Future students

Three years ago, in front of a large gathering on campus, we made Waterloo’s first formal commitment to reconciliation, Indigenization, and decolonization. It was a moving moment and a highlight of my presidency. It was also only the beginning of a much longer journey. 

This year, as we once again mark the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, I am reminded of how far we have come and how much work still lies ahead. While this year's ceremony is my last one as President and Vice-Chancellor, I know that the University’s commitment will continue.

In Dr. Dale Martin’s lab at the University of Waterloo, his team is leading biomedical research, making innovative advancements in treating neurodegenerative diseases, including Huntington disease and ALS.

Among the team is Yusra Kureshi (BSc ’25), recipient of the 2025 Huntington Society of Canada (HSC) Student Fellowship. Kureshi first joined the Martin lab in January as a volunteer, where her potential as a researcher quickly stood out.

Canada’s largest student-led hackathon returned to the University of Waterloo for its annual weekend of intense innovation. More than 1000 student hackers from around the world gathered at the Faculty of Engineering to experience 36 hours of fast builds and fun games. 

In keeping with the Hack the North motto, Dream Big and Build, this year’s student organizing team added exciting new elements to pull people together and encourage more play. These included the inaugural Waterloo Tech Week, Goose Games and an attempt to break a Guinness World Record which succeeded! 

An eclectic mix of 30 students joined forces at the University of Waterloo to participate in this year’s Sustainability and Social Entrepreneurship Fellowship (SSEF) program, hosted by the Pearl Sullivan Engineering Ideas Clinic and developed in partnership with Halton Region.  

The annual, nine-week program challenges students from Waterloo and abroad to explore ideas for improved urban development and present innovative solutions that address the impact of climate change and mitigate further environmental damage.    

Homecoming has a long and rich history. The annual celebration has gone by several different names over the years including Wa-Wa-Wee (Waterloo Warriors Weekend), Reunion, Alumni Black and Gold Day and Rally Weekend. The festivities have been running since the early 1960s and have always been focused on bringing together the University of Waterloo community and building school spirit.

Founders from the University of Waterloo raised more than $14 billion USD in venture capital, according to the latest 2025 rankings by PitchBook, a company that tracks global venture capital and private equity markets. Waterloo’s entrepreneurial ecosystem continues to make an impact locally and globally with more than 639 founders launching 527 companies.

The University of Waterloo is pleased to welcome 10 outstanding students to its incoming first-year class through the prestigious Schulich Leader Scholarships program.  

Awarded annually to 100 high school graduates across Canada, these scholarships recognize exceptional individuals who demonstrate strong entrepreneurial potential in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM). Each Schulich Leader receives between $100,000 and $120,000, empowering them to pursue their academic goals with financial peace of mind. 

Students and entrepreneurial researchers are drawn to the University of Waterloo for its distinctive innovation ecosystem. Whether you're committed to creating social change, developing early-stage inventions or launching a commercial venture that’s poised to make waves, Waterloo offers the right support at every stage of the journey. 

Leveraging Waterloo’s renowned co-op program, students are making a significant impact in the business and technology sector with transformative innovations.  

As more consumers choose to support local shops over big-box chains, Waterloo co-op students at Faire — an online wholesale platform connecting independent retailers with unique brands — are helping build tools that strengthen local economies and empower small businesses to thrive.