Community

University of Waterloo alumni make up a powerful global network of more than 255,000 graduates. While alumni live around the world in 157 countries, they are all connected by one alumni network.

Dozens of volunteer-driven alumni chapters and global ambassadors are dedicated to uniting alumni, fostering community and cultivating collaboration to make a positive impact on the world.

Many founders find it challenging in the early stages of their business due to limited access to non-dilutive funding. Here enters Velocity — the centre of entrepreneurship at the University of Waterloo — with a solution to the problem since 2008.  

A new collaboration between the University of Waterloo and the City of Iqaluit is allowing students to apply their skills to real-world challenges — all while making a tangible difference in the North.

The partnership was possible through i-Capstone — the University of Waterloo’s first interdisciplinary undergraduate capstone program. Designed to unite students from every faculty, i-Capstone enables students to tackle complex problems facing Canadian communities — like sustainable housing, infrastructure and integrated urban planning — all for academic credit.

Before Velocity became the centre of entrepreneurship at the University of Waterloo, it was a group of innovative students living in the Waterloo dorm life and hosting weekly meetups at Minota Hagey, also known as Velocity residence. Today, thousands of students from all backgrounds take part in Velocity’s experiential entrepreneurship learning program.  

Many of the world’s leading innovation ecosystems share a common feature: a world-class research university at their core. The University of Waterloo has played a pivotal role in establishing the Waterloo region as a premier innovation ecosystem in Canada. 

For 20 years, the Co-op Student of the Year awards have celebrated Waterloo’s most outstanding co-op students. From using artificial intelligence (AI) to help combat microbial resistance to enhancing patient care and integrating sustainability into logistics, this year’s award winners are making real-world impact that extends far beyond the workplace. 

Jordan Lin (BASc ’22) is a rising star in the global effort to tackle climate change.  

Partnerships play a critical role in educating the leaders of tomorrow.  

Since its inception, the Loran Scholars Foundation has worked with the University of Waterloo to support some of Canada’s most promising students. Selected for their leadership qualities and their commitment to serve their communities, Loran Scholars receive awards worth up to $100,000 over four years to support their education and their vision for a better world.   

For Chris Trothen (BMath ’75), being a university student was about more than classes.

“The University, in many cases, is a very special place when you are growing up ... learning how to be an adult,” said Chris. “The studies were important, but I was more interested in learning about how life worked.”