Welcome to the Fall issue of E-Ties—and my first as Dean of the Faculty of Mathematics.
After a busy and exciting first few months in this role, I’m thrilled to share some major developments happening within the Faculty.
But before I dive in, let me say what an honour it is to address our alumni community. I have always held deep admiration for our graduates. Not only do your incredible achievements fill us with pride, but your passion for the University–and generosity in giving back–make our work possible.
Already, I’ve had the pleasure of attending several alumni events and connecting with graduates in person. I look forward to doing much more of this in the months and years ahead. I believe there are tremendous opportunities for collaboration. We are in the midst of a profound technological transformation—one that touches every aspect of life—and Mathies are at the forefront, responsibly driving change. I believe that by coming together, we can realize the best possibilities of this era and help our communities thrive.
Industry partnerships: Launching bold new research initiatives
I am thrilled to report on two exciting new industry partnerships within the Faculty of Mathematics.
In the summer, we announced the creation of the Dieter Schwarz Chair in the Physics of Information and AI. It was made possible by the first-ever contribution from the esteemed German foundation Dieter Schwarz Stiftung to a Canadian university. Dr. Achim Kempf, a professor of mathematical physics in the Department of Applied Mathematics, will hold the chair. Under his guidance, Waterloo will become a global centre for research in the physics of information and artificial intelligence.
Then, earlier this month, we announced a research collaboration with Google that will examine the impact of artificial intelligence on education and career readiness. The partnership includes a $1 million research agreement to create the Google Chair in the Future of Work and Learning, which will be held by Dr. Edith Law, a professor in the Cheriton School of Computer Science. The collaboration will support a range of research and educational efforts focused on merging technology design with innovative teaching practices, including experiential labs that allow students to prototype and imagine future technologies for work and learning.
From AI to quantum computing, the Faculty of Mathematics is at the forefront of the technologies reshaping our world. Our recent partnerships with Google and the Dieter Schwarz Stiftung are just the beginning of a new era of bold, interdisciplinary research. I thank our partners and look forward to seeing the impact of these initiatives!
Celebrating Alumni Excellence 
On October 7, we hosted our 2025 Alumni Achievement Award recipients and the 2025 J.W. Graham Medal in Innovation and Computing honouree on campus for a luncheon and career panel. During the lively panel discussion, they shared their career journeys and offered advice to an audience of Math students. It was an inspiring event, and students left energized about their futures.
We are always proud to recognize the accomplishments of our exceptional alumni. If you know an alum deserving of recognition, please consider nominating them for an Achievement Award.
Mathematics 4 updates
Mathematics 4 (M4), our new math building, is beginning to take shape before our eyes. Its frame and distinctive shape are now clearly visible to those traversing the math quad, and the excitement on campus is building.
In past M4 updates, we have told you about the research and education M4 is enabling (1,2). In this issue's M4 update, we wanted to tell you a little bit more about the building’s architecture–both the innovative solar chimney and the mathematical optimization techniques that were used in its construction.
Winston Churchill once said, “we shape our buildings and afterwards our buildings shape us.” We have seen the truth of this statement before in the Faculty of Mathematics–consider, for instance, how the Red Room influenced generations of students, many of whom went on to exert tremendous influence in the world of mathematics and computing. We expect M4 to create a similar legacy by empowering students and researchers to solve global problems.
In addition to the stories already mentioned, our fall issue features:
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A profile of alum Dr. Zainab Abdurrahman (MMath '03), who recently became the first Black female president of the Ontario Medical Association.
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A story about the famous CS 452 “Trains” course–known for its difficulty but also beloved by our alumni. If you have a CS 452 memory, please share it with us at mathalumni@uwaterloo.ca.
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Thank you for being part of our vibrant community. I hope you enjoy this issue of E-Ties, and I look forward to connecting with many of you in the months to come.
