
Dear faculty, staff and graduate students,
This week, we received an update on financial sustainability initiatives from the Provost and VP Administration and Finance. It outlined expenditure control and planning for the next fiscal year and further budget reductions due to federally imposed restrictions on international enrolments, a provincial freeze on domestic tuition and inflationary pressures.
More than ever, revenue generation is a priority. Currently, we have an opportunity to increase our international recruitment in undergraduate programs as Waterloo prepares to welcome Khotwa Scholarship students as early as fall 2025. The Sport and Recreation Management program qualifies for at least 10 students to be funded through this program with full scholarships from the Abu Dhabi Department of Education and Knowledge (ADEK). We feel confident we can secure the number of allocations required for these scholarship admissions.
In addition, several senior undergraduate students in the health field from the Higher Colleges of Technology in the UAE (who participated in a week-long Health Futures certificate program in Waterloo last month) are interested in pursuing online course-based master’s programs with our Faculty. We hope to run this certificate program again. Historically, we have enrolled the smallest proportion of international students but, going forward, we are continuing with our commitment to build internationalization into our programs, in incremental steps, and in ways that make sense for our curricula.
I hope that during this period of fiscal challenges, we will thrive by working together to implement creative initiatives that open opportunities for us all. I also hope that you can take the upcoming holiday break to enjoy time with loved ones and be fully present in each other's lives.
Best,
Lili Liu
News I Events I Did you know?
NEWS
Graduate Mentorship Awards announced
Congratulations to Drs. Ellen MacEachen (Public Health Sciences) and Bryan Grimwood (Recreation and Leisure Studies), who are the 2024 Faculty of Health Graduate Mentorship Award recipients. MacEachen receives the Senior Graduate Mentorship Award, while Grimwood is the recipient of the Mid-career Graduate Mentorship Award. This year’s finalists were exceptional mentors who had a profound impact on the academic careers and lives of their students. Thank you to the 30+ grad students and associate chairs/directors who submitted letters of support and to the adjudication committee for their work reviewing them.
Researchers honoured at President's Reception
Several Health researchers, including Drs. Karla Boluk, John Hirdes, Marina Mourtzakis, Sharon Kirkpatrick, Rhona Hanning (retired) and Ron McCarville (also retired) were celebrated, along with others from across campus, at a President’s Reception for Excellence for their impressive accomplishments in research. Consider nominating one of your exceptional colleagues for a future prestigious award. Please speak with a Health representative from the Waterloo Awards Committee -- Drs. Robin Duncan, Hannah Neufeld, Steven Mock, or Marina Mourtzakis, chair of the Health Awards Committee -- for guidance in the application process.
Funding spotlight: Ontario Research Fund recipients
Drs. Kaylena Ehgoetz Martens and Nikolas Knowles, both in the Department of Kinesiology and Health Sciences, were two of 22 Waterloo researchers who received funding from the Ontario Research Fund. Each received $100,000 of Research Infrastructure funding for their projects.
Funding spotlight: Kelly Skinner
Dr. Kelly Skinner (Public Health Sciences) and her team received a Canadian Institutes of Health Research strategic operating grant worth $124,000. Their project is titled "Mobilizing opportunities to strengthen gestational diabetes prevention and management in the ISR, NWT using a public health approach."
Remembering Mana Mao
The Faculty of Health mourns the loss of Kinesiology student Mana Mao, who passed away suddenly due to a medical issue earlier this month. She was a dedicated student in her fourth year and active in university sports, serving as a student trainer for the women’s volleyball team. She will be missed by everyone who knew her.
UPCOMING EVENTS
Distinguished Teacher Award deadline: December 31
The deadline to nominate an instructor who has demonstrated excellent teaching over an extended period of time (usually at least five years) is December 31. The award is open to anyone who teaches students at the University, not just faculty members. You can nominate your colleague or favourite instructor by completing the Distinguished Teacher Award nomination form.
GRADflix video submission deadline: January 12
Graduate students are encouraged to submit an entry in the seventh annual GRADflix competition, which is a research communication opportunity hosted by Graduate Studies and Postdoctoral Affairs. Partcipants create a video, moving slide show, or animation of less than 60 seconds that describes their research. Finalist videos are then highlighted at the GRADflix showcase taking place February 4 at Federation Hall.
LEARN session for TAs: January 13
Are you a Teaching Assistant with questions about LEARN? Sign up for LEARN for TAs (online), being held January 13 at 1 p.m. This workshop is in a question-and-answer format, hosted by the Centre for Teaching Excellence.
Teaching and Learning Conference proposals: January 20
Proposal submissions are now open for the annual University of Waterloo Teaching and Learning (UWTL) Conference, titled "Disruption and Uncertainty as Drivers for Change." The deadline for proposals is January 20. The conference is taking place on Wednesday, April 30 (online) and Thursday, May 1 (in person). Please see the UWTL Conference website for more information. The Faculty will cover registration for faculty, staff and grad students with a teaching component to their positions. Please contact Kirstie Slaney for details.
Science Exposed submission deadline: January 28
If you carry out scientific research and can blend creativity and science, consider submitting a research image to the Science Exposed contest for a chance to win prizes. Eye-catching images coming from research projects can be submitted until January 28. The contest is organized by the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) and Acfas.
Enhancing accessibility workshop: January 29
Enhancing Accessibility in Teaching in Learning Series #1: Accessibility Basics will explore how faculty and staff are supporting and practising accessible teaching to benefit students. The one-hour session will include a half-hour presentation by staff or faculty and a half-hour of discussion, and staff from AccessAbility Services will be in attendance to answer any questions that intersect with accommodation procedures. Registration is not required for this January 29 workshop at 1 p.m. (online).
DID YOU KNOW?
Buildings closed over the holidays
All buildings on campus will be locked during the holiday break beginning 4:30 p.m. on Friday, December 20 and will reopen at 7:30 a.m. on Thursday, January 2. Please contact your chair/director or Julie Cassaubon if you require access to our buildings over the holiday break. If you run a lab, check your inbox or consult the shutdown checklists posted outside the labs. Happy holidays!
Do you have a news item to share? Please email it to Eugenia Xenos Anderson.