The University of Waterloo is a leading global research-intensive university and home to transformational research and inspired learning. Waterloo researchers recently received more than $10 million as part of $693.8 million in funding awarded on June 14 to support discovery and applied research.
Taking your temperature can often help a healthcare practitioner figure out if you’re sick. A new University of Waterloo spinoff company aims to do something similar with your eyes.
ThermOcular AI, a company started by Waterloo vision science and engineering researchers, aims to bring a patented thermal imaging system to market that can measure in detail the temperature of the cornea, the transparent part of the eye that domes over the iris and pupil. The novel device could be used to screen for dry eye and potentially other ocular diseases.
Convocation is a time of immense pride and celebration across campus. This year, 13 outstanding students have been chosen to represent the graduating Class of 2024.
Below they share parts of their academic journey filled with innovation, growth and resilience.
Natasha J. Chen
This spring marks a significant milestone for WatSPEED, the University of Waterloo’s professional, executive and corporate education arm, as the team celebrates 1,000 days in operation.
WatSPEED's journey over the past 1,000 days includes the launch of flagship courses in generative AI, data science and machine learning, as well as enhanced partnerships and impactful events that support the unit's commitment to equipping Canadians with essential skills to navigate the evolving workforce.
To build artificial intelligence you need droves of data. But if your data isn’t clean, the intelligence it produces won’t be either. AI systems learn from the data they are trained on, so any errors or inconsistencies in the data can lead to incorrect or unreliable outcomes. According to IBM, data scientists spend around 80 per cent of their time cleaning and organizing data, highlighting the importance of clean data in AI development.
Aspiring entrepreneurs have long benefited from the innovation ecosystem at the University of Waterloo, an environment where entrepreneurship and innovation excel amidst a unique blend of co-op, work-integrated learning opportunities and customized wrap-around supports.
This traditional innovation ecosystem, however, wasn’t reaching the needs of aspiring Indigenous entrepreneurs.
For almost 50 years, Kitchener-Waterloo Oktoberfest has recognized the achievements of local women with the Rogers Women of the Year Awards.
Following a sold-out ceremony on the evening of May 23, 2024, Kitchener-Waterloo Oktoberfest announced the winners and their accomplishments. This year’s recipients include a senior leader at the University of Waterloo, three alumni and a former member of Waterloo’s Board of Governors.
Keith Cleland (MASc ‘22)
Student, Faculty of Engineering
> Founder, Aqua-Cell Energy
> Velocity
As someone born and raised in Calgary, Keith Cleland initially thought he would end up working in the oil industry. “Being from Alberta, that seemed like the natural thing to do,” he says.
Nfinite Nanotech has raised $6.5 million USD in seed funding to scale its nanomaterial product: a coating for sustainable and biodegradable food packaging that will help divert plastic waste from landfills. The University of Waterloo startup is developing an ultrathin and high-performance material for consumer-packaged goods, like granola bar wraps and potato chip bags, that keeps them fresh longer without the use of excessive non-biodegradable plastic packaging.
On May 11, University of Waterloo students were invited to participate in the GOODHack24 challenge held at Communitech in downtown Kitchener. The hackathon challenge offered a space for students to brainstorm, explore and develop innovative solutions at the intersection of open data, technology and local sustainable resources to support affected communities experiencing heat inequity.
GOODHack24 was co-hosted by the City of Kitchener, Go Open Data (GOOD) and GreenHouse, a social incubator at United College.