University President

Canadians have grown accustomed to having personal and community health information at their fingertips, via devices and apps that literally put our health in our hands. For the most part these are welcome innovations. But what if you’re someone who has no access, or limited access, to technology? It’s a conundrum with growing implications for social equity and community health.

March 21 is the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination. It is an opportunity to reflect on the actions we can take to advance anti-racism, equity and inclusion, not just today, but throughout the year.

As places of higher learning, universities have an obligation and opportunity to take leadership in this area. We play an important role in educating our students and the public about the inequalities and injustices that continue to pervade society. We also have a responsibility to address these issues on our own campuses and in our communities.

I am delighted to introduce my first edition of the annual Global Impact Report. It has been inspiring to learn about the history of the University and its unconventional founding. Our institution was founded by local community leaders to meet the many challenges of the day and to propel the region, and our nation, forward.

Being unconventional has fostered a spirit of curiosity and taking risks — to not only generate new ideas through research excellence but convert those ideas to create something that has a positive impact on the world.

The first International Women’s Day gathering took place more than a century ago in 1911. Today it is a global movement celebrating the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women.   

The day also marks a call to action for accelerating women's equality. Over the past hundred years, we as a society have made great strides, but there is still much more work to do.  

A terrible tragedy is unfolding before the world as President Putin, the leader of a militarized totalitarian regime, continues his unprovoked assault on Ukraine and its people.   

University of Waterloo is unwavering in our solidarity with the innocent victims of this invasion, and we stand in support of those who are calling for an end to the invasion.  

Before becoming the President and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Waterloo last year, Vivek Goel supported Canada’s response to the pandemic as a member of the Federal COVID-19 Immunity Task Force. He also served as scientific advisor for the CanCOVID Network, which is a national network of researchers in the areas of health, science and policy created to promote collaboration on COVID-19 research. As we face Omicron, the latest variant of concern, Dr. Goel discusses the ways it has changed the pandemic, its impact on society, and what to do about it. 

The past year has presented many new challenges at home and around the globe — prompting us all to be ever agile and resilient. As we close out 2021, we can all be proud of the many contributions made by our Waterloo community to combat the coronavirus and to sustain high levels of education and research excellence. This list of stories — inspired by our quest to develop talent for a complex future, advance research, and strengthen sustainable and diverse communities — is by no means exhaustive, but is a sampling of the tremendous impact of our students, faculty and staff.

As we head into the end-of-term break, I want to remind you that it is especially important to take care of yourselves and one another. The pandemic has presented many challenges and I urge you all to use this break for rest, reflection and rejuvenation. For anyone that needs it, Campus Wellness is running some sessions in January to help you manage anxiety, break free from low moods and strategies to thrive post-pandemic.

Remembrance Day is an important day of reflection in Canada and many countries around the world.

November 11^th marks the anniversary of the formal end of the First World War hostilities. On this day we remember and honour all the individuals who have and continue to serve in Canada’s Armed Forces through times of war, armed conflict and peace.