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Jagdeep Singh Bachher named the University's 12th Chancellor
The University of Waterloo has named Jagdeep Singh Bachher as its 12th chancellor.
Dr. Bachher is chief investment officer and vice president of investments at the 10-campus University of California, where he oversees an investment portfolio of $164 billion. He is a triple alumnus of Waterloo, having earned a Bachelor of Applied Science, Mechanical Engineering in 1993, a Master of Applied Science, Management Sciences in 1994, and a Doctor of Philosophy in Management Sciences in 2000.
“Jagdeep exemplifies the type of dynamic leader that the University of Waterloo develops: a champion of curiosity, exploration, risk-taking, entrepreneurship, global stewardship, and leadership,” said Vivek Goel, president and vice chancellor in an email circulated to employees this morning. “At the University of California, he fosters the same values that Waterloo extolls, including a commitment to sustainable investing and a dedication to equity, diversity and inclusion.”
Bachher often acclaims Waterloo’s pioneering co-op program for having changed his life. “My passion for education and its power to transform lives comes directly from my parents, both of whom have been teachers, in India, Africa, and in Waterloo, for more than 60 years,” he said. “It’s because of them that I enrolled at Waterloo when I was 15, having just arrived with my family from Nigeria, where I was born. I’m humbled by this great honor and privilege of becoming chancellor at Waterloo, which has given me so much.”
The outlines of Bachher’s story are familiar to many of Waterloo’s diverse student body. He is proud of his Sikh culture and immigrant journey, a committed “Waterloo Warrior” who has been a steadfast supporter of the University and its mission for more than three decades. He has served on Waterloo’s Board of Governors since 2018, including as its vice chair since 2020. In his new role as chancellor, which is ceremonial, he will preside over convocation ceremonies, conferring degrees, diplomas, and certificates on graduating students. Waterloo’s chancellor also serves as a leading ambassador for the University.
The University’s Senate elected Bachher to a three-year term that begins on July 1, 2024. He will succeed Dominic Barton, chair of Rio Tinto and chair of LeapFrog Investments.
Celebrating the Class of 2023
This is an excerpt of an article originally published on Waterloo News.
The buzz of pride and celebration was palpable across campus over the past few days as convocation ceremonies took place. Convocation season is always special because it’s the one time when family, friends, faculty and staff all come together to celebrate the hard work and achievements of Waterloo students.
The 127th convocation was not only a celebration — it was also a coming together by many members of our community to make the ceremonies and events memorable for graduating students. Making the Fall 2023 Convocation a success were ambassadors, ushers, wayfinders and accessibility assistants, comprised of 74 staff volunteers and 118 students, who served thousands of Waterloo graduates and their families.
“This past weekend, we had the privilege of meeting and hearing from many of Waterloo’s newest batch of graduates. I feel a great sense of pride and hope for our future, knowing that as the world continues to face multiple crises, these new Waterloo graduates will join those before them as leaders and change-makers to address these challenges,” said Vivek Goel, president and vice-chancellor.
A memorable celebration
As 1,320 undergraduates, 1,061 master's and 153 PhD students graduated along with three honorary doctorate recipients, we share some of the memorable moments from Fall 2023 Convocation.
Inspiring words
Dr. Margaret Mutumba (PhD ’23) took the stage to address the faculties of Health and Science and shared words of support and encouragement. An entrepreneur and global health innovator, Mutumba is the founder MedAtlas, a digital health company that connects patients to specialist care across Africa.
"In these unprecedented, volatile and uncertain times, we need more people that are willing to try what they have never tried before, face up to novel challenges and opportunities, speaking up in times of adversity and daring to do things differently." said Mutumba.
"Take in this moment, hold on to it and carry it with you into the world. When doubt and uncertainty try to weigh you down, pause and come back to this moment and remember, this day. You did it once, you can do it again. You did it here, at Waterloo! So, you will do it out there too! Yes?"
Read the rest of the article on Waterloo News
Personalize your Program Hoodie at W Store
A message from Print + Retail Solutions.
Create your unique program hoodie based on your personal UWaterloo experience. This custom program hoodie allows you to personalize it with your choice of program embroidered on the front chest and the option to customize the left sleeve with your name.
You can find the hoodie at wstore.ca. Select your program from the scroll-down menu of options by faculty. If you do not see your program, please contact wstore@uwaterloo.ca to submit a request, which is subject to approval based on the University’s brand guidelines.
All custom orders are final sale. No refunds or exchanges are permitted due to the customized nature of the product. Orders can not be altered after the order window has closed on November 1 and turnaround time is approximately eight weeks after the ordering window has ended.
Statistical Consulting and Survey Research Unit holding webinar next week
A message from the Statistical Consulting and Survey Research Unit.
The Statistical Consulting and Survey Research Unit (formerly known as the Survey Research Centre) is part of the Department of Statistics and Actuarial Science at the University of Waterloo. Our team offers faculty, staff, and students a free 1-hour consultation to aid in survey question design in order to improve the validity of collected data and reduce bias.
Upcoming campus event
We will be hosting an American Association for Public Opinion Research (AAPOR) webinar titled, “Nonprobability Online Samples: Promises and Pitfalls” presented by Carina Cornesse and Olga Maslovskaya on Wednesday, November 1, 2023 from 1:00pm to 2:00pm in M3-3001. Please remember to add the event to your calendar.
For further queries
If you have any questions or require more information about a consultation or project request, please contact Tony Ly at t22ly@uwaterloo.ca or 519-888-4567 ext. 35071. For general inquiries, please contact Brandon Yong at brandon.yong@uwaterloo.ca or 519-888-4567 ext. 36689.
Quantum Quest Seed Fund open for applications; organ donor awareness event; other notes
"Transformative Quantum Technologies (TQT) is excited to announce that the 12th round of the Quantum Quest Seed Fund (QQSF) is now open," says an announcement from TQT. "This fund is intended to develop new ideas and applications for quantum devices. This opportunity is open to all tenure-track faculty at the University of Waterloo. Proposals that address important societal needs in health and the environment will be viewed favourably. Proposals are encouraged that articulate the use of quantum properties in existing systems including superposition, tunneling, entanglement in applications, and the development of new systems that display quantum properties. The QQSF provides funding in the amount of up to $50,000 per year for a two-year period."
For any questions regarding the fund, please contact tqt@uwaterloo.ca. The application deadline is Wednesday, November 15 at 5:00 p.m.
"Are you interested in being an organ donor, or want to learn more about it?" asks the Faculty of Health. "Come to the Expansion Foyer and meet Kinesiology alumnus Eric Celentano (BSc '79, Alumni Council) to hear his inspirational story of being a double lung transplant recipient, and learn how you can register to give the Gift of Life!"
During an x-ray for tendonitis, Celentano was diagnosed with an incurable rare fibrosis that was progressively hardening his lungs like cement, and would eventually kill him. The only way to save his life was to undergo the major operation of a double-lung transplant. In 2018, Eric was given this chance, thanks to an organ donor and their family, and created long-lasting friendships along the way.
This event is free and no registration is required to attend. Join the Faculty of Health On Thursday, October 26 from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. to learn more and be entered to win prizes.
The AgeTech: Innovation Challenge application deadline is approaching on Wednesday, October 25 at 9:00 a.m. "$15,000 up for grabs!" says an announcement from Velocity. "Three teams will be awarded $5,000 each." The AgeTech Innovation Challenge is presented by Velocity and Centre for Aging + Brain Health Innovation (Powered by Baycrest). "From October 30 to November 10, students from the University of Waterloo will work in teams to develop innovative solutions that will improve quality of life for the world’s aging population."