Occasional updates, comments, and reflections from President Feridun Hamdullahpur
Black History Month is a time for reflection and celebration. It is also a time to learn, collaborate and act for needed systemic changes inside and outside of our community.
Highlighting our Black community and areas for positive change
Remembrance Day is a time of reflection for those who call Canada home. We remember those who have fought. We remember those who have and continue to serve. And, we remember the countless who paid the ultimate sacrifice in the name of protecting our nation and our way of life.
It has been a year filled with extraordinary challenges, stress, anxiety and difficult decisions none of us thought we’d have to make. Not a day has gone by that I have not thought about the safety of our University of Waterloo community, and top of mind has been our community’s mental health. Many of us have dealt with and continue to deal with sleepless nights brought on by worry and apprehension – I know I have.
Now is the time for us to come together. Now is the time for us to look out for one another. Now is the time to thrive.
Every Fall, I have the privilege of welcoming our community together at the annual President’s Town Hall to provide an update on the state of the University and give a brief glimpse at the future. As we all continue to grapple with uncertainty and change, coming together has never been more important.
I want to start by thanking everyone in the University of Waterloo community for what has been a strong start to this very unique Fall Term. It has certainly offered its own obstacles but also successes for our University.
Today is the start of a new academic year for thousands of students, faculty and staff who make up the University of Waterloo community. I think many of us are craving a fresh start knowing full well the coming fall term will offer new experiences and some new challenges.
We have all been pushed and stressed by the past six months. I certainly feel it and see it. At the same time, we continue learning, working and creating because we believe in pursuing new knowledge and meeting the needs of our community.
Again, this week the world is reacting to an awful act of police brutality in the United States with the shooting of Jacob Blake. Closer to home, many are still searching for answers in the death of Regis Korchinski-Paquet. I continue to be deeply disturbed by these tragedies and other racist acts of violence against Black people that are happening across the world every day, including here in Waterloo.
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