Community

Tuesday, November 12, 2024

Connecting kids with nature for a greener future

by Beth Bohnert, Office of Advancement

Splashing through a creek in her rubber boots. Creating leaf pattern transfers with crayons. Enjoying the outdoors with friends. These are just some of the happy memories University of Waterloo staffer Sophia Diebold has of her childhood experiences at the rare Charitable Research Reserve.  

Tuesday, November 12, 2024

Rogers scholarships help make students' dreams come true

by Claire Mastrangelo, Office of Advancement

More than 20 first-year students are pursuing their education at the University of Waterloo with support from Rogers. The University’s long-time partner delivers the Ted Rogers Scholarships, including the $100,000 Legacy Scholarship for students in STEM-focused programs and the $26,800 Future Leader Scholarship. The national awards program recognizes academic excellence and community leadership in students facing financial need, with preference on equity-deserving students.  

Monday, November 11, 2024

Waterloo alum inspires student innovations in women’s health

by Angelica Marie Sanchez, University Relations

University of Waterloo alum and founder of Hyivy Health, Rachel Bartholomew (MBET ’14), returned to campus as a collaborator of Velocity and FemTech Canada’s Innovation Challenge, where more than 100 students formed teams to address three critical areas of women’s health: menopause, gynecological health and breast health.  

Rachel Bartholomew speaking at the FemTech Innovation Challenge

Thursday, November 7, 2024

Remembrance Day 2024

by Vivek Goel, President and Vice-Chancellor

Living in a free, open, and just society requires all of us to do our part. November 11 is Remembrance Day, a reminder to honour those who have made the ultimate sacrifice in defense of these freedoms. From communities across the country, brave men and women have served in both peacetime and war. 

Their efforts are why I wear a poppy this month. 

In a landscape where well-funded companies with substantial computational resources dominate, student founders must rapidly test their ideas to stay competitive.

Wednesday, November 6, 2024

Celebrating 20 years of architectural excellence in the Cambridge community

by Charlotte Danby, Faculty of Engineering

In 2004, the University of Waterloo’s School of Architecture moved from the Waterloo campus to a repurposed silk mill in Cambridge, Ontario, to expand its facilities. The school’s new location in the heart of historic Galt was supported by the City of Cambridge and local businesses who recognized its potential to revitalize the municipality’s downtown core.  

Wednesday, November 6, 2024

New AI chatbot could be the ‘door’ to mental health

by Mayuri Punithan, Cheriton School of Computer Science

A University of Waterloo student developed an AI-powered app to help people exhibiting early signs of a mental health condition. 

Described as “your daily mental health coach,” the app, Doro, offers 30-minute chat sessions where users can express their concerns and feelings about anything. From feeling overwhelmed with an assignment to self-esteem issues, the chatbot can suggest various cognitive and behavioural techniques commonly used by therapists like journaling, exposure or mindfulness.  

Wednesday, November 6, 2024

Building a strong community for educational innovation

by Sarah Seabrook, Office of the Associate Academic Vice President and Teaching Innovation Incubator

The University of Waterloo is known for being one of the world’s leading innovative research institutions. However, the University also has a strong commitment to advancing teaching excellence and pedagogical innovation.

Monday, November 4, 2024

Advancing X-ray technology around the world

by Darren McAlmont, University Relations

Since its founding in 2015, KA Imaging, a Waterloo spinoff, has been revolutionizing X-ray technology in Canada and around the world. 

The company was founded by three visionary Waterloo alumni: Amol Karnick (BASc ’95), Sina Ghanbarzadeh (MASc ’14, in memoriam) and Dr. Karim Karim (BASc ’99, PhD ’03) who all had a goal to create significant social impact by advancing X-ray imaging technology. 

Today, KA Imaging has grown to more than 50 employees, with its innovative products being utilized in 10 countries across three continents. 

Monday, November 4, 2024

Reimaging the pursuit of (sustainable) happiness

by Chantal Vallis, Faculty of Environment

The thrill of same-day delivery, binging Netflix or having food delivered straight to your door is satisfying and a perfect dopamine hit in the digital age. It is also a form of happiness rooted in consumerism, where convenience is everything. However, these quick fixes come at a cost: our deeper well-being and the collective health of society and the environment.