A group of 30 students participated in this year’s Sustainability and Social Entrepreneurship Fellowship (SSEF) program, hosted by the University of Waterloo's Pearl Sullivan Engineering Ideas Clinic and developed in partnership with Halton Region.
The students, from Waterloo and abroad, were tasked to develop ideas for improved urban development in Halton that could help the Region achieve its goal of net-zero carbon emissions by 2045.
Waterloo Engineering alum Andrew Farr (BASc ’97), chief administrative officer at Halton Region and the University’s Douglas Wright Engineer in Residence, helped shape this year’s theme: Sustainability in the built environment, and briefed the students on Halton's requirements. At the end of the nine-week program, the students presented 12 deeply researched and data-driven projects with real-world relevance to the Region's staff — such as an innovative design for rain gardens and permeable paving to mitigate flooding in community housing.
“Partnering with the University of Waterloo through the Sustainability and Social Entrepreneurship Fellowship has been an inspiring experience for Halton Region,” said Farr. “The students brought creativity, energy and practical solutions to some of the most pressing challenges we face as a rapidly growing community. Their ideas — from climate adaptation strategies to innovative infrastructure designs — reinforce the importance of collaboration in building a sustainable future for our residents.”
The SSEF 2025 program received funding support from Lark Scientific, a publication committed to educating and empowering Canadians on climate change.
Go to Putting students’ academic skills to work in Halton Region for the full story.