Friday, November 18, 2016

Applying a world-class education to real world situations

by Michelle Pressé. Waterloo is celebrating International Education Week with a variety of on-campus activities, as well as a series of stories showcasing some of the international experiences of our students, faculty, and staff. This is the final entry in our week-long series.

Sarb Majumdar is no stranger to travelling.

The third-year management engineering student has already been to 19 countries. Originally from India, he moved to the United Arab Emirates with his family at the age of four. Two years later, they moved to Singapore.

He always knew he would pursue his post-secondary education outside of Asia, with Canada and the United States being his top choices.

“I chose Canada for safety reasons,” says Sarb. “I’ve travelled to the U.S. several times, and every time I do, I’m always ‘randomly’ selected to be searched. It’s not a good feeling.”

When Sarb learned about Waterloo’s engineering program and co-op opportunities, it was an easy choice. He says that after being accepted, he was invited to a dinner at the Canadian High Commissioner of Singapore’s house. His welcome package also came with a handwritten note from Waterloo engineering students welcoming him to the community.

“Canadians are so nice,” says Sarb. “I remember going to a McDonald’s when I first got here and being surprised when the cashier asked me how my day was going. In Singapore, you avoid strangers as much as possible.”

Sarb has done quite the opposite at Waterloo and is involved with many on-campus student activities. His roles have included vice-president (internal) for the Waterloo Engineering Society (EngSoc), EngSoc class representative for Management Engineering 2018, and a member of the EngSoc Board of Directors. In his spare time, he enjoys travelling and photography.

After participating in Orientation Week as a first-year student in 2013, he was inspired to be a leader himself. His own experience included receiving a hard hat, competing to create an innovative product using nothing but old junk, and chanting various engineering cheers with classmates who would eventually become friends. To Sarb, this was “as amazing as Christmas.”

So far, he has completed four co-op terms, which has given him a variety of experience working in business development roles, attracting sponsors, and creating new data management systems. The unique opportunities that have stemmed from co-op roles and course projects have allowed him to thrive in both academic and real-world settings.

Waterloo has a long history of hosting international students. As of 2016, 37 per cent of graduate students and 17 per cent of undergraduate students are international.

“Waterloo is constantly striving to improve its global impact through international experiences – both abroad and at home,” says Ian Rowlands, Interim Associate Vice-President, International. “By utilizing Waterloo’s many strengths in teaching and research, the University is continuing to work towards its goal of becoming one of the most internationalized universities in Canada. Welcoming international students and creating global opportunities for work and study are important examples of action the University is taking to advance this strategic priority.”

Sarb says the sense of community at Waterloo allowed him to feel at home right away, but like many international students from warmer climates, struggled with adjusting to Canada’s weather.

“Singapore is never cold,” says Sarb. “But despite the temperatures in Canada, it’s completely worth it.”

Policy 34 on health, safety, environment updated

The University’s Policy 34 – Health, Safety and Environment has been updated, as required by legislation. 

As part of this year’s review, the Policy was reviewed for clarity and currency to existing legislation. Of note:

• section 6.2.1 clarifies that scope is limited to contraventions of the Occupational Health & Safety Act (the “Act”); and
• section 6.2.3 was removed as it no longer reflects the reporting relationship to the Provost, now that a functional Senior Management Health & Safety Committee is in place, which receives University level health and safety concerns.

Consultation was held with the University’s four Joint Health & Safety Committees through the Fall of 2016. 

The updated Policy can be found on the Office of the Secretariat and General Counsel's website. 

Random Act of Kindness Day in review

A message from Community Relations and Events

On November 4, over 30 University of Waterloo student and staff volunteers spent the morning at Schlegel Villages, University Gates engaging with senior residents in a range of fun activities in celebration of this year’s Random Act of Kindness Day (RAK Day) campaign. Partnering with The Kitchener and Waterloo Community Foundation for the fourth year in a row, RAK Day seeks to create a more caring and empathic community, inviting everyone to come together to pay it forward. Check out the feel-good story, and share with it someone to brighten their day: 

Special thanks to close to 300 student, faculty, and staff volunteers and to the many partners across each of our campuses who joined us in spreading kindness and positivity in our community on RAK Day 2016. Your generous contributions and kind deeds help to make this region a better place to live!

Tackling the taboo around toilets and other notes

A simple amenity many of us take for granted is a luxury that 2.4 billion people are living without, according to a blog entry posted on the HeForShe website.

"Where do you go to the washroom? If you’re like most Canadians, you probably walk down a hallway, go into a private room or stall and lock the door. When you’re finished, you flush, wash your hands and return to your prior task. The whole process probably takes less than five minutes. But every day around the world, women and girls spend a staggering 266 million hours simply looking for a place to go. They are part of the 2.4 billion people living without a toilet."

Saturday, November 19^th is World Toilet Day, a day the United Nations General Assembly designated in 2013 to raise awareness and inspire action around the global sanitation crisis.

Read about how lack of access affects women, the economy, and what you can do to help on the HeForShe site.

Parking Services has advised parking permit holders in B and Q Lots that the main railway crossing at Ring Road and East Campus has been closed as of Thursday to complete curb work and paving. The crossing will be closed for approximately one week, and there will be no pedestrian crossing allowed.

Pedestrians are advised to use the pathway at the north end of Q Lot parallel to Columbia Street or the pathway crossing in front of Engineering V as detours.

Check the ION-related travel disruption site for further updates.

Library ambassadors are hosting a trivia challenge and photo booth inspired by the Harry Potter book series on Monday, November 21 from 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. Test your knowledge on Harry Potter's world of witchcraft and wizardry. For each question answered correctly, your name will be entered into a draw for a $30 gift card for Retail Services. Take a picture at the photo booth sporting magical items like a wand or Harry Potter glasses. If you upload your photo with the hashtag #UWPotterHeads you will be entered into the draw for the gift card. Express your inner wizard!

The event takes place in the Dana Porter Library lobby.