Social and Economic Prosperity

Students often dream of working in another country where they can explore a new culture while growing their skills. However, salaries for co-op positions abroad may not cover the costs of flights and housing, making these roles inaccessible for some students. 

Fortunately, Waterloo donors recognize the value of a work term abroad. Through gifts of all sizes, they are helping more students access international and non-profit opportunities they might not otherwise consider. The resulting co-op experiences can transform the lives of both students and the communities they work in.

When Asha R. received her acceptance letter from the University of Waterloo, it felt like a giant step toward a promising future. But just a few months into her first year, reality hit hard: Asha was struggling financially. Without assistance from her family, and despite working a part-time job on top of a full courseload, Asha could barely make rent.  

It has been 33 years since a gunman shot and killed 14 women at the École Polytechnique de Montréal on December 6, 1989. Below, two Waterloo Engineering alumni and a current student reflect on what the attack continues to mean for them as women in engineering.

‘We must never grow complacent’

Students facing barriers to higher education have a new resource to help them achieve their goals.

The Joyce Scholars Awards provide funding for learners in challenging financial or socio-economic circumstances. Open to students entering any program at the University of Waterloo, the awards can be renewed for up to four years.

Named fastest growing tech company in Canada on Deloitte’s 2021 Technology Fast 50, Snapcommerce was co-founded by University of Waterloo alumni Henry Shi (BCS ’14) and Hussein Fazal (BMath ’05). The company has more than 20 million users, $1 billion in sales, and grew by more than 32,000 per cent between 2017 and 2021.

Diversity in STEM is expanding with help from one of Canada’s largest financial institutions.

With a contribution of $1.04 million to the University of Waterloo, Scotiabank is providing support for talented researchers and students, including scholarships for students who are underrepresented in STEM fields. The investment is part of ScotiaRISE, the bank’s 10-year, $500 million initiative to promote economic resilience among disadvantaged groups.

From about the age of 10, Andrew D’Souza (BASc ’08) began to think of inventive ways to earn money. An early entrepreneur, whose family immigrated to Canada from India, D’Souza started providing his neighbours with services such as paper-delivery, lawn mowing and dog walking. Later, he took on part-time jobs to save for university because he wanted to avoid debt.