Community

The global 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence comes to a close today. However, we all share a collective responsibility to continue this activism beyond these 16 days. Gender-based violence happens in our own community and around the world. It is only when we stand together, raise awareness and take action that we have a chance to end this type of violence. 

The University today named Eleanor McMahon, CEO of Trans Canada Trail and former MPP for Burlington, as Vice-President, University Relations.

This fall, the University of Waterloo TEDx Team brought back their in-person conference after 5 years. The theme for this year’s conference was From the Ground Up, and it was all about inspiring the audience to forge their own unique paths, both personally and professionally. More than 180 attendees joined the event and seven speakers brought the theme to life with their fascinating stories, including four alumni.

December 6 marks the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women in Canada. Thirty-four years ago, 14 female engineering students were murdered at École Polytechnique de Montréal (now Polytechnique Montréal) in an act of gender-based violence, a manifestation of historical unequal power that creates barriers to limit the advancement of women and gender-diverse people.

For the past five years, the Waterloo Centre for Astrophysics (WCA) has created a research-rich atmosphere where the sky is (literally) the limit. Thanks to a generous donation by Mike Lazaridis, which enables a Distinguished Research Chair in Astrophysics, the centre has become an exciting hub of activity nestled in the physics building at the University of Waterloo.

By spreading quickly, outcompeting native species for resources, invasive species are becoming a serious threat to biodiversity. As part of the University of Waterloo’s Sustainable Land Care Standard, Waterloo is working towards managing invasive species and increasing native and ecologically appropriate plants across campus. 

Over the next week, I’m joining a University of Waterloo delegation on a trip to South Africa and Ghana. Meeting with post-secondary and government leaders, we hope to learn ways to create meaningful partnerships.

As the second-fastest growing region in the world, Africa has a bright future on the horizon. Working with partners across the continent, we are excited to explore ways we can co-create research and teaching opportunitiesthat benefit local communities across Africa and have a global impact.

To celebrate Giving Tuesday, 1,690 University of Waterloo supporters — including alumni, faculty, staff, retirees and friends — donated a whopping $705,621 this year! This is an amazing achievement that is only possible because of you. 

Thank you for empowering UWaterloo students and faculty to innovate, discover, explore and become the leaders who will help us seek the answers to the most pressing challenges we face today. 

On November 30th, the University of Waterloo community came together to support eight finalist teams as they pitched their business ideas for their chance at a slice of more than $20,000 in grants.

The Waterloo Engineering community rallied for Giving Tuesday on Nov. 28 to support two funds that empower students with the means to pursue their academic ambitions and prepare for professional success.  

In total, 183 donors supported the Waterloo Engineering funds with $61,230 in donations. 

95 donors supported the Engineering Student Teams Fund with a total of $28,460 in donations. 

88 donors supported The Equity Fund with a total of $32,770 in donations.