Talent

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.

On Friday, October 25, 2024, the University of Waterloo officially installed Dr. Jagdeep Singh Bachher (BASc '93, MASc '94, PhD '00) as its 12th chancellor, marking a new chapter in the University’s leadership. The chancellor serves as the University’s ceremonial head, representing the institution at public events, presiding over convocation ceremonies and conferring degrees, diplomas and certificates. 

A passion for art and drawing led Nicole Cao to pursue a degree in architecture, a journey that has now led to graduate studies at Yale University. Studying at the University of Waterloo’s School of Architecture and living in Cambridge, Ontario provided Cao with unique experiences that inspired a desire to continue learning and researching in her field. 

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.

For Aparajita Bhattacharya, who is graduating with a Master of Arts degree in Public Issues Anthropology, the interdisciplinary nature of her graduate student experience opened doors to new research paths and an exciting future.  

With a background in data science and a passion for anthropology, particularly bioarchaeology, Bhattacharya’s research explored how bioinformatics can be integrated with anthropology and bioarchaeology to answer questions about infectious disease in the ancient past, and the social and cultural contexts in which they emerged.  

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.

For Tia Lewis, who graduates this October with a Bachelor of Mathematics in Actuarial Science and Statistics (Finance specialization), her career is the result of years of hard work, mentorship and real-life experience.  

The University of Waterloo's Cybersecurity and Privacy Institute (CPI) hosted its annual conference on October 10, 2024, bringing together academic and industry experts to address pressing cybersecurity issues in Canada.  

The conference panels didn’t hold back and started with an important discussion on the potential for cyberattacks and how financial institutions can safeguard customer data in this evolving digital landscape.

Benjie Thomas (PDAcc '98), is the new CEO of KPMG in Canada and his path to getting there is a testament to the power of education, determination and the opportunities that lie within Waterloo’s co-op program. Thomas’s journey from the School of Accounting and Finance (SAF) to one of the most influential figures in Canadian business is a story of dedication, leadership and commitment to excellence.

Thomas's decision to pursue his studies at Waterloo was driven by two key factors: The University's renowned reputation for CPA success and its robust co-op program.