Wednesday, February 20, 2019

Enter the Dragons...Den

CBC’s Dragons’ Den is returning to the University of Waterloo on March 6 to host auditions for the next season.

Part of a nationwide tour, open auditions will be held at the Mike and Ophelia Lazaridis Quantum-Nano Centre (QNC) from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Dragons’ Den provides entrepreneurs and small business owners with an opportunity to pitch their innovation to a panel of wealthy Canadian business moguls and seek a partnership.

“Given Waterloo’s reputation as a hub of entrepreneurial activity it is quite fitting for Dragons’ Den to be on campus once again. I encourage aspiring entrepreneurs within the campus community to seize this opportunity to showcase their talent and the innovative spirit of Waterloo Region,” says the Waterloo Commercialization Office's Director of Commercialization Scott Inwood.

Aspiring entrepreneurs of all ages with businesses at any stage of development are welcome to attend the open auditions. Hopeful entrepreneurs should apply online and prepare to pitch to their concept to the Dragons’ Den producers in five minutes or less. If the producers are impressed by the pitch, the entrepreneurs could be invited to face the Dragons in Toronto. Attendance at the audition is not mandatory, however, it is highly encouraged.

Last March, Chau Phan, a former Waterloo PhD student from the School of Optometry and Vision Science pitched his affordable parcel dimensioning system and company Tricolops Technology Inc. during the open auditions and was invited to appear on the show in Toronto in the spring of 2018. Phan started Tricolops in the Velocity Garage, part of Waterloo’s entrepreneurship program, Velocity, with two other students and alumni from Waterloo.

To prepare for the upcoming auditions, applicants are asked to refer to the Dragons’ Den Cheat Sheet. For those who cannot attend the March 6 audition, a full list of audition locations are listed on the Dragons’ Den website, and interested entrepreneurs can also apply online.

Swim team pools resources for impressive OUA finish

This article was originally published on the Athletics & Recreation website.

The Warriors swimming team put together their best OUA Championship meet in over 30 years as the men's team won the team silver (575.5 points) while women finished a very impressive fourth overall (403.5 points).

Lukas Wormald was Waterloo's top performer in the pool with incredible swims throughout the three day event. The Warriors upstart rookie won gold in the 400 Individual Medley on Day 1 and followed that up with two more medals on Day 3; another gold medal in the 200 IM and a bronze with in the 200 Medley Relay. Also winning the 200 Medley Relay bronze was Jake Gu, Alex Lojko, and Peter Li.

For his outstanding weekend, Wormald collected two OUA Major Awards including Male Rookie of the Year and the Individual Medley Excellence Award. 

On the women's side the Warriors finished 1-2 in the 50m breast stroke with Christina Ji winning the gold in a time of 32:41 while Josie Andres was right behind at 32:67. Waterloo also got a silver medal performance from their 200m Medley Relay team. Eloise Ladyman, Christina Ji, Josie Andres and Jacquelyne Mariano earned those team points for the black and gold to help them earn a fourth place finish. Katherine Ivancic was the winner of the Community Service Award.

Leading both squads was head coach Jacquline Beckford-Henrique who was named the Men's Team Coach of the Year.

"It was a fantastic weekend for our Warriors swimmers," said Beckford-Henrique. "I am very proud of the way we performed on all three days and all of the hard work these student-athletes have put in paid off."

Grade 10 Family Night, salt shortages and other notes

Grade 10 students and parents will be attending the Grade 10 Family Night information session to learn about applying to university and finding the right program. The event, which features current Waterloo students offering tips about what they wish they knew about university before they arrived will help younger students and their parents learn about actions they can take now to prepare for university.

Attendees will have the opportunity to learn about finding the right program and university, admissions, and financing their education.

Grade 10 Family Night takes place on Thursday, February 21 from 6:00 to 8:30 p.m. at Hagey Hall. Registrations are open until tomorrow.

The University, along with many other community partners, is facing a shortage of road salt and ice melting materials relating to a summertime labour disruption at the Goderich salt mines, according to a note from Plant Operations.

This couldn't come at a worse time, given that Environment Canada has issued a special weather statement for Waterloo Region as another round of freezing rain is expected Wednesday evening and into Thursday.

"We are doing the best we can to maintain primary, secondary and tertiary walkways (found at https://uwaterloo.ca/plant-operations/winter-weather-information) as well as Ring Road," says Plant Ops. "Pedestrians are strongly encouraged to wear appropriate winter footwear and stay on identified walkways."  

"We are working to source product from other areas in Ontario. The safety of our campus is our highest priority and we are doing everything possible to maintain safe roads and walkways. Your cooperation is appreciated."

Interested in conducting research with the Waterloo Region District School Board or the Waterloo Catholic District School Board? Join Research Ethics for an information session on Thursday, February 21 from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. in EC5 3167. Learn about the School Board application process including procedures for applying and helpful advice for completing an application, important dates, and planning effectively to meet deadlines. For more information, and to register, please visit the Research website.

Print + Retail Solutions locations will be closed the morning of Friday, February 22 for the department's annual staff meeting. All locations will be open from 1:30 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Friday afternoon.