News
University of Waterloo places second place at the prestigious Munich Re Cup
The Department of Statistics and Actuarial Science is pleased to congratulate the University of Waterloo team on their success at the 2026 Munich Re Cup. The Munich Re Cup is the premier actuarial science student case competition in North America, with a total of $20,000 of prize money handed out each year. The University of Waterloo team delivered an impressive performance, winning second place and $6,000 of prize money.
Out of 22 initial teams, the University of Waterloo team – consisting of actuarial science students Joanna Li, Adrian Lock, and Michelle Ng, and faculty advisors Emily Kozlowski and James Adcock – was one of six finalist teams that competed against teams coming from top-tier actuarial programs across North America at the two-day, in-person final round of the case competition in Toronto.
This year’s case topic was GenAI, and teams were tasked with creating a comprehensive AI-driven technology solution to transform the underwriting and claims processes at a medium-sized life insurer. The depth of the Waterloo team’s technical knowledge, cost-benefit analysis, and understanding of different stakeholders’ perspectives – along with their excellent handling of questions during the Q&A portion – were all praised by the judges at Munich Re. Congratulations to the team on this well-earned achievement!
Department of Statistics and Actuarial Science hosts Florence Nightingale Day
The event was aimed at girls and students from underrepresented groups, but welcomed any students from Grades 10-12 across the Waterloo Region who were interested in exploring statistics and data science.
Dr. Mu Zhu appointed first associate dean for AI Strategy
“I expect my main role will be to help build up our reputation in AI-related research for the Math Faculty,” Zhu says.
Doing good really does pay: the financial case for sustainable investing
UWaterloo researcher Tony Wirjanto finds that investment strategies built on ESG principles deliver stronger, more resilient returns — even during times of economic stress.
Read the full story on the School of Accounting and Finance website.
Historical additions: a look back at the construction of Waterloo Math
In honour of Math 4, we’re looking back at the other buildings on Waterloo’s “Math Campus,” and how they came to be.
Cindy Forbes receives Honorary Doctor of Mathematics from the University of Waterloo
The University of Waterloo is proud to announce that Cindy Forbes was awarded an Honorary Doctor of Mathematics, one of the university’s highest honours, in recognition of her exceptional leadership, professional achievement, and profound service to both the university and broader society.
The honorary degree was awarded during the Faculty of Mathematics convocation ceremony on Friday, October 24, 2025, where the University community celebrated Forbes’s outstanding contributions to both her profession and society.
2024 Outstanding Performance Awards winners named
Created in 2005, the Outstanding Performance Awards recognize excellence in teaching and scholarship from faculty members across all of the University of Waterloo’s Faculties.
Events
Statistics seminar: Pratheepa Jegannathan
Pratheepa Jegannathan
McMaster University
Room: M3 3127
Actuarial Science and Financial Mathematics seminar: Yanxin Liu
Yanxin Liu
University of Nebraska
Room: M3 3127
DataFest 2026
An undergraduate student data competition.
All members of your team need to register.
Learn more on the event page.
Statistics seminar: Yi Zhao
Yi Zhao
Indiana University
Room: M3 3127
Statistics seminar: Aram Pooladian
Aram Pooladian
Yale University
Room: M3 3127