hosting Warriors Youth Summer Day Camps from July 4 to September 2.

The camps are open to boys and girls age 5 to 18 and include baseball, basketball, football, hockey, multi-sport and games, and volleyball. Register today.