Monday, February 5, 2024


Ming Li receives 2024 IEEE Computer Society W. Wallace McDowell Award

University Professor Ming Li.

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

University Professor Ming Li is the 2024 recipient of the IEEE Computer Society W. Wallace McDowell Award, a prestigious honour conferred for his pioneering and enduring contributions to modern information theory and bioinformatics.

Named after W. Wallace McDowell, director of engineering at IBM during the development of the landmark IBM 701 computer, the award has been conferred annually since 1966 by the IEEE Computer Society for outstanding theoretical, design, educational, practical, or other innovative contributions.

“Congratulations to Ming on receiving the 2024 Wallace McDowell Award,” said Raouf Boutaba, Professor and Director of the Cheriton School of Computer Science. “This recognition is richly deserved. Ming has not only been a pioneer in Kolmogorov complexity and in doing so has laid the foundation for a modern information theory, but he is also an innovator in computational biology by applying machine learning to develop personalized immunotherapies to treat cancer and infectious diseases.”

About University Professor Ming Li

University Professor Li completed his PhD at Cornell University in 1985, followed by a postdoctoral fellowship at Harvard. In 1989 he joined the University of Waterloo as an Associate Professor in what was then the Department of Computer Science, and was promoted to Full Professor in 1994. He was named the Canada Research Chair in Bioinformatics, a prestigious position he has held continuously since 2002. In 2009 he was named a University Professor, a title conferred to University of Waterloo faculty to recognize exceptional scholarly achievement and international pre-eminence.

Read the full article on the School of Computer Science website.

Faculty of Mathematics launches Equity and Inclusive Communities Principles

Group photo of Robin Jones-Stadelbauer, Jean Becker, Mark Giesbrecht and Jeremy Steffler

A message from the Faculty of Mathematics.

“It is always a difficult balance to strike,” said Mark Giesbrecht, dean of the Faculty of Mathematics, “between reflecting what we believe, and defining actional things we can go forward with and actually apply in our everyday life.”

Giesbrecht was welcoming participants to the January 31 launch of the Equity and Inclusive Communities Principles, a new set of eleven principles developed over the last two years for the Faculty of Mathematics by a committee of eighteen faculty, staff, and students, including members from the Office of Indigenous Relations and the Centre for Teaching Excellence’s Indigenous Knowledges and Anti-Racist Pedagogies Unit. This work was also supported by Waterloo’s Equity, Diversity, Inclusion & Anti-Racism office.

The principles were particularly designed to be accessible to people regardless of where they were on their journey, explains Jeremy Steffler, the Faculty of Mathematics’ Equity Officer and leader of the project.

“One of the great understandings gained through this process was an appreciation of the sense of connection and the degree of reciprocity the Faculty of Mathematics has with many communities,” Steffler says. “While the Principles are intended to guide our efforts toward greater equity and inclusion, the Faculty is part of a university and other external communities, and many diverse communities exist within the Faculty. Choosing to acknowledge ‘communities’ right in the name helps frame our intentions to be thinking in a more holistic way.”

Read the full article on the Faculty of Mathematics website.

Test of the University's emergency communications system

What is happening? We will be testing the University’s campus-wide emergency communication system.

When is this happening? Wednesday, February 7 at 1:30 p.m.

What is the impact? Emergency communication channels being tested include:

  • Tweets to @UWaterloo and @WatSAFEapp
  • WatSAFE mobile app
  • The ‘WatSAFE Desktop Notification’ on-screen pop-up for desktops and laptops
  • Portal alerts and push notifications

Messaging: The message displayed will read “TEST of the UW Emergency Notification System. During an actual emergency or threat you would receive instructions. No action is required.” More information regarding the emergency would be available at alert.uwaterloo.ca.

Approximately 15 minutes after the test activation message is sent, a deactivation message will display, “The test of the UW Emergency Notification System is complete.

In the event of a real emergency during this test, please contact Police Services at 519-888-4911, or ext. 22222.

Be sure to install the WatSAFE app on your device and WatSAFE Desktop Notification tool on your desktop/laptop to receive this test message, and more importantly, to stay informed of campus emergency situations. Visit the WatSAFE website for more details.

Questions or concerns? Please contact the IST Service Desk via the IST Help Portal.

Summary of the January 29, 2024 Meeting of Senate

A message from the Secretariat.

The University of Waterloo Senate is comprised of faculty, undergraduate and graduate students, alumni, governors, and administrative staff who are both elected and ex-officio members. This governing body of the institution is the highest authority on academic matters and meets regularly to discuss topics such as academic programs, educational policies, appointments, and other academic priorities.

At the January 29, 2024 meeting, the following items were approved:

  • Major program modifications:
    • New specialization plans in quantum engineering, nanotechnology engineering, and planning
    • Inactivation of the Global Experience Certificate
  • Revisions to the Institutional Quality Assurance Process (IQAP)
  • Dissolution of the Survey Research Centre
  • Revisions to Policy 76 – Faculty Appointments and to Policy 77 – Tenure and Promotion of Faculty Members, with a recommendation to the Board of Governors to give final approval to said revisions
  • Approval of several individuals as candidates to receive the honorary titles Distinguished Professor Emeritus/a, as well as Honorary Member of the University
  • Revisions to academic regulations:
    • Academic accommodations regarding self-declaration of short-term illness
    • Invalid credit combinations in certain diploma programs
    • Co-op plan requirements and repeat course rule, both within the Faculty of Environment

Additionally, Senate received updates for information:

  • 2023 annual report of the Office of Vice-President, Research and International
  • Faculty update presentation – Environment
  • Undergraduate and graduate admissions data, with projections for Fall 2024
  • Report from the University Committee on Student Appeals re: data on academic offences in the September 2022-August 2023 period

For more information

Visit the Senate website to find the meeting agenda and related materials for all recent Senate meetings, as well as dates for upcoming meetings. The Secretariat will make Zoom links available to those wishing to attend meetings virtually.

If you have any questions, please contact the Secretariat at senate@uwaterloo.ca.

Mirrorless Monday today and other notes

A university washroom mirror covered with inspirational messages.The 5th annual "Mirrorless Monday" campaign  is happening in washrooms across the University campus today. Mirrorless  Monday is a movement to encourage body acceptance through various messages on mirrors and a campaign that  seeks to remind everyone that their self-worth is not tied to a reflection in a mirror. 

During the one-day campaign,  select washroom mirrors across campus will be partly covered  with supportive messages and resources including Campus Wellness, Counselling Services, MATES, Good2Talk, and NEDIC. The messages will be placed on the mirrors at the beginning of the day and removed by 10:00 a.m. the following day. The Mirrorless Monday messages will be shared on the @uwaterloolife Instagram account.

It's election season for the Waterloo Undergraduate Student Association (WUSA), as candidates vie for Board of Director and executive positions. Candidate Booth Days will be taking place today in the SLC Marketplace and will run on February 7 and 8 in the SLC Marketplace from 10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. The election will be held from February 12 to 14.

Register for "Antagonistic Responses to Health Research in the Academy"

Registration for the next event in the Antagonism and Intimidation in Academia Speaker Series is now open. Antagonistic Responses to Health Research in the Academy will take place on Tuesday, February 27 from 3:00 p.m. to 5:10 p.m. in the Humanities Theatre (Hagey Hall 159). This event is open to all faculty, staff and students.

Link of the day

"All righty then!" Ace Ventura: Pet Detective at 30

When and Where

Warriors Game Day Tickets: Season Passes, Black and Gold Alumni Passes and Single Game Tickets now available for the 2023-24 varsity season. Purchase your tickets today!

Waterloo Warriors Youth Camps. Winter, March Break and PD Day camps available for boys and girls ages 5-18. Baseball, Basketball, Football and Multi-Sport and Games camps available. Register today!

Warriors Youth Summer Camps. Registration opens Monday, January 22, 9:00 a.m. Find out more.

NATO DIANA and IDeAS information webinar with Philippe Hébert, Monday, February 5, 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. Please register to receive the event link (for faculty members and staff).

Equitable Recruitment and Selection, Monday, February 5, 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m., online.

Startup 101: Incubators and Accelerators – The Good, The Bad and The Ugly, Monday, February 5, 5:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., EIT 1015.

WaterLeadership: Sharing Science: Clear Language Writing, Tuesday, February 6, 12 noon to 1:30 p.m.

You Don't Know What You Don't Know | Part 2, Tuesday, February 6, 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Board of Governors meeting, Tuesday, February 6, 1:30 p.m., NH 3407 and Zoom.

GRADflix Showcase, Tuesday, February 6, 3:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m., Federation Hall.

Waterloo Region Police Service youth violence connector event and information session, Wednesday, February 7, 10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., SLC Black and Gold Room.

WISE Public Lecture, “Diesel reduction with solar PV in the far North” by Klaus Dohring (President of Green Sun Rising, Inc.), Wednesday, February 7, 2:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m., EIT Third floor 3142., In-person & on Zoom. Register today.

FASS 2024 presents “Good Company,” Thursday, February 8 and Friday, February 9, 7:00 p.m., matinee Saturday, February 10, 2:00 p.m., KW Little Theatre, UpTown Waterloo. Tickets are $15 until January 31, $20 after.

Redox catalysis strategies for complex molecules, on Wednesday, February 7, 2024 at 10:30am in MC 4058. Featuring Dr. Corey Stephenson, Professor of Chemistry at University of Michigan and 2024 Canada Excellence Research Chair at UBC.

Indigenous Speakers Series presents Chelsea Vowel, Thursday, February 8, 3:00 p.m. to 4:20 p.m., Theatre of the Arts, Modern Languages.

Better data, better decisions and healthier Canadians with Brent Diverty, Thursday, February 8, 11:00 a.m. to 12 noon, EC5-1111. Register now.

Map the System Stakeholder Engagement Session, Friday, February 9, 12 noon to 1:00 p.m, UTD 164.

Warriors Men's Hockey vs. Western, Friday, February 9, 7:00 p.m., CIF Arena. Senior Day, Employee Day. Buy your tickets today! 

Fantastic Alumni, Staff, Faculty and Retiree Day 2024, Saturday, February 10, 3:00 p.m., Physical Activities Complex.

Master of Taxation, Virtual Information SessionSaturday, February 10, 2024, at 9 a.m. Learn more about the MTax advantage.

Ontario Summit for Students with Disabilities, Saturday February 10, 9:30 a.m. Free to attend for all postsecondary students. 

Warriors Basketball vs. McMaster, Saturday, February 10, women's game 6:00 p.m., men's game 8:00 p.m., PAC. Fantastic Alumni, Faculty, Staff and Retirees Day, trust and Reconciliation Ceremony, (M) Senior Day. Buy your tickets today.

University Club Valentine’s Special Menu, Monday, February 12 to Friday, February 16. Make a reservation today.

Startup 101: Founder Communication: Beyond Pitching, Monday, February 12, 5:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., EIT 1015.

Inspiring Black Flourishing in Waterloo Region and beyond, Tuesday, February 13, 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., Kitchener Public Library, 85 Queen Street North, Kitchener.

Black History Month panel, "Building a Career Path for Black Talent," Thursday, February 15, 12 noon to 1:00 p.m., Zoom. Register today.

NEW - Warriors Basketball vs. U of T, Saturday, February 17, women’s game 6:00 p.m., men’s game 8:00 p.m., Physical Activities Complex. (W) Senior Night. Buy your tickets today!

Family Day with the Warriors, Monday, February 19, 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. CIF. Football, baseball, basketball, ice skating and more. Join us for a morning of FREE family fun! Register online in advance.