Global Sustainability Hub

Starting in 2023, the University of Waterloo partnered with Harvey Mudd College and the Turkstra Chair in Urban Design. The Sustainability and Social Engineering Fellowship aims to bring 3^rd year engineering students from around the world together to solve multiple sustainability projects.

In 2024, with the support of Andrew Farr, Commissioner of Public Works in Halton Region, and Douglas Wright, Engineer in Residence at the University of Waterloo, students from Tecnológico de Monterrey (Mexico), Harvey Mudd College (USA), Khalifa University (United Arab Emirates), and the University of Waterloo (Canada) are collaborating in Waterloo to explore the transition to a circular economy. Their focus is on ensuring that essential services such as water, wastewater, solid waste management, and transportation in Halton Region remain both environmentally and financially sustainable.

Through lectures delivered by various faculty members from the University of Waterloo and professionals from the public sector, students gain a comprehensive understanding of the region's infrastructure systems. Following the lectures, students are tasked with developing sustainable engineering solutions for Halton Region, culminating in a final presentation to regional officials.

Last year, in 2023 with the help of Kelly Scherr - the deputy city manager of environment and infrastructure in London, Ontario and the University of Waterloo’s Douglas Wright Engineer in Residence, 9 students from various schools including Tecnológico de Monterrey (Mexico), Harvey Mudd College (USA), Khalifa University (United Arab Emirates) and University of Prince Edward Island (Canada) came to Waterloo. Their mission was to explore and address the housing challenges in the City of London, aiming to help the city fulfill its pledge to build 47,000 units by 2031. For more information see the article Working together to solve problems.