Human health, with all its complexities, will continue to be a most valued and fragile asset. It will continue to present emerging challenges in the years to come. As a Faculty focused on health, it is our responsibility to untangle the big issues and propose solutions through education, research, experience and collaboration.
Vision
A healthier world
Mission
The Faculty promotes and protects health and well-being through excellence in education and research, and through advocacy, collaboration and partnerships.
Differentiator
Focus on prevention
Values
We value impact and creativity.
We strive to make a sustainable difference through high quality education and research that benefits the health and well-being of individuals, the greater community and our global neighbours. We equip the next generation of leaders to address the evolving challenges that face our world.
We are curious and advance new ideas and ways of knowing.
We value integrity and work-life balance.
We expect truthfulness and integrity in all that we do. We make responsible use of our physical and human resources as we respond to new priorities in a changing world.
We respect and strive to support our students, staff and faculty’s engagement in the world, inside and outside of their work. We are stewards of a system that promotes long-term well-being.
We value community and equity.
We build meaningful and impactful relationships and collaborations in our Faculty, on our campus and beyond. We foster a sense of belonging as we support our community’s well-being, growth and success.
We embrace diverse perspectives, abilities, approaches and experiences in building an inclusive community for education and research. We are committed to recognizing and respecting lived experiences, historic and contemporary, especially relating to Indigenous persons, while eliminating barriers for all in our greater community.
Priorities and initiatives
Priority 1: Meaningful Education
The Faculty will foster teaching and learning opportunities and relationships that inspire diverse learners to address complex health problems.
Long-term goals:
- Maintain a high-quality educational experience in our core programs
- Expand program offerings
Short-term initiatives:
- Continue developing Physiotherapy/Occupational Therapy program proposals
- Enhance our international student profile and supports (e.g., through certificate programs, recruitment and other initiatives)
- Continue developing a Type II graduate diploma in Indigenous ways of knowing
- Create a new Health undergraduate advising office
Priority 2: Impactful Research
Long-term goals:
- Create pathways that advance both fundamental and applied research for community impact
- Support training in research
Short-term initiatives:
- Increase capacity in research chairs (e.g., Canada Research Chairs, UW-Schlegel Research Chairs)
- Lead and engage in interdisciplinary projects (e.g., Health Research Hub, UWIN Esports, Network for Aging Research)
Priority 3: Culture of Health and Well-being
Long-term goals:
- Scale up the Healthy Waterloo Initiative to other communities beyond our campus, city and region
- Make diversity, inclusion, Indigeneity and work-life balance the norm
Short-term initiatives:
- Operationalize and launch the Healthy Waterloo Initiative
- Reinforce our commitment to health and well-being, especially in a time of scarcity (e.g., through activities initiated by the Dean’s advisory committees)
- Continue to promote anti-racism through inclusive and educational activities and research
- Help advance the Indigenous land-based learning project on North Campus
Priority 4: Community Engagement
Long-term goals:
- Be the voice of health on campus and beyond
Short-term initiatives:
- Explore opportunities with campus planning (e.g., integration and partnerships with new regional hospital on campus)
- Strengthen existing community partnerships (e.g., through CCCARE, KHS, RLS and SPHS partnerships)
Waterloo at 100
The Faculty of Health strategic plan aligns the Faculty's identity and strengths in support of the University's Waterloo at 100 vision. Five interconnected global futures for humanity, including health futures, help to focus and co-ordinate the University's work across disciplines and organizational boundaries.