As the University of Waterloo marks its milestone 60th year, we can look back on the many advances made in its short time as an institution.
You don’t have to look far to see the advances the University is making in fields including artificial intelligence, robotics and autonomous vehicles, just to name a few. While these technological advances often take centre stage, Waterloo is making changes just as important in gender equality and inclusivity.
In May of 2015, President Feridun Hamdullahpur “accepted an invitation from the UN Women’s HeForShe campaign for the University to participate in their IMPACT 10x10x10 framework alongside governments, leading universities, and global businesses” (uwaterloo.ca). This framework aims to boost female participation in the science, engineering, technology, and math (STEM) disciplines, in both student and faculty representation, as well as advancing female leaders into senior academic and administrative positions — all within a five-year timeframe.
As a female student in this ever-changing society, it is comforting to know that Waterloo is taking progressive steps to achieve a greater representation of women throughout the University community. The strides made on behalf of the University have been recognized by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and the Global Goodwill Ambassador of United Nations Women Emma Watson.
The goals the University has set are not the end of the equality they wish to pursue. By the end of summer 2016 it came to the attention of the University community that female professors were paid less then their male counterparts. The University boosted the pay for female professors to be comparable to that of their male colleagues. The recognition of the wag gap demonstrated progress being made to eliminate barriers that negatively effect women in the workplace, and are a strong evidence of a University community that believes in equality.
My prediction for the next 60 years is that the University will be even more widely recognized for the work done to end gender inequality, and will continuously strive to eliminate the barriers for women as they have demonstrated in the past. As a result of these efforts, I am confident that the next 60 years will be even more monumental than the first.
Biography
Mackenzie Snape is a second-year student pursuing her Bachelor of Arts in the Honours Arts & Business program majoring in History, scheduled to graduate in 2020. She attended her local high school, Maxwell Heights Secondary School in Oshawa. Mackenzie is looking forward to exploring more career opportunities in her perspective field through the co-operative education program.