In early March, we hosted a delegation of seven visitors from Saxion University of Applied Sciences, with two others participating online from the Netherlands. The visit coincided with SDG Week Canada, a national collaboration to heighten awareness of the 17 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) on college and university campuses.
We began the week with a re-enactment of the treaty between Dutch settlers and First Nations Peoples of Turtle Island. Elder Myeengun Henry presented a Wampum Belt to Professor Jan Jukema, and in return, Saxion University presented Elder Henry with a custom-woven scarf in green, symbolizing new life and the colour of their university. The yarn was recycled cotton, "bringing this scarf to life," as Jukema said. The design was the “result of coming together of the tradition of textile industry in our region and the creativity and energy of young designers and entrepreneurs.”
As Elder Henry guided the audience through the spiritual side of treaties, with a visual of the 17 SDGs as a backdrop, I realized that all 17 SDGs intersect with Indigenous ways of knowing.
I was also struck by Professor Jan Jukema’s description of Enschede, which I had the opportunity to visit in early 2020, before I was familiar with Waterloo. Both cities originated from industry and have developed into hubs of young designers and entrepreneurs.
The outcome of this visit is an initial two-year research collaboration agreement focusing on three initiatives: health equity in underserved communities using technology, future-proofed education for health professionals in the use of technology, and point-of-care technologies by health-care and social-work professionals. I would like to take this opportunity to thank all the staff, researchers and students who helped make this visit a success.
Lili Liu
News I Events I Did you know?
NEWS
Register for the Teaching and Learning Conference
Registration for the University's Teaching and Learning Conference is now open. Faculty, staff and graduate students are welcome to register and attend on May 3-4. Tamara Maciel, director of the School of Anatomy, is one of the keynote speakers in the Igniting our Practice sessions. The Faculty is covering registration fees for faculty members, postdoctoral fellows and graduate student instructors (teaching must be part of your role). Please contact Kirstie Slaney to request your discount code.
Funding spotlight: Michael Barnett-Cowan
Michael Barnett-Cowan (Kinesiology and Health Sciences) has received funding from the Waterloo Institute for Sustainable Aeronautics totalling more than $249,000. His project is titled 'System for Motion Capture of Virtual Flight Training.' Congratulations!
New fellowship for Charity Oga-Omenka
Charity Oga-Omenka (Public Health Sciences) has accepted a one-year fellowship with the North America cohort of the WomenLift Health Leadership Journey for women in global health funded by the Gates Foundation. She is one of 30 mid-career fellows this year to have access to new learning activities, coaching and mentorship. Congratulations!
Health Co-op Student of the Year is Rachel Almaw
Health Studies student Rachel Almaw received the 2022 Faculty of Health Co-op Student of the Year award. She worked three co-op terms in the Mobilize Clinical Biomechanics research lab, based in Kinesiology and Health Sciences. Honourable mention went to fellow Health Studies students Mariam Omilabu and Mahdi Farzad Naimi. In addition, Lauren Corke was one of six Problem Lab Award recipients. Congratulations to all!
April Wellness bingo card ready for download
The Dean’s Advisory Committee on Health and Well-being has launched a monthly Wellness Bingo game to promote healthy habits and behaviours. Everyone in the Faculty of Health is welcome to play. When you complete a line, send a picture to health.wellbeing@uwaterloo.ca to be entered for a monthly prize draw. This month, it's a $50 gift card to Pur and Simple. Download the April bingo card here.
Feedback about March Break Open House
More than 80 Health faculty, staff and students helped out during March Break Open House, with close to 700 registrants interested in the Faculty of Health (more than 2,000 attendees when you include their guests) – thank you! Campus-wide, registration was up 17 per cent from 2019, the last time this event was held in person. While it is still fresh in your minds, it would be helpful for our undergraduate recruitment team if you could take some time to provide any feedback so that we can improve for future events, including comments on parking, signage, tours, social media and programming.
Abatement work: April 11-28
There is asbestos abatement work that needs to take place between April 11-28 in the BMH 1100 block (occupied by Kinesiology and Health Sciences). Four offices will be blocked off at a time while the work takes place, but others can work in the nearby offices, assuming noise and smell are not factors. If you have questions, please contact Bonnie Bishop, or else speak with your supervisor.
Final Thirteen Grandmother Moons session: April 12
The final drop-in session for the Indigenous Learning Circle series, hosted by Elder Myeengun, takes place April 12 from 2:30 to 4 p.m. in the Indigenous Gathering Space, LHI 3701. Everyone is welcome. Registration is not required, and you don't need to have come to any of the previous sessions.
Inclusive Excellence in Research workshop: April 13
Waterloo faculty members are invited to register for Creating Inclusive Excellence in Research through Inclusive Leadership on Thursday, April 13, 1 to 4 p.m. The workshop features Imogen Coe, one of Canada’s leading advocates for organizational change towards inclusive excellence in research, and Ana Sofía Barrows, who has co-ordinated multiple initiatives focused on advancing equity, diversity and inclusion. Tools and strategies for identifying and removing barriers to inclusion, creating cultures of care to attract, retaining and promoting diverse talent will be covered.
Cooking club for graduate students: April 13 and 20
Graduate students and postdoctoral fellows are invited to come out to two cooking club sessions on April 13 and 20 from 2 to 4 p.m.. Twelve students will get together in the CCCARE kitchen in Toby Jenkins Building and cook a meal together. You will eat what you prepare and then take home some leftovers. All meals are vegetarian. The sessions are free, but registration is required. You can participate in one or both sessions.
Zentangle for staff: April 19
Hosted by Laura Williams, this Zentangle Lunch and Learn is open to all staff in the Faculty. A Zentangle is a miniature abstract work of art created by a collection of patterns, usually on small tiles using a pencil and black pen. The activity is mean to be relaxing! Meet in BMH 3119 on April 19 at noon. Supplies will be provided.
Faculty and staff clothing swap: April 26
The Dean's Office has organized a clothing swap for faculty and staff in the Faculty. People can drop off clean clothes in good repair to EXP 1686 on the afternoon of April 25 or before 10 a.m. on April 26. Each donated item gets one ticket that can then be used to pick out an item at the swap between 12 to 2:30 p.m. After that time, clothes will be open to anyone who didn’t contribute items. Anything left at 4 p.m. will go to the WUSA thrift store.
Alumni Award nomination deadline: April 30
It's that time of year! If you know a graduate who has contributed to the health and well-being of society through significant professional accomplishments, public service or support to the University of Waterloo, now is the time to nominate them for an Alumni Award. Nominations close April 30.
Red Dress Day: May 5
Save the date for Red Dress Day, also known as the National Day of Awareness for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls and Two-Spirit People. The event will once again be held on the BMH Green in the early afternoon.
Mixer on Health Technologies: May 5
Health faculty members are invited to attend a Mixer on Health Technologies on May 5 between 9 a.m. and 1:30 p.m., bringing together researchers from Health, the Waterloo Institute for Nanotechnology (WIN) and the Centre for Bioengineering and Biotechnology (CBB). The event is designed to connect health and medical researchers with those in nanotechnology to find new discoveries and applications in the following areas: materials for wearables, implants, regeneration and recovery (or advanced health-care platforms); delivery systems for therapeutics; and biomedical imaging. The program will include talks from researchers, a networking lunch with student posters and an announcement for a seed-funding competition to support collaborative projects in this space. Look for the invitation in your inbox. Please contact cbb@uwaterloo.ca with questions.
DID YOU KNOW?
AGE-WELL graduate student and postdoc awards opening
The Faculty is partnering with AGE-WELL again this year to award Graduate Student and Postdoctoral Awards in Technology and Aging. Applications open on April 3 and are due by May 12. They provide funding to highly qualified master’s, doctoral and postdoctoral candidates, as well as access to training and mentorship opportunities through the AGE-WELL Network of Centres of Excellence. For application questions, please contact training@agewell-nce.ca.
RLS hosting vegetarian community meals
The Recreation and Leisure Studies (RLS) Green Office Team has initiated community vegetarian meals that bring together RLS staff, faculty members and students to enjoy lunch prepared by staff and faculty. Not only do they help enhance community in RLS and raise awareness about environmental sustainability, but they can also help address food security concerns of students as leftover food is frozen and students are welcome to help themselves. The department will be hosting another event in May.
Sign up for the Indigenous Relations newsletter
The Office of Indigenous Relations publishes a seasonal newsletter called Indigenous Connections, which shares what the Office is working on, ways you can engage with the office and resources to strengthen and apply your knowledge. Sign up for the newsletter on the Indigenous Relations website.
Next two books for the Faculty of Health Book Club
The Dean's Office hosts a book club for anyone in the Faculty during lunch hour in BMH 3119 near the end of every month. April's book selection is The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie by Muriel Spark on April 22, and May's is Mexican Gothic by Silvia Moreno-Garcia. We have a few copies to lend out at the Dean's Office front desk. Please contact Fiona McAlister if you are interested in joining.
Do you have a news item to share? Please email it to Eugenia Xenos Anderson.