Friday, February 18, 2022

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• New funding helps advance Canadian leadership in cybersecurity
• University Wastewater Management program shows decline in overall COVID signals
• What's open and closed during Reading Week, Family Day, and a Thank You Day
• Pop-up booster clinics on campus next week
• Snowy notes before an extra long weekend

New funding helps advance Canadian leadership in cybersecurity

This article was originally published on Waterloo News.

On February 17, the Honourable François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry, announced that the National Cybersecurity Consortium (NCC) will receive up to $80 million to lead the Cyber Security Innovation Network.

The University of Waterloo is one of five founding members of the NCC working with public and private sectors to lead world-class cybersecurity innovation and talent development. Cybersecurity and privacy are emerging as critical challenges our society needs to tackle in the coming decade to secure our future.

“Waterloo is uniquely capable at turning information and communication technology research into effective cybersecurity and privacy solutions and innovations that create economic advantages for Canada,” says Vivek Goel, President and Vice-chancellor of Waterloo.

The new Cyber Security Innovation Network will support further research and development, increase commercialization opportunities, and develop skilled cybersecurity talent across Canada.

Charmaine Dean, Waterloo’s Vice-president, Research and International, serves on the NCC board and played a pivotal leadership role in establishing the consortium and supporting this national initiative.

Waterloo has more than 50 professors whose research is related to cybersecurity and privacy. The Executive Director of the Cybersecurity and Privacy Institute, N. Asokan, says the network will help advance their priority in leading interdisciplinary research to improve information security and privacy.

“I am looking forward to all of us at the Cybersecurity and Privacy Institute in continuing our work with our NCC partners, across all sectors and in all regions of Canada, to advance Canadian led cybersecurity and privacy solutions and to put NCC in the position to continue to play this important role beyond the funding period,” Asokan says.

About the National Cybersecurity Consortium (NCC)

The NCC is a not-for-profit organization established in 2020 by centres of expertise in cybersecurity at five Canadian universities: Concordia University, Ryerson University, University of Calgary, University of New Brunswick and University of Waterloo.

The NCC worked collaboratively with more than 140 researchers from 35 post-secondary institutions, 16 large firms, 30 small- and medium-sized firms, 26 not-for-profit organizations and 8 governments and governmental organizations across Canada in its application to lead the Cyber Security Innovation Network.

Read more and the NCC’s funding announcement.

About the Cybersecurity and Privacy Institute

The Cybersecurity and Privacy Institute at the University of Waterloo facilitates industry-academic collaborations and interdisciplinary research to develop solutions that have the potential to change the global landscape of cybersecurity. The institute brings together more than 50 researchers from across all of Waterloo’s six faculties to enhance information security and privacy.

University Wastewater Management program shows decline in overall COVID signals

Biochemstry co-op student Zach Miller next to an open manhole on campus.

By Megan Lambe.

Early in the pandemic, Waterloo Professor Mark Servos shifted his lab’s focus to the surveillance of COVID-19 in wastewater. Since then, Servos and his team have been working to develop and apply methods for the detection SARS-CoV-2 viral fragments, including its variants of concern, in wastewater. Wastewater surveillance has proven to be a very important tool, as it is independent of clinical testing. All individuals are included in the wastewater sample even if they are asymptomatic or unable to be tested.

In September, the University launched a pilot wastewater surveillance program in five residence buildings which were selected based on sampling feasibility. “The on-campus wastewater sampling is intended to assess the effectiveness of the COVID-19 safety protocols and support further actions and communication. It may also assist in the early detection of potential outbreaks,” Servos says. Servos emphasized that “using as many tools as possible to assess the prevalence of COVID-19 in our communities will help in the continued fight to control the pandemic.”

In recent months, the highly transmissible Omicron variant caused a major increase in the detection of SARS-CoV-2 in wastewaters of Waterloo Region. And while there has been a severe decline in the overall signal, Servos cautions it is important to note that we are seeing this decline because the public health protocols we’ve had in place are working.

Following the regional trend, testing of the sewers of the on-campus residences has also shown a dramatic recent decline in the presence of SARS-CoV-2 in the wastewaters. “As the graph indicates below, our test results have shown a steady decrease in the detection of SARS-COV-2 since data peaked on January 12. We’re now nearing Fall 2021 levels which is very promising to see,” says Servos.

Servos says while this is good news, we should remember that the protocols that kept us safe are the ones we need to continue to prioritize, as COVID-19 is not gone yet.

For more information on the University’s Wastewater Management Program, visit the COVID-19 website.

What's open and closed during Reading Week, Family Day, and a Thank You Day

Well, this is new. As Reading Week kicks off this weekend for Waterloo students, most University employees will enjoy an extra-extra long weekend, not just with Monday's usual Family Day holiday, but on Tuesday, February 22 with the first of two Thank You Days recently announced by the President and Provost.

Most University operations will be closed on Monday, February 21 and Tuesday, February 22. For example:

The Centre will be closed on Monday, February 21 and Tuesday, February 22, and will be open from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Wednesday to Friday.

Athletics facilities in the PAC, CIF and Field House will be closed Sunday, February 20 and Monday, April 21.

Library facilities will have chat or email service available from 12 noon to 6:00 p.m. on Monday, February 21 and Tuesday, February 22. 

Food Services locations will be shuttered on campus on Monday and Tuesday, with a few exceptions:

In residences, Mudie’s at Village 1 will be open 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. and The Market at CMH will be open 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. REVelation will be closed.

Limited operations will resume on Wednesday, February 23, with Subway in the Brubaker's food court, Starbucks in the STC open from 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., Tim Hortons DC open 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Tim Hortons SLC open 7:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., and Jugo Juice in the PAC open from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

"W Store and W Print locations will have limited hours of operation starting Wednesday, February 23 for the duration of Reading Week," says a note from Print + Retail Solutions. "Please visit our website for the most up-to-date hours of operation by location."

W Store and W Print | South Campus Hall

• Monday, February 21 – Closed
• Tuesday, February 22 – Closed
• Wednesday, February 23 | 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
• Thursday, February 24 | 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
• Friday, February 25 | Closed for annual inventory

W Store and W Print in South Campus Hall will re-open regular business hours starting Monday, February 28 at 9:00 a.m.

W Store Essentials | MC

• Closed for Reading Week (Monday, February 21 to Friday, February 25)

W Store Essentials | MC will re-open regular business hours starting Monday, February 28 at 9:00 a.m.

W Print | General Services Complex

• Monday, February 21 – Closed
• Tuesday, February 22 – Closed
• Wednesday, February 23 | 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
• Thursday, February 24 | 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
• Friday, February 25 | 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

W Print | General Services Complex will re-open regular business hours starting Thursday, February 24 at 8:30 a.m.

"On Friday, February 25, all W Store, W Store Essentials and W Print locations will be closed for business due to year-end inventory, except for W Print | General Services Complex. We will be unable to process transactions during this time."

The Student Life Centre (SLC) and Turnkey SLC will be open 24/7 on both Monday and Tuesday, though Turnkey@DC will be closed on Monday, February 22.

Pop-up booster clinics on campus next week

Still looking to get a COVID-19 booster shot? Next week, there will be two chances to get your dose on campus.

The booster clinics, operated by the Region of Waterloo Public Health and supported by Health Services, are available to anyone in the Waterloo community who meets the provincial eligibility requirements. No appointment is required.

The booster clinics will be located in the Student Life Centre basement area, in the old W Store Location.

The dates are:

• Wednesday, February 23 from 9:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
• Thursday, February 24 from 1:30 p.m. – 3:45 p.m.

It is important to note that any students who have been previously vaccinated with non-Health Canada approved vaccines must provide their vaccine receipts or the documentation obtained from public health by completing the Out of Province Immunization form. On site nurses will need to review this information before they can administer additional doses. Please review Ministry of Health’s guidance for individuals, or third dose recommendations as needed for more information.

If you have any questions please email coronavirus@uwaterloo.ca.

Snowy notes before an extra long weekend

The University is open today after last night's dump of snow, but Bright Starts Co-operative Early Learning Centre will be closed today due to the weather.

"The Centre for Career Action (CCA) has virtual services and programs to support undergrads, grad students, postdocs, alumni and employees in figuring out what they value, what they’re good at, and how to access meaningful work, co-op, volunteer, or graduate/professional school opportunities," says a note from the CCA. "Do you have questions about CCA's services? There is a Live chat available, you can call 519-888-4047, or stop by our front desk in the Tatham Centre between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. EST, Monday to Friday."

The FASS Theatre Company presents FASS-o-VISION tonight and tomorrow with two live (via YouTube) shows at 8:00 p.m. on Friday, February 18 and Saturday, February 19. "FASS-o-Vision is a virtual FASS production featuring FASS’s take on TV sitcoms, reality shows, comical commercials, and all the other good stuff seen on TV screens," says a note from FASS. "Because the FASS-o-Vision production celebrates 60 years of Faculty, Alumni, Students, and Staff singing songs and making puns together, we have opened up the FASS fault to perform some of your favourite scenes from past FASSes as well. While we’d love to be together in-person, performing online allows us to engage with the audience in new ways. Get ready to have FASS reinvigorate your pre-pandemic love of television."

Check out the FASS website for links to the performances.