Events

The Waterloo Institute for Nanotechnology (WIN) is pleased to present a
Distinguished Lecture by Prof. Shuk Han CHENG, Department of Biomedical
Sciences and Department of Materials Science and Engineering, City University
of Hong Kong

Please join us on Thursday, July 10 at 2:00 p.m. to hear Prof. CHENG's
lecture titled "Curiosity-Driven Research on Nanomaterials Led to Unexpected
Societal Impact."

Where: QNC 1501
When: Thursday, July 10, 2025 | 2:00 p.m. - 3 p.m.

The Waterloo Institute for Nanotechnology (WIN) is pleased to present a Distinguished Lecture by Orlando Rojas, Professor and Canada Excellence Research Chair, Scientific Director of the Bioproducts Institute, Departments of Chemical & Biological Engineering | Chemistry | Wood Science, The University of British Columbia.

Please join us on Thursday, July 24 at 2 p.m. to hear Professor Rojas's lecture titled "The Role of Bio-Based Colloids in Gelation Technologies and Green Interfaces."

Artificial Intelligence is increasingly present in our lives. We see its impact on social media. We use it to translate, write emails, gain an edge on the stock market, drive cars, and even think for us. Many believe that this is just the start. Artificial Intelligence may have the power to disrupt the very foundations of how we live. One of those foundations is our country, Canada. Many of us are grateful to live in a country with an elected government, independent courts, social services, and civil liberties. In a time when the world anticipates the disruption that AI may bring, The Waterloo Forum asks, “Will AI undermine Canadian democratic institutions?”

As part of the Water Institute's WaterTalks lecture series, Soumya Balasubramanya, Senior Economist at The World Bank, Washington, DC, will present "Recent trends in groundwater use in South Asia: The role of technology and water-energy-food-poverty nexus tradeoffs."

This event is in person in DC 1304 with a networking reception to follow in DC 1301 (The Fishbowl).

If you have an item to repair, and would like to have someone skilled help you repair it, then sign up for a FREE ticket.

Typical repairs include, small household appliances, yard tools, housewares, umbrellas, gadgets, backpacks, bags, purses, and clothing. No gasoline powered equipment, welding, large TVs, microwaves, pressure canners, refigeration equipment, clothing alterations, or pant hems. Be sure to read the ticket descriptions before signing up.

We also have a DIY repair station where you can try your hand at sewing, glueing and stretching shoes, knife sharpening, and more. No need to sign up for the DIY station.

If you don't have anything in need of repair... don't despair, we are happy to have you come and see repair in action.

NOTE: Not all items can be repaired - we will do our best. If your item cannot be repaired you will at least know that you tried. Should you have something that can't be fixed, you can donate it for parts and/or recycling.

Moving at the speed of AI

AI systems are starting to get really useful, but they use far too much energy to be served to everyone on the planet. We are going to need to make computers a lot more efficient and produce way more energy than today. Trevor McCourt (BSc, MME, '20), CTO and co-founder of leading chipmaker Extropic, will explore how radically efficient computing can transform the trajectory of AI’s energy demands. The program also includes startup lightning talks, a feature presentation from near-zero energy chip maker Vaire, and a networking reception.

On behalf of the Waterloo RoboHub, the Global Engagement Seminar team, and the Interdisciplinary Capstone teaching team, I would like to invite you to join us for what should be a very interesting talk!

Evan Ackerman, Senior Editor of IEEE Spectrum and one of this year's Global Engagement Seminar Jarislowski Fellows, will be giving a talk titled “Robots vs Reality: Responsible Science Communication in the Attention Economy” at 4 pm on October 21st in DC 1351. We are expecting to completely fill the room, so seating in DC 1351 will be on a first-come, first-served basis until we reach capacity. Once it is full, the main IDEAs Clinic room (E7 1427) will be used as the primary overflow space once DC 1351 is full.

As part of the Water Institute's WaterTalks lecture series, Dr. Anaís Delilah Roque, John Hope Franklin Assistant Professor of Environmental Justice, Nicholas School of the Environment, Duke University, will present Beyond the Storm: Water Insecurity and Community Resilience in Puerto Rico.

This event is in person in DC 1302 with a networking lunch reception to follow in DC 1301 (The Fishbowl).

The Sexual Violence Prevention & Response Office (SVPRO) is once again bringing the What Were You Wearing? Survivor Art Exhibit to UWaterloo. The exhibit is based on student-survivor descriptions of the clothing they were wearing when they experienced sexual violence.