Occasional updates, comments, and reflections from President Feridun Hamdullahpur
I have had the pleasure of meeting tens of thousands of University of Waterloo alumni over the years. The majority of them I meet the moment they become alumni as they walk across the stage at Convocation and we have a chance to chat for a moment about their time at Waterloo, what their future plans are and, yes, take a selfie or two.
As I reflect on International Women’s Day, this year feels different. Not simply because of the fundamental shifts in our everyday lives due to the pandemic, but because our society has undergone a significant shift over the past year.
We can be proud that our University and society have been able to acknowledge and work towards long-term policy and societal changes in the name of equity. We can and should be proud of these accomplishments, but despite all the progress that we have made, systemic inequities and injustices persist in our institution and in our society.
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
The past year has been framed around one thing: the COVID-19 pandemic. It has shaped and reshaped virtually everything we’ve done as a society, and rightly so. This disruption was certainly felt at the recent World Economic Forum (WEF).
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.
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