Co-op and Experiential Education

Unzila Shahzad, a University of Waterloo co-op student, recently wrote and published her own children’s book following a work term at SickKids Hospital. Shahzad’s book, Haseeb and Teddy: From Magic Boots to Magical Feet, adds a touch of magic to empower children with clubfoot while shedding light on the congenital condition. Clubfoot is present at birth which causes an infant’s foot to turn inward or downward because of a shortened Achilles tendon.  

From Gen Z to baby boomers, workspaces in Canada now span across four generations. Students engaging in work-integrated learning (WIL) and their employers need to learn from each other and how to effectively work together. As part of the World Association of Co-operative Education (WACE) 2023 World Conference hosted at the University of Waterloo, international leaders in industry, government and academia to share their collective wisdom on cultivating two-way learning opportunities. 

In a wide ranging and thought-provoking conversation, former Governor General and University of Waterloo President Emeritus David Johnston joined current President Vivek Goel to discuss how the workforce of the future can turn compassion into action. The fireside chat, part of the World Association of Co-operative Education (WACE) 2023 World Conference hosted at Waterloo, used Johnston’s new book “Empathy” as a starting point.

Keval Tripathi, a third-year electrical and computer engineering student at the University of Waterloo, has been soaking up the sun “Down Under” since February. He’s on a four-month study abroad experience at Griffith University in Queensland, Australia – the furthest from home he’s ever been – and loving it.

Convocation is a special time to celebrate a significant milestone. These 14 exceptional students have been chosen to represent the graduating class of 2023.

Below they share about their academic journey filled with innovation, resilience and passion.  

Why did you choose to study at the University of Waterloo?  

Thomass Muir

Convocation is a time of immense pride for our graduands as they celebrate their accomplishments with family and friends. Rachel Jung (BA ’23) will cross the stage this spring and receiving their Bachelor of Arts degree in Fine Arts and Arts and Business.

Alongside her academic career, Bumbulis was a competitive swimmer. She had been swimming competitively since she was eight, and by high school, she was swimming up to four hours a day, six days a week.

The following was written for the Business Reporter by Dr. Norah McRae, Associate Provost, Co-operative and Experiential Education.

A recent survey of global CEOs found that forty per cent fear that their organizations will not be economically viable in ten years.

Why?

52 per cent said that the global labour shortage is their biggest challenge, 49 per cent said it was the need to adapt to technological change.

Every March since 2016, students from Waterloo’s School of Pharmacy have been volunteering and visiting Region of Waterloo schools to educate the younger generation on what pharmacists do during Pharmacy Appreciation Month (PAM).

This year during PAM, 30 pharmacy students volunteered and presented to more than 400 elementary students across nine schools in the region.