Electrical and computer engineers shape the future through innovation. They develop and improve systems that serve everyday needs of society spanning from high-voltage engineering and sustainable energy, to breakthroughs in wireless technology. Our faculty and students do everything from creating low-cost digital x-ray imagers to combat tuberculosis in developing countries, to building real-time embedded systems to advance the design and reliability of commercial products. ECE - the future is what we do.
Research
The Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering is a dynamic and innovative hub of cutting-edge advancements in technology and engineering. Faculty members lead pioneering research in areas such as robotics, artificial intelligence, communications, embedded systems, and renewable energy, addressing real-world challenges and driving technological breakthroughs.
Resources
Events
PhD Seminar Notice: Don’t Forget the Borrows: Bringing Ownership to Low-Level Intermediate Representation
Candidate: Siddharth Priya
Date: April 15, 2026
Time: 2:00 PM
Location: In-person, contact the candidate
Supervisor: Arie Gurfinkel
All are welcome!
MASc Seminar: Audio-Visual Feature Fusion through Transformers for Automated Depression Screening in Social Media Content
Candidate: Md Rezwanul Haque
Date: April 16, 2026
Time: 11:00 AM
Location: Online
Supervisor: Prof. Fakhri Karray
Co-Supervisor: Prof. Pin-Han Ho
All are welcome!
PhD Seminar: Advanced Circuit and System Techniques for High-Performance Beamforming Front-ends
Candidate: Mehran Hazer Sahlabadi
Date: April 16, 2026
Time: 2:00 PM
Location: Online
Supervisor: Prof. Slim Boumaiza
All are welcome!
News
Electrical and Computer Engineering capstone projects tackle real-world challenges in health, AI and human-centred technology
From improving access to healthcare diagnostics to advancing human–computer interaction and reducing administrative burden for clinicians, this year’s Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering (ECE) capstone projects demonstrate how thoughtful engineering can address meaningful real-world challenges. Working in teams, ECE students applied technical expertise in artificial intelligence, embedded systems, sensing technologies and software design to develop practical solutions that improve quality of life, increase efficiency and expand access to critical services.
The capstone experience represents the culmination of students’ undergraduate education, integrating knowledge gained through coursework, research and Waterloo’s co-op program. The projects highlight ECE’s strengths in combining strong technical foundations with human-centred design, enabling students to develop innovative technologies that respond to evolving needs in healthcare, industry and everyday life.
Electrical and computer engineering student Cait Aitchison named a recipient of the 2025 IEEE Power and Energy Society Scholarship Plus Initiative
The Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering (ECE) at the University of Waterloo proudly congratulates graduating student Cait Aitchison on being named a recipient of the 2025 IEEE Power & Energy Society (PES) Scholarship Plus Initiative. Awarded to outstanding students pursuing careers in the power and energy sector, the scholarship recognizes academic excellence, leadership potential, and a demonstrated commitment to advancing the future of sustainable electricity systems.
Electrical and computer engineering professor Dr. Ladan Tahvildari named 2026 IBM Champion for second consecutive year
Dr. Ladan Tahvildari, professor in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at the University of Waterloo, has once again been named an IBM Champion, earning the distinction for 2026. This recognition highlights her continued leadership and contributions to the global IBM technology community, building on her selection as an IBM Champion in 2025.
The IBM Champion designation is awarded annually to individuals who demonstrate exceptional advocacy, technical expertise, and meaningful engagement within IBM’s technology ecosystem. Recipients are recognized for their contributions to advancing innovation, sharing knowledge, and supporting the broader technology community through research, collaboration, and knowledge exchange.