Awards, Honours and Rankings

The University of Waterloo recognizes outstanding individuals with honorary doctorates at convocation each year, the highest honour conferred by the University. 

These honours celebrate individuals who embody Waterloo’s core values and demonstrate the leadership, innovation and impact that inspire our students to shape a better future for society, health, economies, technology and the environment. This fall, Waterloo is proud to recognize two alumni whose work strengthens communities and addresses global challenges with meaningful solutions. 

University of Waterloo researchers have received more than $4.3 million in funding from the Canada Foundation for Innovation (CFI), a non-profit corporation that support research infrastructure through the John R. Evans Leaders Fund (JELF).

As the top university in Canada for experiential learning, University of Waterloo co-op students help employers across multiple industries to tackle real-world challenges and build bold solutions. From improving rural health care to presenting innovative sustainability solutions, students are empowered by employers to make an impact in shaping a better future for all.  

The University of Waterloo is recognized for its rigorous research, entrepreneurial spirit and technological impact. It's part of a thriving regional ecosystem that has recently been recognized as a leader in North America in the annual Scoring Tech Talent 2025 report released by CBRE.

The University of Waterloo is pleased to welcome 10 outstanding students to its incoming first-year class through the prestigious Schulich Leader Scholarships program.  

Awarded annually to 100 high school graduates across Canada, these scholarships recognize exceptional individuals who demonstrate strong entrepreneurial potential in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM). Each Schulich Leader receives between $100,000 and $120,000, empowering them to pursue their academic goals with financial peace of mind. 

Six University of Waterloo researchers are being recognized as Royal Society of Canada (RSC) fellows and a member of the RSC College.

Two first-year engineering students are beginning their journeys at Waterloo with national recognition for their leadership and service. Named 2025 Loran Scholars, Edna Nortey and Aishwarya Tandon are ready to transform their passions — from city advocacy to youth mental health — into lasting change.

Heatwaves are an increasing threat in Canada, especially to vulnerable populations, including those with pre-existing health conditions, children, the elderly and those who lack the resources to beat the heat. Irfhana Zakir Hussain, a PhD candidate in the School of Public Health Sciences and Systems Design Engineering, is working to predict and map which Waterloo neighbourhoods are most at risk of harm during heatwaves using new and existing data.

Dr. Adel Sedra, Distinguished Professor Emeritus and past dean of the Faculty of Engineering, was named an Officer of the Order of Canada. He is among four people with connections to the University of Waterloo included in the list of new honourees.

Eight years ago, to celebrate Canada’s 150th anniversary, the Government of Canada invested $117 million to launch a new initiative aimed at enhancing Canada’s reputation as a global centre for science, research and innovation excellence. 

The Canada 150 (C150) Research Chairs program set out to attract top-tier internationally-based scholars and researchers to Canada – with two international researchers joining the University of Waterloo.