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Brandon Sweet
University Communications
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Register for Tuesday's online Research Talks about post COVID-19 health system decision-making
A message from the Office of Research.
Interested in how COVID-19 has impacted decision-making within the Canadian health system? To learn more, don’t forget to register for the spring 2022Talks online event taking place on Tuesday, April 26 from 12 noon to 1:30 p.m. "Health system decision-making in a post COVID-19 Canada" will feature keynote presentations from Helen Angus (Public Health Ontario) and Peter Wallace (Munk Institute of Global Affairs and Public Policy), and a moderated panel discussion with Dr. Sacha Bhatia (Ontario Health), John Hirdes and Anita Layton (University of ݮƵ), and David O’Toole (Canadian Institute for Health Information).
Please register to receive a linkto take part in this event.
Research Talks is supported by the Research Support Fund.
A win-win for both ݮƵ students and Rogers
By Stephanie Longeway. This article wasoriginally published on ݮƵ News.
When Jonah Eisen signed up for theSportsnet Hockey Hackin his final year of his master’s program, he set his future career path in motion.
Eisen was drawn to the week-long hackathon hosted in collaboration with Rogers Communications because it combined his favorite interests — sports and telecommunications. He saw a chance to gain real-world experience in applying his theoretical research to the 5G wireless network, and it was there that he met Rogers’ director of innovation and partnership, Neel Dayal.
“It was a great experience participating in the Hockey Hack. I remember hearing Neel and his colleague speak at the hackathon and being impressed by the level of engagement that Rogers team creates with its partners,” Eisen says.
After the hackathon, Eisen and fellow participants were presented an exciting opportunity from Rogers to apply to an open employment call with the company. Eisen jumped at the chance and is now a Technology Masters Grad — a full-time position that allows new talent at Rogers to explore their future career interests at the company through four six-month rotations across different units in the organization. And on his first rotation, Eisen had the opportunity to work on Dayal’s team.
“Looking back on my first impression of Neel and Rogers, it’s still surreal to me that I’m now a part of their team.”
For Eisen, the skills and connections gained through the hackathon at ݮƵ helped kick start his career after graduation. And for Rogers, it helped the company tap into dynamic, young talent.
Partnership that connects talent
In December 2019,RogersCommunications becamea founding partner of the University of ݮƵ’sGateway for Enterprises to Discover Innovation(GEDI), a central place for companies to access the full potential of ݮƵ’s research, talent and entrepreneurial ecosystem.TheSportsnetHockey Hack is just one example of how thispartnershiphas taken off and been a true win-win for Rogers and ݮƵ students and researchers.
The partnership enabled ݮƵ to become one of the first 5G smart campuses in Canada and provides research opportunities anchored in this next-generation network. It also connects Rogers with world-leading researchers and young, dynamic talent to help fulfill the need for skilled employees to lead future innovations.
“At Rogers, we’re shaping the future of 5G technology in Canada, and we need smart minds and new ideas to help us lead the way,” says Neel Dayal, senior director of Partnership and Innovation at Rogers Communications. “The students we’ve met through our work with the University of ݮƵ are engaged, innovative and capable, and the opportunity to connect, learn from, and hire talent as a direct result of our partnership has been incredible.”
Matching skills to meet businesses solutions
Rogers helped match Eisen to the role and right business areas. The unique rotational nature of his role allows him to “try-on” different projects on four different teams to help enrich his skillset and provide a diverse experience.
“I was really happy with the whole application process. I met with a recruiter who suggested roles that matched my research area and skills in telecommunications to find the best fit,” Eisen says. “As a new grad, it’s hard to read a job description online and picture yourself in it or understand how that would translate to your day-to-day work. Meeting with the recruiter and the team leaders really helped me to see myself in the role.”
Natalie Gaudet had a similar experience in her final year of theMaster of Digital Experience Innovation(MDEI) program.
“Rogers was an industry partner of the MDEI program. They had taken on a group of students to support an innovation project as part of our industry capstone project during our final semester,” Gaudet says. This industry integration is a standard part of the program and lets students connect their classroom learning and research with real-word problem solving. “I was really intrigued with Rogers when I heard their pitch. It was compelling to see how Rogers as a leading Canadian technology and media company is leveraging digital innovation to advance 5G.”
A co-ordinator at the MDEI program shared a similar open employment call opportunity with the group that specifically connected the program’s focus and training with the skills Rogers was looking for.
Gaudet is now a Rogers employee and works full-time in the Rogers 5G Create Lab on a four-term rotation. Although new to the role, she feels prepared and able to make meaningful contributions to her team. “I’m applying the methodologies and toolkit of skills I learned in my MDEI program in my job every day.”
Being an industry partner with ݮƵ has opened a door to Rogers to connect to the programs and students who are developing the digital skills they’re looking for to grow their business. For students like Eisen and Gaudet, they’ve been able to apply their in-class learning to create business solutions and gain valuable industry experience.
2022 Summer School promises to be a watershed event
The University of ݮƵ's Water Institute and Interdisciplinary Centre on Climate Change have announced thattheir 2022 Summer School “” is now open for registration.
Hosted by theWater Instituteand theInterdisciplinary Centre on Climate Change(IC3), the summer school is aimed at graduate students and practitioners who arepassionateabout learning more about applying interdisciplinary approaches to water security challenges in urbanizing watersheds under climate change.
This uniquely designed, three-week virtual program will offer participantstalks and discussions by leading water and climate change scholars in three modules:
- Climate Change and Water;
- Climate Change and Land Use; and
- Climate Change and Water Security.
The program will run for one hour each weekday and offer insight into the use of interdisciplinary approaches. It will provide curated learning materials, improved skills and knowledge, and acertificate of completion.
Check out the full Summer School program online.
Remembering Convocation Winds conductor Harry Currie and other notes
Local author, journalist, educator and overall musical mainstayHarry Curriehas died at the age of 90.
A fixture in ݮƵ Region's musical circles since 1975, Currie wasbest known on campus as the conductor of theConvocation Winds, an orchestra that provided processional music at the University of ݮƵ's Convocation ceremonies from 1980 to 2018. A, and you can read Harry'sݮƵ News profilethat was posted onlineas he hung up his Convocation Winds conductor's baton in 2018. There is also atribute page on Facebook, fittingly entitled.
Alumni Relations and the Faculty of Mathematics are kicking off thewith the first installment,Data + Climate,on Tuesday, April 26 from 12 noon to 1:30 p.m. on Hopin. At each themed event, attendees will "explorehow data can help us solve today's greatest problems and see the world in a dramatically new way."
Attendees will hear from a panel ofsubject matter experts working in the labs, companies and communities driving change with data. Panel discussions will be moderated by a member of the ݮƵ community who has specialized knowledge of the event's theme.
"How do we use data to understand that our climate ischanging, and that humans are responsible?" askthe event organizers."In this event, we'll be considering the use of different data streams (climate modelling, satellite and aircraft measurement and surface observation) in emerging climate science. We will also explore how data and models are being used to develop solutions."
Panelists include moderatorChris Fletcher, Associate Professor Department of Geography and Environmental Management, and Associate Chair for Graduate Studies;Dave Bailey(BMath ‘91), Associate Scientist, Climate & Global Dynamics Lab, National Center for Atmospheric Research;Dr. Ray Nassar(PhD ’06), Atmospheric Scientist - Environment & Climate Change Canada; andAndrea Scott, Associate Professor and Associate Chair Undergraduate Studies, Systems Design Engineering.
There's still time to volunteer for this spring's Convocation."With 18 ceremonies taking place from June 11 to 18, we need over 200 volunteers to make it a success," says a note from Community Relations and Events (CRE).
Staff, faculty and students are encouraged to get involved, and managers are encouraged to promote this opportunity to their teams; there are many different roles and shifts available, providing new professional development opportunities and the chance to grow your network across campus. Training and meals are provided.
Want to learn more and sign up?Visit theconvocation websitefor role descriptions and available shifts.
The Safety Office and Plant Operations will be conductingfire drills for mostacademic and administrative buildings on campusonWednesday and Thursday this week, with a rain date of Friday, April 29. Remember fire drills?
The Safety Office would like to remind faculty and staff that when the fire alarm in their building goes off, they are required to evacuate.Check out the Safety Office's generic building evacuation procedures, and check in with your department or unit's fire warden to stay updated on procedures for your particular workplace.
Linkof the day
When and Where to get support
Studentscan visit theStudent Success Officeonline for supports including academic development, international student resources, immigration consulting,leadership development, exchange and study abroad, and opportunities to get involved.
Instructorslooking for targeted support for developing online components for blended learning courses, transitioning remote to fully online courses, revising current online courses, and more please visitAgile Development | Centre for Extended Learning | University of ݮƵ (uwaterloo.ca).
Instructorscan visit theto get support on adapting their teaching and learning plans for an online environment.
are available within your course in LEARN to help you build and edit your content and assignment pages quickly.
The following workshops, webinars, and events are offered by the KL team (CTE, CEL, ITMS, LIB):
- Independent Remote Course Design Essentials,self-directed, continuous self-enrollmentcourse in LEARN.
- Independent Blended Course Design(iBlend), self-directed, ongoing
- Copyright Overview for ݮƵ Instructors and Staff-self-directed, continuous self-enrollmentcourse in LEARN.
- University of ݮƵ Teaching and Learning Conference- April 27 and April 28.
Supports are available foremployeesreturning to campus. Visitandworkplace protocolsto assist with the transition.
Thehas virtual services and programs to helpundergrads,grad students, postdocsandfaculty memberswith academic writing.
- Meet with writing advisors inone-to-one appointmentsto brainstorm, draft, revise, and polish. No time for an appointment? Tryemail tutoring for undergrads.
- Beat isolation and make writing progress at weeklyVirtual Writing Cafésfor grad students and faculty orPJ-Friendly Writing Groups for Undergrads.
- Take anonline workshopor apply to our popularDissertation Boot Campprogram.
- Faculty can requestcustom in-class workshopsfor their courses, or the WCC can facilitate anyexisting workshopsfor student groups.
- Course-integrated support available.Attention faculty and instructors:Theapplication form for Writing and Communication Centre course-integrated supportis now available online. We offer five unique support streams for your courses including synchronous and asynchronous workshops and monitored discussion boards.
Co-op studentscanget help finding a joband find supports to successfully work remotely, develop new skills, access wellness and career information, and contact a co-op or career advisor.
The Centre for Career Action (CCA)hasservices and programstosupport undergrads, grad students, postdocs, alumni, and employees in figuring out what they value, what they’re good at, and how to access meaningful work, co-op, volunteer, or graduate/professional school opportunities. Questions about CCA's services?, call 519-888-4047, or stop by our front desk in the Tatham Centre 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.,Monday to Friday.
Drop-in toWarrior Virtual Study Hallson Wednesdays from5:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Come together in this virtual space to set goals and work independently or in groups each week.
Renison's English Language Institutecontinues to offervirtual events and workshopsto help students practice their English language skills.
If you feel overwhelmed or anxious and need to talk to somebody, please contact theUniversity’s Campus Wellness services, eitherHealth Servicesor Counselling Services. You can also contact the University'sCentre for Mental Health Research and Treatment.Good2Talkis a post-secondary student helplineavailable to all students.
The Libraryis open with expanded hours for access to book stacks, drop-in individual study space, bookable group study rooms, drop-in access to computers and printers, book pick-up services and IST Help Desk support. Librarian consultations, Special Collections & Archives and the Geospatial Centre are available by appointment. Full details on current services and hours are available on the Library’sCOVID-19 Update webpage.
TheFaculty Association of the University of ݮƵ (FAUW)continues to advocate for its members.for more information.
TheUniversity of ݮƵ Staff Association (UWSA)continues to advocate for its members.Check out the UWSA blogfor more information.
The Sexual Violence Prevention and Response Office (SVPRO)supports all members ofthe University of ݮƵcampuscommunitywho have experienced, or been impacted, by sexual violence.This includes all students, staff,facultyand visitorsonthemain campus, the satellite campuses, and at the affiliated and federated ݮƵ Institutes and Colleges.For support, email:svpro@uwaterloo.caor visit theSVPRO website.
TheOffice of Indigenous Relationsis a central hub that provides guidance, support, and resources to all Indigenous and non-Indigenous campus community members and oversees the University's Indigenization strategy.
TheݮƵ Indigenous Student Centre, based at St. Paul’s University College,provides support and resources for Indigenous students, and educational outreach programs for the broader community, including lectures, and events.
WUSA supports for students:
Peer support - MATES, Glow Centre, RAISE, Women’s Centre -Visitto book an appointment either in person or online for the Fall term.
Food Support Servicefood hampersare currently available from the Turnkey Desk 24/7 in the ݮƵ Centre. Drop off locations are also open again in SLC, DC, DP, SCH and all residences.
Co-op Connectionall available online. Checkfor more details.
Centre for Academic Policy Support-CAPS is here to assistݮƵ undergraduates throughout their experience in navigating academic policy in the instances of filing petitions, grievances and appeals. Please contact them atcaps@wusa.ca..
WUSA Student Legal Protection Program-Seeking legal counsel can be intimidating, especially if it’s your first time facing a legal issue.The legal assistance helpline provides quick access to legal advice in any area of law, including criminal. Just call1-833-202-4571.
is a confidential mental health and wellness service that connects students with qualified counsellors 24/7. They can be reached at1-833-628-5589.
GSA-UW supports for graduate students:
Thesupports students’ academic and social experience and promotes their well-being.
Advising and Support-experiencing challenges and can help with navigating university policies & filing a grievance, appeal, or petition.
Mental Health covered by the Health Plan- Thenow has an 80 per centcoverage rate (up to $800/year) for. Your plan includes coverage for psychologists, registered social workers, psychotherapists, and clinical counselors.
Dental Care- Thecovers 60to 70 per centof your dental costs and by visiting dental professionals who are members of the, you can receive an additional 20to 30 per centcoverage.
Student Legal Protection Program- Your GSA fees give you, accessible via a toll-free helpline: +1-833-202-4571. This advice covers topics including housing disputes, employment disputes, and disputes with an academic institution.
The Graduate House: Open Monday to Friday 11:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.We’re open to all students, faculty, staff, and community members.is a community space run by the GSA-UW. Vaccination Records and Government ID continue to be required for all dine-in guests. Graduate students who paid their fees can get discounts and free coffee.
When and Where (but mostly when)
Warriors vs. Laurier Blood Donation Battle.Join ouron the Blood.ca website or app. #ItsInYouToGive
Examination period, Friday, April 8 to April 26.
Research Talks, “Health system decision-making in a post COVID-19 Canada,”Tuesday, April 26, 12-1:30 p.m. Registration is required for this online event.
A Conversation on Hope & Climate Changefeaturing Katharine Hayhoe andIC3 Executive Director, Wednesday, April 27, 10:00 a.m.Register now.
NEW - WaterTalk:Analytic element method solutions extend computational frontiers in interdisciplinary hydrosciences and beyond, presented byDavid R. Steward,Wednesday, April 27, 2:00 p.m.
NEW - Information webinar for ݮƵ researchers, “Advancing equity and inclusion in contract research and commercialization at the University of ݮƵ,”Thursday, April 28, 12:15 p.m. to 12:45 p.m., online via Zoom..