Dear faculty, staff and graduate students,
The Faculty of Health has begun to collaborate with Waterloo International to develop an international strategy. We have been lagging in providing international experiences for our students, and recruitment of international undergraduate students.
Waterloo International's numbers show that from 2019 to 2023, Health hosted only 1 per cent of the University’s inbound exchange terms and 4 per cent of outbound exchange terms. Health admits only 2 per cent of Waterloo’s international undergraduate students -- lower than Environment (4 per cent), Engineering (13 per cent), Arts (16 per cent), Science (18 per cent), with Math being the highest (47 per cent). The majority of our international undergraduate admits come from India, China, the U.S., Hong Kong and Kenya.
As well, there opportunities for growth in international partnerships and research collaborations.
If we can improve these metrics and take advantage of opportunities, the Faculty of Health could be even more competitive. In the coming months, Waterloo International will be meeting with members of the departments and School to engage in dialogues that will inform our Faculty’s international strategy. We hope that you will find these meetings engaging and we look forward to your creative ideas.
Best,
Lili Liu
News I Events I Did you know?
NEWS
Dr. Marina Mourtzakis named University Research Chair
Dr. Marina Mourtzakis has been named University Research Chair for a seven-year term, effective July 1. The award recognizes her exceptional achievement and scholarly contributions in the Department of Kinesiology and Health Sciences. She is also currently serving as Associate Dean, Research.
Funding spotlight: $1.5 million for urban futures project
A School of Public Health Sciences research team — co-directed by Drs. Craig Janes and Warren Dodd and including Drs. Charity Oga-Omenka, Zahid Butt and Moses Tetui — is to receive more than $1.5 million through the federal government’s New Frontiers in Research Fund to support their Urban Futures project: Toward health equity, inclusive governance, and climate adaptation in African informal settlements.
Funding spotlight: Warren Dodd
Dr. Warren Dodd received $200,000 through a Partnership Development Grant, provided by the Government of Canada's Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council. The funded project will examine the themes of youth well-being, migration and climate change in partnership with non-governmental organizations in Guatemala, El Salvador and Honduras. Other researchers involved in the project from the School of Public Health Sciences include Hannah Neufeld, Brian Laird, Mark Ferro and Craig Janes.
Caryl Russell retiring after 44 years
Caryl Russell is retiring after a successful 44-year career in Kinesiology and Health Sciences. As a dedicated instructor and program director, she has advanced the knowledge of many students in exercise for health and performance and developed exercise-based programs and assessments. Notably, she helped to develop Hardy Hearts and UW WELL FIT, in addition to other clinical programs that provided the base for the Centre for Community, Clinical and Applied Research Excellence (CCCARE).
PhD student Amy Nahwegahbow named Vanier Scholar
Epidemiology and Biostatistics PhD student Amy Nahwegahbow has been awarded the prestigious Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarship and is to receive $50,000 per year for three years towards her studies. Her research tackles pollution-related health challenges faced by First Nations in the Anishinaabek community of Whitefish River First Nation and among residents of Yellowknife, Ndilǫ and Dettah in the Northwest Territories.
Outstanding Performance Award recipients named
The Provost's office has announced the Outstanding Performance Award recipients for 2023 for outstanding contributions to the University. The Faculty of Health recipients include Clark Dickerson, Robin Duncan, Leeann Ferries, John Hirdes, Elena Neiterman and Luke Potwarka.
Winter 2024 TA awards announced
Each term, the Faculty of Health recognizes and celebrates graduate students in teaching assistant roles who have demonstrated a strong commitment to the learning and personal growth of students. The recipients of the winter 2024 term Faculty of Health Teaching Assistant Awards are: Chloe Karrie Anne Stiles (KHS), Ehinomen Oko-Oboh (SPHS) and Crystal-Jade Cargill (RLS).
Distinguished Professors Emeriti recognized
Long-serving faculty members Drs. Rhona Hanning and Ron McCarville have been recognized for the impact they have made at Waterloo and in academia as a whole. Hanning was recognized for her pioneering work and significant impact in community-based participatory food and nutrition research with Indigenous communities. McCarville earned widespread recognition as a leading scholar in leisure marketing and remains the foremost authority on strategic pricing in the provision of leisure services.
New SPHS professional graduate programs lead
Dr. Jennifer Yessis will be taking over as the SPHS Associate Director, Professional Graduate Studies, beginning July 1. Yessis will be overseeing the Health Evaluation, Health Informatics and Public Health master's programs within the unit. Thank you to Dr. Narveen Jandu for her work in this position over the last year.
UPCOMING EVENTS
Health Ready Day: July 8
Health Ready Day takes place on July 8 from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Students and their families will be on campus to learn what to expect during their first term coming up this September. Be sure to say hello, and keep in mind that parking lots X and N will be open to visitors throughout the week.
Course redesign for models of blended learning: July 16
The Centre for Teaching Excellence invites faculty and graduate students to attend an intensive workshop on course redesign for models of blended learning, including the flipped classroom and integration of both in- and out-of-class learning. To register for this workshop taking place in person on July 16 from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m., visit the Centre for Teaching Excellence's Course Redesign for Flipped and Other Models of Blended Learning event page.
Faculty of Health Backyard Social: July 17
Students, staff and faculty are invited to a community-building event with music, lawn games and treats to keep you cool outside on the BMH Green on July 17 from 1 to 3 p.m. Bring your lunch if you would like, but freezies, pop and water will be provided. If you have any questions, please contact SPHS social media assistant Vihdi Modha.
Introduction to Creator+ in LEARN: July 18
The Teaching Innovation Incubator and Instructional Technologies and Media Services is piloting the Creator+ tool to help University of Waterloo faculty and staff enhance student engagement in their LEARN courses. For an introduction to this new tool, an online workshop is available on July 18 from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. If you are a faculty or staff member interested in exploring Creator+, complete the expression of interest form to be considered to join the pilot. Contact Pam Fluttert with any questions related to the Creator+ Evaluation project.
Staff and faculty rock climbing: July 24
Faculty and staff members from the Faculty of Health are invited by the Dean's Advisory Committee on Health and Well-being to participate in a group climb at the Waterloo Warriors Rock Climbing Wall in the Physical Activities Complex from 3 to 4:30 p.m. on July 24. You will have the opportunity to climb on the auto belays, top rope and bouldering wall following a short orientation on proper safety etiquette and falling technique. All skill levels are welcome. For more information or to register for the event, please contact Health and Well-being Project Assistant Graham Bradley.
Biomedical Engineering and Technology Research Day: July 24
The Office of Research Health Initiatives and the Centre for Bioengineering and Biotechnology (CBB) invite all graduate students to celebrate innovation and research in biomedical and health technology. The event will take place from 11 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. in the E7 Event Space and will feature an engaging poster symposium, a keynote address and networking opportunities. For additional details or to register to present a poster, visit the CBB's Biomedical Engineering and Technology Research Day event page.
DID YOU KNOW?
Cyber Security training deadline: July 1
The July 1 date for completion of the mandatory Cyber Awareness Training courses is fast approaching. All faculty and staff are required to complete two brief training courses, which provide an important foundation of common knowledge regarding cybersecurity awareness, including core cyber awareness essentials, data privacy and security, and other important topics. Access to the training courses, support resources and FAQs are available on the Cyber Awareness Training web page. Two other courses, specific to cybersecurity in a research setting, are optional but highly recommended for researchers and staff who support research.
Change to M Lot parking rates
Sustainable transportation reports that parking rates in the M Lot will reduce from $14 per day to $8 per day beginning July 1, based on high usage and complaints.
Knowledge Gathering and Sharing for 2SLGBTQIA+ Communities
The Office of Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Anti-racism is offering Knowledge Gathering and Sharing Consultation sessions for 2SLGBTQIA+ students, faculty and staff. Insights from these consultations will help shape a new Trans and Queer Equity Strategy for the University. All participants will receive a $25 honorarium following their participation. For registration and additional information, visit the Office's Knowledge Gathering and Sharing for 2SLGBTQIA+ Communities webpage.
Safeguarding Science workshops
To raise awareness of research security issues, Public Safety Canada (PSC) invites faculty, staff and students to attend 90-minute Safeguarding Science workshops offered throughout the summer and fall of 2024. These workshops include research security guidance, best practices and tools to help recognize and mitigate risks to researchers and institutions. For details and to register, visit PSC's Safeguarding Science Initiative webpage.
Do you have a news item to share? Please email it to Jenna Braun.