Awards, Honours and Rankings

University of Waterloo alum and founder of Hyivy Health, Rachel Bartholomew (MBET ’14), returned to campus as a collaborator of Velocity and FemTech Canada’s Innovation Challenge, where more than 100 students formed teams to address three critical areas of women’s health: menopause, gynecological health and breast health.  

Researchers at the University of Waterloo’s Cybersecurity and Privacy Institute (CPI) will receive more than $1.5 million in funding from the National Cybersecurity Consortium (NCC), a federally incorporated not-for-profit organization — of which Waterloo is a founding institution — committed to the advancement of Canada’s cybersecurity ecosystem.

This achievement recognizes members of CPI as leaders in cybersecurity research and further propels the University in making global impact through collaborative and interdisciplinary approaches.

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

The Women’s Executive Network (WXN) recently released 2024 Canada’s Most Powerful Women: Top 100 Award Winners, and a Waterloo educator and researcher and two alumni appear on the list that recognizes women across Canada for their leadership and impact.

With jubilation and excitement, family, friends, faculty and staff came together this past weekend to recognize hard work and perseverance and usher more than 2,500 changemakers from students to alumni.

Behind the five ceremonies at the 129th convocation was a team of ambassadors, ushers, wayfinders, stage support and accessibility assistants, including 84 staff and alumni volunteers and 55 students who ensured a memorable experience for thousands of Waterloo graduates and their families.

Dr. Nyasha Gondora (PhD ’20) has been honored with the prestigious Canada's 2024 Top 100 Black Women to Watch award for her outstanding contributions. Canada International Black Women Excellence (CIBWE) recognizes Black Canadian women who are making a difference in their communities and professions.

Moving from Zimbabwe to Texas to Kitchener-Waterloo, Gondora’s journey instilled in her courage, adaptability and a deep appreciation for community.

“I was raised to value education and to make the most of every opportunity,” Gondara says.

The University of Waterloo is pleased to recognize three esteemed individuals with honorary degrees at the Fall 2024 Convocation.

An honorary doctorate is the highest honour conferred by the University with each degree awarded to individuals who inspire and demonstrate exceptional service and leadership within their discipline. Each recipient of the award this year has made significant impact on a local and global scale through their personal and professional experiences.

Convocation is a momentous occasion that honours the dedication and achievements of graduates. Family and friends come together with the University of Waterloo community to celebrate graduating students as they embark on exciting new adventures.

This year, graduate students will take the stage as valedictorians representing the Class of 2024 for the first time during the fall convocation ceremonies.

On October 9, 2024, during the fifth annual awards ceremony, Co-operative and Experiential Education (CEE) recognized co-op employers as award recipients and honourable mentions in six categories. Each of the winning employers shared insights into how their organizations impact student experiences while benefiting from Waterloo’s co-op student talent. 

Researchers at the University of Waterloo have received $2.5 million in funding to reimagine how waste materials — such as plastics, carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions, and agricultural residues — can be converted into marketable products.

The funding was awarded by the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) and the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC) as part of the National Science Foundation Global Centers initiative. Waterloo researchers are part of the Center for Innovative Recycling and Circular Economy (CIRCLE).