Our Global Futures Networks facilitate connections between people, ideas, and resources across the University of Waterloo to advance the Global Futures through initiatives spanning education, research, and service.
Later this year, the University will establish a Global Futures Office to enable the Global Futures Networks to work with the campus community across three key areas:
IDENTIFY
The Global Futures Office will facilitate and support new or enhanced initiatives in engaging the appropriate units and resources across the University to move them through development and approval processes.
CONVENE and CONNECT
Global Futures Networks will spark connections for cross-institutional collaborative teams working on interdisciplinary projects in research, education, and service.
PROPEL
Providing expertise, a suite of professional shared services and developmental funding, the Global Futures Office will propel Global Futures initiatives to make the greatest impact for the future of humanity and our planet.
The Global Futures Office will be led by an Associate Vice-President, Global Futures, presently under recruitment (posting coming soon). The Office will drive collaboration with internal and external stakeholders across our Global Futures Networks with a focus on advancing initiatives that help the University shape our Global Futures.
Stay tuned for more communications and outreach events to engage with the Global Futures Networks.
Questions can be directed to Fayaz Noormohamed.
Background
In 2020, an Interdisciplinary Task Force Report identified key enablers and barriers to interdisciplinary initiatives at the University of Waterloo. More recently, the Report of the Provost’s Advisory Committee on Building a Resilient University of Waterloo underlined the importance of improving organizational efficiency, coordination, collaboration, processes, and structures if we are to be positioned to realize the strategic vision for Waterloo at 100. The notion of de-siloing and “One University” emerged among other recommendations that resonate strongly with the Global Futures.
In 2023, the strategic vision for Waterloo’s future carried with it guiding principles. These serve to guide the work of the Global Futures: Rediscover Unconventional; Lead Globally, Act Locally; and Coordinate and Collaborate. Reinforcing these principles and emerging from the needs identified above, Waterloo’s Values were endorsed earlier this year: Think Differently, Act with Purpose, and Work Together. These values help underpin the ethos of the Global Futures Networks.