Community

Benjie Thomas (PDAcc '98), is the new CEO of KPMG in Canada and his path to getting there is a testament to the power of education, determination and the opportunities that lie within Waterloo’s co-op program. Thomas’s journey from the School of Accounting and Finance (SAF) to one of the most influential figures in Canadian business is a story of dedication, leadership and commitment to excellence.

Thomas's decision to pursue his studies at Waterloo was driven by two key factors: The University's renowned reputation for CPA success and its robust co-op program.

The University of Waterloo’s Cybersecurity and Privacy Institute (CPI) co-hosted an impactful event in Toronto that brought together government stakeholders, academic researchers and industry members from both the private and public sectors to explore how Canada can be a leader in AI innovation while respecting the important foundation of individual privacy.

September 30th marked the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation — a day to honour the lost children and Survivors of residential schools, their families and communities. The University of Waterloo commemorated the day with a Sunrise Ceremony, the official opening of the new Indigenous outdoor gathering space and the annual commitment polishing ceremony. Followed by a walk around Ring Road, soup lunch, traditional drumming and a round dance.

On a bright and sunny day two years ago, in front of a large gathering on the BMH Green, we joined members of the Indigenous community to recognize and celebrate Waterloo’s commitment to decolonization, indigenization and reconciliation. It was a momentous day, and just the first of many on a long journey ahead as we continue to work towards that commitment.

Warrior Field was a sea of black and gold on Saturday, September 21 for Homecoming, featuring the annual Battle of Waterloo football game.

More than 3,000 alumni, staff, students and community members filled the grandstands to cheer on the Warriors in a hard-fought 39-23 loss to the Laurier Golden Hawks.

Formerly Alumni Black and Gold Day, Homecoming is more than a football game for many alumni like Eric Celentano (BSc ’79). It’s a chance to connect with the University of Waterloo community.

Over the past eleven years, Hack the North has grown to become a major force in the world of hackathons. This year’s event saw more than 1,000 young inventors come together at the University of Waterloo to work together over 36 hours and create a dizzying array of software applications, hardware projects and gadgets. The competition was as fierce as ever, but there were also lots of opportunities to make connections and get inspired.

In an era where climate change is more visible than ever — rising urban temperatures, extreme weather events and increasing instances of poor air quality from wildfire smoke — the demand for accurate and trustworthy information is critical. The University of Waterloo, in collaboration with the Waterloo Climate Institute, hosted an impactful community lecture addressing this pressing issue.