Awards, Honours and Rankings

Balancing a demanding academic program with the intensity of varsity athletics takes vision, resilience and a strong community of support. For a fifth-year School of Planning student, Reka Somogyi, those have been the key ingredients to a successful journey at the University of Waterloo. This year, Somogyi is the recipient of the Environment Student-Athlete Award, recognizing her excellence in both sport and studies and her leadership within the Faculty of Environment.  

As a leader in health research, the University of Waterloo is home to extraordinary researchers who collaborate across fields, turning complex, interconnected challenges into opportunities for global change.

Two research projects have been awarded more than $4 million from the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) to improve national-level food policies and make continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) devices more accessible.

Two alumni and two honorary alumni are among those being appointed to the Order of Canada this year.

The latest appointees include Janice J. Eng (PhD ’94), Susan Phillips (MA ’79), Justice Rosalie Silberman Abella (LLD ’90) and Patricia O’Malley (LLD ’16). Their achievements span health research, public policy, accounting standards and human rights law, reflecting Waterloo’s impact across disciplines and sectors.

This year brought countless reasons to celebrate as Waterloo students, alumni and researchers took bold new steps to innovate and create solutions for a complex future. 

As we wrap up 2025, we reflect with pride and share just a glimpse of student success, on-campus initiatives and groundbreaking research of our Waterloo community. 

For 18 years in a row, the University of Waterloo has been recognized as Research University of the Year in the comprehensive category by Research Infosource Inc. The achievement reflects Waterloo’s ongoing commitment to solving the world’s most pressing challenges through research collaboration, innovation and impact.

The University of Waterloo’s Faculty of Engineering recognized the remarkable professional achievements of three alumni at this year’s Engineering Awards Dinner. 

Hosted by Dean Mary Wells, the event highlighted how Waterloo Engineering alumni are driving sustainable innovation, strengthening communities and mentoring the next generation through research, entrepreneurship and design. 

The recipients of this year’s awards are: 

Dr. Vikramaditya (Vikram) Yadav — Alumni Achievement Medal for Professional Achievement  

The University of Waterloo has long been a key driver of innovation, fostering entrepreneurs whose ventures shape industries and enrich communities — with alumni leading some of the region’s most vibrant and creative businesses.

Three accomplished women with strong ties to the University of Waterloo were named to a list of the most powerful women in Canada.

The Women’s Executive Network (WXN) recently released the 2025 Canada’s Most Powerful Women: Top 100 Award Winners, and a Waterloo educator and two alumni appear on the list that recognizes women across Canada for their leadership and positive influence.

Convocation is more than a ceremony — it’s a celebration of perseverance, growth and achievement. Each year, family, friends and the University of Waterloo community come together to honour graduates as they cross the stage and step into the next chapter of their journeys. 

For the second year, graduate students have been selected as valedictorians for fall convocation ceremonies. These exceptional scholars have not only excelled in their academic pursuits but have also made meaningful contributions to their communities through research, leadership and service. 

The road to earning a degree is challenging. It takes hard work, courage and dedication. And in this year's graduating class, I have also witnessed their curiosity about the world, their drive to shape a better future, and their resilience through challenging times. As the Class of 2025 crosses the stage, we celebrate their accomplishments and journeys to get to this milestone. The degrees they’ve earned are a culmination of lessons, relationships and experiences.