Tuesday, September 26, 2023

Tuesday, September 26, 2023

Editor:
Brandon Sweet
University Communications
bulletin@uwaterloo.ca

Journalists come to ݮƵ for a meeting of the MINDS

By Ryon Jones.

On October 4, 2023, the University of ݮƵ will host executive-level representatives of 23 global news agencies such as L'Agence France-Presse, Associated Press, Reuters and The Canadian Press.

The global network of leading news agency leaders who are members of the Media Innovation Network (MINDS) are visiting ݮƵ to learn about how AI may disrupt their industry and how they can use tools like ChatGPT to their advantage.

MINDS is a non-profit organization in which news agencies work together on new concepts for the media industry. Twice a year, MINDS organizes conferences for its members. Participants are senior managers from all relevant areas of the news agency business – board, editorial, strategy, technology, products, and sales. MINDS conferences provide a great opportunity for networking with news agencies’ decision-makers. They are aimed for an exchange of thoughts and experiences, for getting impulses for new business, as well as the chance to explore collaboration in many ways.

The 35thMINDS conference, which the Canadian Press is hosting, is totally dedicated to artificial intelligence-related topics.

The afternoon’s activities will include a presentation by professors Joel Blit and Jimmy Lin on the meteoric rise of large language models (LLMs), such as ChatGPT, and how business executives can unlock its transformative potential.

Andrea Baillie, editor-in-chief at The Canadian Press, will also moderate a panel discussion. The panel will comprise Dr. Lennart Nacke, professor and associate director, Stratford School of Interaction Design and Business, Dr. MarcelO’Gorman, professor and university research chair and founding director of the CML, Dr. SirishaRambhatla, professor in the Management Science and Engineering Department where she leads the CML and Dr. WillZhao, professor of organization and human behaviour at ݮƵ’s Stratford School.

The afternoon’s activities will conclude with an AI in action at ݮƵ display featuring ݮƵ’s startup incubator, Velocity, RoboHub - the home of robotics at ݮƵ, and the Critical Media Lab (CML) – a cross-disciplinary, research-creation initiative which fosters the development of new media projects that explore the impact of technology on society and the human condition.

Engineering prof honoured for notable scientific achievements

This article wasoriginally featured on the Engineering news site.

Dr. Nandita Basu.

A civil and environmental engineering professor joins an elite group of scientists worldwide as the recipient of a prestigious award recognizing her significant contributions to international water research.

Dr. Nandita Basu, a Tier 1 Canada Research Chair in Global Water Sustainability and Ecohydrology, has been awarded the American Geophysical Union (AGU)’s Joanne Simpson Medal for Mid-Career Scientists. The annual award honours individuals working in Earth and space sciences who have made notable scientific achievements while displaying exemplary character.

In addition, Basu was awarded the opportunity to deliver the AGU’s Paul A. Witherspoon Lecture, presented annually to mid-career AGU members who have made significant contributions to hydrological science.

An internationally renowned environmental engineer, Basu uses data science, process modelling and remote sensing to explore how climate, land use, and management impact surface and groundwater quality across landscapes and from watershed to the regional and global scales.

She has served on many advisory and technical committees throughout her career, including the International Joint Commission’s Science Advisory Board – Science Priority Committee. In 2019, Basu was elected a Member of the Royal Society College of New Scholars, Artists and Scientists.

I'll take too many emails for $400, please

Students studying in a lounge environment.

A message from the UݮƵ Life team.

Answer: This survey is conducted every two years, most recently in March 2023.

ܳ:What is the 2023 Student Communications Survey!?

Answer: This social media platform that used to lead the pack, has fallen from its graces.

ܳ:What is Facebook!?

When it comes to communicating with students, are you curious about what social media platforms we should be using? Have you ever considered how many emails are too many to send? Do you wonder if your emails are being read?

We surveyed a representative sample of our student community in March 2023 to ask about student preferences when it comes to communications from the University. The results are in, and thefinal reportis now available.

We have gathered insights spanning three significant periods of time - pre-pandemic, pandemic and post-pandemic. There has been significant change on our campus and across the world, and our students’ survey responses show interesting patterns when looking at 2019, 2021 and 2023.Learn about the changes and trends we have seen over the last few years and how you can implement some key takeaways into your communication strategies.

For more information about the survey and its results, contact Claire Taylorclaire.taylor@uwaterloo.caor Melissa Cameronm3cameron@uwaterloo.cafrom the UݮƵ Life team.

Applications open for Velocity Pitch Competition

Velocity Pitch Competition banner showing several pitches on stage in progress.

A message from Velocity.

Velocityis excited to announce thatare now open!

Held each term, theVelocitypitchcompetition offers the opportunity for University of ݮƵ student-led teams with innovative solutions and high potential business ideas to showcase their hard work and compete for their share of $20,000in grant funding. Participants receive valuable feedback,pitching experience, and idea validation from a network of experienced entrepreneurs andVelocityCoaches.

The application deadline is October 11.

Sustainability Action Fund open for applications until October 13

A message from the Sustainability Office.

Have a project idea to advance sustainability on campus? ճSustainability Action Fundis now accepting applications for projects that will work towards the University’sEnvironmental Sustainability Strategy. Projects can include infrastructure improvements, campaigns, or activities to increase awareness of sustainability issues on campus, and programming to support sustainable behaviours.

Applicants can request between $2,000 and $30,000 in funding this term, and can be led by staff, students, or faculty members. Some examples of past projects that have successfully received funding include:

  • Reusable containers marketing;
  • Sustainability literacy conference;
  • Standardized waste receptacles;
  • Arts/Environment gardens signage; and
  • Electric landscaping equipment pilot.

Applications will now be accepted on an ongoing basis and will be reviewed as part of two intake rounds.The deadline for fall 2023 intake is Friday, October 13 at 5:00 p.m.Full details and instructions are available on theSustainability Action Fund webpage.

Link of the day

When and Where

:Season Passes, Black and Gold Alumni Passes and Single Game Tickets now available for the 2023-24 varsity season.

ճStudent health Pharmacy(located in the lower level of SLC )will be offering Covid Booster shots and Flu shots to all students and staff. Students can register at the pharmacy with their name and student number and will be called for their appointment. Shots offered on a first come, first served basis.

Innovation Challenge: Imagining the Future of Finance,Tuesday, September 19 to Tuesday, October 1.

,Thursday, September 21 to Saturday, September 30.

Speak Your Peace: Exploring Questions of Justice and Peace Together,Thursday, September 21, to Thursday, September 28,9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Conrad Grebel University College upper atrium.Please notethe new dates.

մDZܲԳٱ󲹾,Tuesday, September 26, 11:00 a.m. to2:00 p.m., SLC Great Hall.

Noon Hour Concert:Stop the Clock,Wednesday, September 27,12:30 p.m.,Conrad Grebel University College Chapel. Free admission.

English Conversation Circles begin, Wednesday, September 27 and Thursday, September 28, 3:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m., SCH 228F. Registration required.

, Wednesday, September 27.

Pollinator garden planting event,Wednesday, September 27 11:00 a.m. to1:00 p.m. (EDT),parking lot between DWE and SCH.

UWSA June 28 staff debrief session, Wednesday, September 27, 12 noon, in-person and online offerings.

Black and Gold Fest: ݮƵ Region Alumni Chapter Trivia Night,Wednesday, September 27, 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., The Jazz Room at the Huether Hotel.

,Thursday, September 28, 12 noon to 2:00 p.m., location TBA.

University of ݮƵ Knowledge Mobilization Community of Practice, Thursday, September 28,2:30 p.m. to4:00p.m. Contact Nadine Quehlatnquehl@uwaterloo.cato request a Teams invitation for this session.

,Thursday, September 28, 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m., location TBA.

Black and Gold Fest: Supporting Female Leaders,Thursday, September 28, 6:30 to 9 p.m.,Black and Gold Room, ݮƵ Centre.

Lectures in Catholic Experience Presents Archbishop Donald Bolen, Thursday, September 28, 7:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m., St. Jerome's University Notre Dame chapel.

Rock Your Thesis 1: Plan your project, Friday, September 29. Registration required.

National Day for Truth and Reconciliation on campus, Friday, September 29, 7:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., BMH Green.

,Friday, September 29, 12 noon to 2:00 p.m., location TBA.

Black Faculty Collective in collaboration with the Black Studies Program presents“Things My Fore-Sisters Saw,” Friday, September 29, 1:00 p.m. reception, 1:30 p.m. performance, 2:30 p.m. Q&A, Hagey Hall Studio HH180..

,Friday, September 29, 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m., location TBA.

, Saturday,September 30.

Black and Gold Fest: Yoga in the Field House,Saturday, September 30, 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m., Field House.

Black and Gold Fest: Warriors Welcome Tent and Facility Tours,Saturday, September 30,10:30 a.m. to 11:45 a.m.,Field House, CIF and SLC/PAC expansion.

Black and Gold Fest: Alumni VIP Tent,Saturday, September 30, 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., Parking Lot W, Beside Warrior Field.

Warriors Football vs. Guelph,Saturday, September 30, 1:00 p.m., Warrior Field. Alumni Black and Gold Day, Employee Day (emailWarriorstickets@uwaterloo.cafor free ticket code sponsored by Homewood Suites St. Jacobs), National Day of Truth and Reconciliation Recognition. Free tickets for ݮƵstudents.

Apply for Undergraduate Awards, first set ofdeadlines, Saturday, October 1.

Beyond the Pipeline: Fostering Equity in Our Quantum Future,Monday, October 2, 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m., QNC 0101.

Anti-Racism Reads featuring Let This Radicalize You, Thursday, October 5, 12 noon to 1:00 p.m., LIB 323.

The Case for Paratopian Design, Thursday, October 5, 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m., EC1 1323.

Key Clues Wrap-Up Event, Thursday, October 5, 2:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m., DC 1301 Fishbowl.

Warriors Men’s Hockey Home Opener,Thursday, October 5, 7:00 p.m. vs Laurier, CIF Arena. Battle of ݮƵ, Residence Day. Free tickets for UW Students.

Thursday, October 5, 8:00 p.m., Theatre of the Arts.

Faculty Workshop: Gender Inclusion in Research, Hiring, and Training: Data & Strategies,Wednesday, October 11,1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m., E7 7303.

Equitable Recruitment and Selection, Wednesday, October 11, 11:00 a.m. to 12 noon, online.

When and Where to get support

Check out the support listings for faculty, staff and students.