News

The Global Business and Digital Arts (GBDA) Entrance Scholarship at the University of Waterloo supports students from disadvantaged backgrounds, helping them focus on their studies and campus life without financial burden. The scholarship boosts confidence and sense of belonging, with recipients like Lia expressing deep gratitude and commitment to giving back.

Learn more about the GBDA Entrance Scholarship, and join us on May 15th for Giving Day, encouraging donations to support educational initiatives.

Three student-designed installations will be featured within Destination Stratford’s Welcome Centre.

46 students from the course “GBDA 412 – Special Topics in Digital Culture” were challenged to create large-scale interactive media art pieces for the Lights On festival, inspired by the Thirteen Grandmother Moons stories, an Indigenous knowledge tradition. Students drew inspiration from this tradition to create installations that explore light as a symbol of knowledge, community, and continuity.

Dr. Ville Mäkelä and colleagues at Waterloo’s Stratford School of Interaction Design and Business are redefining education through Canada’s first large-scale VR-based 3D design course. Using tools like Gravity Sketch and immersive headsets, their innovative approach blends creativity and technology, preparing students for the future of digital design. This initiative sets new standards for interactive learning and showcases Waterloo’s leadership in VR education.

100 years after The Great Gatsby, GBDA alum Kristen Fajardo releases a speculative, queer cyberpunk reimagining of the American classic. Her background in UX and the tech industry shaped both the novel’s content and the entrepreneurial strategies behind its launch.

At the 2025 Celebration of Arts, Dr. Noorin Manji was honoured with the Arts Award for Excellence in Teaching for her outstanding contributions to pedagogy and mentorship.

Stratford community leaders and donors have come together to support the next generation of creative talent through a $10,000 contribution to the Global Business and Digital Arts (GBDA) Entrance Scholarship at the University of Waterloo. Spearheaded by former Stratford Mayor Dan Mathieson and former MPP John Wilkinson, the initiative provides $5,000 annually for two years to a deserving student facing financial barriers. The scholarship reflects Waterloo’s commitment to experiential education, creativity, and access, and highlights the power of local philanthropy to shape global futures.

Henriëtta van Niekerk and her startup Skrimp.ai secured the E-Launch Award of $5,000 from the University of Waterloo's Enterprise Co-op program.

The Stratford School is proud to share that Dr. Daniel Harley is among the 2024 Outstanding Performance Award recipients.

Naimah Venezia (BGBDA ’25) began her entrepreneurial journey at age seven, inspired by her brother and the book “Rich Dad, Poor Dad.” She founded CoinWa, a gamified financial literacy app for teens, to make financial education fun and accessible. The Global Business and Digital Arts (GBDA) program at the University of Waterloo equipped her with essential skills in business, technology, and design. Through the E-Co-op program, Naimah developed CoinWa with support from mentors and employed fellow students. As she graduates, Naimah aims to enhance financial literacy among young people, preparing them for future financial success.

Congratulations to Dr. Noorin Manji for receiving the Arts Award for Excellence in Teaching! Dean Alexie Tcheuyap and the Arts Honours and Awards committee are pleased to announce the results of the 2025 Arts Awards for Excellence in Service, Teaching, and Research. The awards recognize outstanding contributions from faculty and staff, with Dr. Manji being honored for her exemplary teaching over the past five years. The awards will be presented this Fall at the annual Celebration of Arts event.