Community

The first version of Siri didn’t recognize a woman's voice.

This fact appalled many in the room, but it likely surprised few of the leaders, students, faculty, staff and community partners gathered on Waterloo’s campus as part of HeforShe’s latest Get Free university tour. Nearly everyone seemed in agreement, we’ve come a long way towards equity for all genders, but there is a long way to go.

You can’t miss it—the Columbia Icefield Field House (CIF Field House) is officially open for business. Highlighted with an exterior that glows gold, the $16.5 million building is adding another 65,000 square feet of recreational space to Waterloo’s ever-growing campus.

The new method, called SMERTI (pronounced: “Smarty”), enables virtual assistants (VA) to use natural language and emotional cues that change depending on the relationship and situations they are used. The result allows for the development of VAs that better connect with people they are used to help.

The University of Waterloo has officially opened its new $16.5 million, 65,000 square foot Field House.

Known as the Columbia Icefield Field House, the new facility includes a large, multi-activity turf area, which can be divided into three to accommodate multiple activities simultaneously.

How do you top the surprise arrival of a Canadian military helicopter carrying special operations soldiers who slide down ropes as it hovers right outside?

About 1,500 young people might just find out this weekend when they come together at the University of Waterloo for Hack the North, a three-day whirlwind of activity that is the largest hackathon in Canada and one of the largest in North America.

Mitchell Catoen, Devon Copeland, David Ferris, and Rareș Topor-Gosman, who all graduated from Waterloo’s mechatronics engineering program last spring, are up against five other teams, whittled down from over 100,000, in the final leg of the 2019 Hult Prize challenge, the world’s largest student social entrepreneurship competition. 

I feel as though this is an unconventional post on this blog, because unlike most people on here, I am not an alumnus. I haven’t even started school, actually. This fall I’ll be moving into the University ofWaterloo, where I’ll be taking Mechatronics Engineering. I’m incredibly excited for the future, especially because both my parents graduated from here and I’ve been granted the amazing Schulich Leader Scholarship.

Mark your calendar — it’s almost time for the new Alumni Black and Gold Day! Join us on Saturday, September 28, for exciting new alumni events, along with your favourite activities from years past.

Whether you choose to catch a flick at the cinema or on your sofa, you might find that Waterloo alumni shape your next movie-watching experience. Meet some of the creative minds who are transforming the entertainment industry.

I spent 25 years in full-time parish ministry.