Wednesday, February 21, 2024

Global Futures: Training the tech talent of the future

This is part of a series of Global Futures innovation impact stories.

Co.Lab founders Helen Huang (BSc ‘17) and Sefunmi Osinaike (BASc ‘17) found their feet in Waterloo’s co-op program — and having since been named to the prestigious Forbes’ 30 Under 30 list, their entrepreneurial star power is on the rise as they use their co-op experiences to train future talent. 

“The passion for what we’re working on now really came from my experience struggling to get into tech and having the right credentials to prove I was a fit,” says Huang.

Their company is a hands-on digital training and mentorship program for people from all walks of life who want to break into tech.

Read how Co.Lab co-founders draw on their co-op experiences to build a Forbes recognized global business

Antagonism and Intimidation in the Academy speaker series event coming up on February 27

There is still time to register for the third panel discussion in the Antagonism and Intimidation in Academia Speaker Series.

Antagonistic Responses to Health Research in the Academy takes place on Tuesday, February 27, from 3:00 p.m. to 4:25 p.m. in the Humanities Theatre and online. A reception will follow from 4:30 p.m. to 5:10 p.m. just outside the theatre.

Panel participants include:

• Dr. Geoff Bardwell, Assistant Professor in the School of Public Health Sciences in the Faculty of Health;
• Dr. Lisbeth Berbary, Associate Professor in Leisure Studies in the Faculty of Health;
• Dr. Kimberly Lopez , Assistant Professor in the Department of Recreation and Leisure Studies in the Faculty of Health; and
• Dr. Nancy Waite, Professor and Associate Director Clinical Education in the School of Pharmacy in the Faculty of Science.

Moderating the discussion will be Dr. Sherry Dupuis, Professor and University Research Chair, Recreation and Leisure Studies, Faculty of Health 

Lead Organizer and Chair of the series is Dr. Suzan  Ilcan, Professor and University Research Chair, Sociology and Legal Studies in the Faculty of Arts.

Register now.

PhD candidates sought to teach Wicked Problem of Climate Change course

A message from the Office of the Associate Vice-President, Academic.

As part of the University’s strategic plans to develop talent for a complex world and focus on interdisciplinary scholarship, a team of PhD candidates will come together in the spring 2024 term to re-design and co-teach a course related to contemporary Wicked Problems. The course will be offered to upper-year undergraduate students from across the University to create a community of scholars, sharing different perspectives from the PhD candidate instructors and the learners in the classroom.

After its inaugural offering in Winter 2023, the second iteration of the Wicked Problem of Climate Change course will be offered this coming Fall 2024.

We know there are brilliant doctoral researchers across the University who are immersed in studying climate change from interdisciplinary perspectives, addressing research on a policy, environmental, scientific, technological, or health perspective, among others. Many of these researchers may also welcome the opportunity to be part of an interdisciplinary teaching team that will provide undergraduate students with a classroom experience where the academic content spans disciplinary boundaries.

We encourage PhD candidates to apply – details found on The Wicked Problem of Climate Change Teaching Innovation Incubator website. The deadline to apply is Monday, March 4, 2024, by the end of day.

TRIM study seeks participants and other notes

The Metabolism, Exercise Training and Sex Differences (METS) lab in the Department of Kinesiology and Health Sciences at the University of Waterloo is seeking sedentary, overweight males and females aged 18-45 years for a research study investigating whether the addition of two nutritional supplements to an exercise regime can improve the effects of exercise training on ‘high-quality weight loss’.

For more information, read the full Daily Bulletin article from August 8, 2022 regarding the launch of this ongoing research study.

If you are interested in participating in this study or have any questions, please contact Thabie Lechesa, Department of Kinesiology at 519-498-2151 or tlechesa@uwaterloo.ca.

The University of Waterloo History Society is "thrilled to announce the upcoming annual MacKinnon Dinner on March 15 at 6:00 p.m. This event, steeped in tradition, is an unforgettable experience for all attendees and is a time to come together to honour one of the department's most influential figures, esteemed professor, Father Hugh MacKinnon, and celebrate the wider University of Waterloo History community." 

This year's MacKinnon Dinner will delve into the theme "Bad History and its effects on historical narratives". "Embracing Professor MacKinnon's passion for intellectual discourse and scholarly pursuits, we have invited Dr. Geoffrey Hayes to deliver a talk on the theme, with Dr. Daniel Gorman providing introductory remarks."

"Professor MacKinnon firmly believed that proper attire and venue promoted serious study and community, and thus, in this spirit, the MacKinnon Dinner is hosted as a formal event, starting at 6:00 p.m., with a 3-course dinner to be served."

Tickets will be on sale online from Friday, February 23 to Friday, March 1 at a cost of $20.00 for University of Waterloo students and $30.00 for non-students. When ticket sales begin, the link to purchase tickets will be sent in a follow-up email. 

If you have any questions regarding the event, please direct them to the University of Waterloo History Society at uwhistory@gmail.com.