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The University of Waterloo officially launched its astrophysics centre today.

The Waterloo Centre for Astrophysics (WCA) is being launched to build on the University’s record of success in astrophysics, which includes the creation of the theories tested by the first-ever image of a black hole to be taken. The centre also aims to advance human understanding of phenomena such as dark energy, dark matter and the nature of supermassive black holes.

By Katrina Steckle

This September, Honours Science student Andre Wiederkehr moved into the Conrad Grebel University College residence at the University of Waterloo in a unique way—he biked. The second year student and his brother Theo biked the 90 kilometres from their home in near Mildmay, Ontario to Grebel in Waterloo, a trip that took them nearly eight hours. As for how he transported everything that he would need to live at Grebel, Andre gave a simple explanation: “I towed my belongings in a homemade bike trailer.”

A course created by a professor from University of Waterloo School of Pharmacy and the Centre for Extended Learning (CEL) was recognized by the national association for university continuing education. Entitled Management of Oral Anticoagulation Therapy – Online (MOAT Online), the course received the Non-credit Programming under 48 hours award at the annual conference of the Canadian Association for University Continuing Education (CAUCE).

Brad and George smiling and holding their motion.

In June, second year pharmacy students successfully presented two motions at the Ontario Pharmacists Association’s (OPA) Annual General Meeting (AGM). Rx2021s Bradley Grightmire and George Daskalakis introduced the motions to further strengthen OPA’s relationship with pharmacy students. OPA is the province’s pharmacy advocacy group; it serves as a resource to pharmacists and a voice for the profession in Ontario.

Waterloo Pharmacy faculty, alumni and students stand in front of a banner that says Women in Pharmacy Leadership Summit.

Conversations about female representation and leadership in STEM fields are increasingly common. Health care fields, including pharmacy, are no exception to these concerns, and to respond the Canadian Pharmacists’ Association hosted a summit for Women in Pharmacy Leadership, a workshop and networking event that brought together women from all areas of the Canadian pharmacy world. With support from the Future of Pharmacy Fund, the School of Pharmacy sent five students to attend. Alumni and faculty of the School also participated.

As its highest honour, the Canadian Academy of Engineering (CAE) maybestow the title of “Honorary Fellow” on any individual who has made anoutstanding contribution to the profession of engineering in Canada, another country or globally. This honour is bestowed on an individual for contributions well above what is expected for a Fellow of the Academy. The Board of the CAE has recently awarded University of Waterloo Professor Donna Strickland with Honorary Fellowship in the CAE.

Shadow of students in line at convocation with the University of Waterloo emblem in the background
The Faculty of Science held it's 118th Convocation ceremonies today to celebrate the achievements of two honorary degree recipients, 847 undergraduate, 57 Master's, and 25 PhD students. 

 Kendra Albert
“Appalled silence is too easily mistaken for assent.” This quote by Jennifer Peepas aptly exemplified the spirit of the HeForShe Ally Skills Workshop on May 22, 2019. In the context of the workshop, an ally is defined as, “someone who is a member of a privileged group working to end oppression and understand their own privilege.” The action part of this statement is important, noted Kendra Albert, the technology lawyer who was brought in to facilitate the workshop. Ally skills are actionable responses to oppression by someone with privilege, which is an unearned advantage given by society to some people, but not all.

Illustration of different genders
This past March, the Faculty of Science HeForShe committee asked students and staff members to ‘share your thoughts on the level of inclusivity and acceptance you have experienced being (female, male, trans, non-binary) in Waterloo Science.’ This was part of a week-long ‘Listening Tour’ to evaluate how Faculty is doing with respect to gender equity, and to give people a platform for sharing their experiences and concerns.