Global Futures

In 2004, the Multi-Scale Additive Manufacturing (MSAM) Lab at the University of Waterloo was a small, 150 square foot, windowless space. Today, it has expanded to become the largest metal additive manufacturing (AM) academic research lab in Canada, with more than $25 million in infrastructure, and is one of the most comprehensive university-based metal AM facilities globally.  

A photon detector module designed, assembled and programmed at University of Waterloo’s Institute for Quantum Computing (IQC) launched into space earlier this week aboard a SpaceX flight and will soon arrive at the International Space Station. It will be used for quantum entanglement science experiments as part of the Space Entanglement and Annealing Quantum Experiment (SEAQUE) implemented by an international consortium under leadership from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. 

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. 

Solar panels have the power to make the aviation industry greener than it’s ever been, but they can also impose challenges for pilots and air traffic control. Fortunately, University of Waterloo researchers are discovering ways to make this vital source of clean energy work for airports around the world.

What sets the University of Waterloo apart is our commitment to collaboration across disciplines that bring together expertise from all corners of campus to drive innovation.

Donors, alumni, faculty, staff and students gathered on October 28 to celebrate the official groundbreaking for Mathematics 4 (M4), the new Faculty of Mathematics building that begins construction this fall.

The five-storey, 120,000 square foot building will serve as the heart of the mathematics district on campus, and include increased classroom space, labs and a cutting-edge eco-friendly server room, called the Green Room.

The University of Waterloo's Cybersecurity and Privacy Institute (CPI) hosted its annual conference on October 10, 2024, bringing together academic and industry experts to address pressing cybersecurity issues in Canada.  

The conference panels didn’t hold back and started with an important discussion on the potential for cyberattacks and how financial institutions can safeguard customer data in this evolving digital landscape.

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.