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Brandon Sweet
University Communications
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ݮƵ raises Two-Spirit flag on campus for the first time
By Emily Brant,Office of Indigenous Relations. This is an excerpt of anarticleoriginally published on ݮƵ News.
For the first time on our campus, the Two-Spirit Pride flag is being flown alongside the Intersex-Inclusive Pride Progress flag, during the month of June as part of Pride Month activities. Flying the Two-Spirit Pride flag represents the intersection of National Indigenous History Month and Pride Month and signifies the University’s ongoing commitment towards indigenization across our campuses.
“We trust that by raising this flag we are signalling that the University of ݮƵ stands for inclusion, belonging and acceptance,” says Melissa Star Ireland, who was recently appointed as the new director of the Office of Indigenous Relations. “Let us all come together in a supportive campus environment where 2SLGBTQQIA+ relations can thrive.”
Two-Spirit is a term that refers to an Indigenous person who identifies as having both a masculine and feminine spirit. While some use it to describe sexual or gender identity, many Indigenous folx see it as a spiritual identity and how they relate to Creation.
There is a Two-Spirit Intersex-Inclusive Pride Progress flag, but some members of the Two-Spirit community feel that it is important to celebrate Indigenous identity by flying two separate flags.
Read the rest of the article on ݮƵ News.
Alumni return to campus for nostalgia, reunions and hope for the future
ByMegan Vander Woude, Office of Advancement. This is an excerpt ofan article originally published on ݮƵ News.
This past weekend, more than 1,000 people flooded the University of ݮƵ campus to meet with old friends, celebrate milestone anniversaries and see how our institution has changed. The weekend included multiple events, hosted by Alumni Relations, Faculties, Schools, University Colleges and alumni volunteers.
Alumni know how to rock
The events kicked off Friday, June 2 with a special screening of the documentaryRock This Town, produced by Betty Anne Keller (BA ’69).The film follows the rich and surprising history of live music in the ݮƵ Region, largely initiated by Joe Recchia (BASc ’68, MASc ’71), who became a local music promoter after hosting successful dances for students and community members. The film and post-screening chat brought more than 300 alumni and friends to Federation Hall.
Read the rest of the article on ݮƵ News
Winning videos push student research into the spotlight
By Angie Docking, Faculty of Engineering. This article wasoriginally published on ݮƵ News
Two chemical engineering graduate students have topped a national video competition for their research related to the United Nations’ sustainable development goals (SDGs).
Carlo Cunanan and Kiyoumars Zarshenas, master’s and PhD students respectively, are two of sixScience, Action!video contest winners, a joint initiative organized by the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) and the Fonds de recherche du Québec – Nature et technologies (FRQNT). Winning videos were selected for their ability to showcase the benefits of their natural sciences and engineering research and its impact on the SDGs.
Cunanan’s pursuit of greener ammonia production aims to combat climate change by reducing greenhouse gas emissions, while Zarshenas’ research focuseson membrane-based water purificationto address the world’s water crisis.
“NSERC is proud to showcase some of the remarkable research that Canadian universities are doing in the basic sciences to find solutions to the most urgent problems that our society is facing, such as climate change,” said NSERC’s presidentAlejandro Ademin a media release. “These important research efforts not only will lead to the development of tools to facilitate better decision-making, but also provide unique opportunities to train the highly qualified personnel of tomorrow in the essential skills that they will need to ensure a better, sustainable future.”
Watch Cunanan and Zarshenas'winning video submissions,and.
WatSPEED hosted executive dinner to discuss trust in health data
This article was originally published on the WatSPEED website.
On May 4, WatSPEED hosted an executive dinner and roundtable discussion in partnership with Statistics Canada, the Canadian Institute for Health Information (CIHI), and the Institute of Public Administration of Canada (IPAC). Leaders from government, private sector, and academia gathered in Ottawa to address the critical issue of trust in the complex world of health data.
The event featured presentations from David O’Toole, president and CEO of CIHI; Maura R. Grossman, a research professor at the David R. Cheriton School of Computer Science; and Anil Arora, Chief Statistician of Canada. The presentations and resulting discussion includeda call for a principles-based approach to the gathering, usage, and linkage of health data that spans the public and private sectors; the benefits and risks of using synthetic data to enable trust; the need for transparency and a clear value proposition; and the need for a patient-centric approach to utilizing health data.
Following these presentations, Vivek Goel, President and Vice-Chancellor, and Chair of the Pan-Canadian Health Data Expert Advisory Group, led a guided discussion centered on building trust as a central component to the advancement of a modernized health data strategy.
"It was my pleasure to moderate a frank and illuminating discussion on the potential of Canadian health data to transform patient care in this country,” said Goel. "Building trust is critical for ensuring the long-term success of Canada's health data strategy, and we are committed to advancing Canada’s health data ecosystem and improving health for all Canadians.”
Over the last year, WatSPEED has taken a leadership role in bringing together senior government and business leaders for meaningful conversations. One clear theme that has emerged from these discussions is the need to build an alliance between industry, academia, and government to address the need for upskilling and reskilling the Canadian workforce to navigate ongoing disruption.
Friday's notes
"Do you have an innovative idea waiting to be fueled by early-stage funding?" Velocity asks. "Thedeadline for the Velocity $5K is rapidly approachingonJune 11. Seize this opportunity by submitting an online application and embark on your journey towards the finals." There is $20,000 up for grabs in awards at the event.
Theis hosting a public lecture by Dr. Daniel Eduardo Olivares Queroentitled“Understanding the potential and challenges of DERs in Chile” onTuesday, June 20, from 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m., in room 3142 of EIT. The event will be heldin-person andon Zoom.This lecture will include discussion on the growing penetration ofDistributed Energy Resources (DERs)that has raised great interest in electricity network planners, regulators and policy makers.
Daniel Olivares Querois an Associate Professor at the Faculty of Engineering and Sciences of the Adolfo Ibañez University (UAI), and Director of the UAI Center for Energy Transition (CENTRA). He has more than 15 years of experience in scientific studies and technical-economic analysis of the electricity sector in the national and international context.
today.
Reminder: change your WatIAM password if you haven't already
The deadline for employees to change their WatIAM passwords has passed and accounts will begin to be locked. If you have been locked out, please contactInformation Systems and Technology (IST)or your Faculty IT helpdesk to regain access. Students and alumni must change their WatIAM passwords by June 22.
Link of the day
When and Where
is now open.
Spring and Summer camps available for Boys and Girls ages 5-18. Baseball, Basketball, Football, Volleyball, Hockey and Multi-Sport and Games..
Fitness andPersonal Training -Registrations now open forand, as well as a.
Student Health Pharmacyin the basement of the ݮƵ Centre is now offering Covidbooster shots (Pfizer and Moderna)and flu shots. Call 519-746-4500 or extension 33784 for an appointment. Walk-ins always welcome.
, Wednesday, June 7 to Friday, June 9.
Inclusive Physical Space Framework, a Together|Ensemble side event, Friday, June 9, 2:00 p.m. to2:45 p.m..
, Friday, June 9, 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., SLC Student Lounge (formerly the Bombshelter Pub).
Safeguarding Research Town Hall,Monday, June 12, 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m., Enterprise Theatre, EC5 or on MS Teams.
Spring 2023 Convocation ceremonies, Tuesday, June 13 to Saturday, June 17, Physical Activities Complex.
NEW -Guidance for an effective application for a Master and PhD -Electrical Engineering, Wednesday, June 14, 10:00 a.m., Zoom.
Food Truck Wednesdaybrought you by UW 2025 ݮƵ, Wednesday, June 14, 11:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., Arts Quad.
Land Skills for Wellness and Sustainability Project,, Wednesday, June 14, 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
NEW -Part-Time Master of Business, Entrepreneurship and Technology Information Session, Wednesday, June 14, 5:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m., online.
Pride Movie Night, "But I'm a Cheerleader,"Wednesday, June 14, 6:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., LHI 1621.
, Wednesday, June 14, 7:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m., Laurel Creek fire pit.
, Thursday, June 15, 12 noon to 1:30 p.m., UTD 164.
Thursday,June 15, 12 noon to 1:30 p.m., UTD 164.
Garlic Mustard Pull, Thursday, June 15, 4:30 p.m. to 6:00 p.m., DWE parking lot.
, Friday, June 16, 12 noon to 1:00 p.m., SLC Lower Atrium Multipurpose Room.
Rock Your Thesis Part 1: Plan your Project, Friday, June 16, 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Engineering presents Discover the Power of Leadership with Rola Dagher, Friday, June 16, 2:30 p.m. to 4:00 p.m., E7 event space, 2ndFloor Engineering 7.
NEW -Lupina Foundation Postdoctoral Research showcase, Monday, June 19, 12 noon to 2:00 p.m., HH 373.
WISE Public Lecture,“Understanding the potential and challenges of DERs in Chile” by Daniel Eduardo Olivares Quero, Associate Professor, Faculty of Engineering and Sciences, and Director, Center for Energy Transition (CENTRA), Universidad Adolfo Ibáñez (UAI)., Tuesday, June 20, 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m., EIT Third floor 3142., In-person andon Zoom.today.
NEW -Polishing the Eagle Feather, Tuesday, June 20, 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m., BMH courtyard.
Retirement celebration for Tina Roberts, Tuesday, June 20, 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m., GEDI (East Campus 5, 2nd floor).Registration form.
Food Truck Wednesdaybrought you by UW 2025 ݮƵ, Wednesday, June 21, 11:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., Arts Quad.
Land Skills for Wellness and Sustainability Project,,Wednesday, June 21, 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Queer Trivia Night,Wednesday, June 21, 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., SLC main floor multipurpose room.
Deadline to change your WatIAM password, Thursday, June 22..
, Thursday, June 22, 12 noon to 1:30 p.m., UTD 164.
NEW -Graduate Studies Fair 2023, Thursday, June 22, 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m., Engineering Event space (E7 second floor).
NEW -Food Truck Wednesdaybrought you by UW 2025 ݮƵ, Wednesday, June 28, 11:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., Arts Quad.
NEW -Ozhawa Anung Kwe/ Yellow Star Woman (Teddy Syrette): 2Spirit & LGBTQ+ Pride, Thursday, June 29, 9:00 a.m. to 12 noon,Faculty of Health Expansion Building, Room 1689 .
When and Where to get support
Check out the support listings for faculty, staff and students.
PhD oral defences
Global Governance.Hari Jnawali, "Challenges of Autonomy Struggles in Asia: The Cases of Nepal and China." Supervisor,Dr. Dan Gorman.Available upon request from the Faculty of Arts, Graduate Studies and Research Officer. Oral defence Friday, June 16, 1:00 p.m.,1-23 (Balsillie School of International Affairs).
English Language and Literature.Masa Torbica, "Idle No More: Revitalizing the Third Space(s) of Sovereignty." Supervisor, Dr. Heather Smythe.Available upon request from the Faculty of Arts, Graduate Studies and Research Officer. Oral defence Tuesday, June 20, 1:00 p.m.,PAS 2464 and hybrid.
Environment, Resources and Sustainability.Ella Kari Muhl,“Co-production of knowledge for indicators, otters and ecosystem-based management”. Supervisor, Derek Armitage.Available upon request from theFaculty of Environment, Administrator, Graduate Studies. Oral defence.Wednesday, June 21, 10:00 a.m.
Sociology and Legal Studies.Ashley Ryan,"Pressuring Others: Examining the Motivations Behind Deviant Instigation and the Strategies That Accompany Them." Supervisor, Dr. Owen Gallupe.Available upon request from the Faculty of Arts, Graduate Studies and Research Officer. Oral defence Wednesday, June 21, 1:00 p.m., online.