Editor:
Brandon Sweet
University Communications
bulletin@uwaterloo.ca
Together Ensemble Conference coming up later this month
A message fromSustainable Development Solutions Network (SDSN) Canada.
The University of ݮƵ is organizing the 2024, Canada’s all-of-society conference on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The conference will be held in-person on May 28th& 29thin ݮƵ with the theme of "Innovation for the SDGs" and three streams of curated content:
- AI and Emerging Technologies for Eco-Innovation;
- Future Cities; and
- Sustainable Finance.
Join us in-person and online to track progress, deepen commitments, and create new collaborations for the SDGs in Canada.
P-Card CentreSuite to Concur transition update
This message was originally sent via email by Sarah Hadley, CFO, Finance, on May 1, 2024 to Executive Council.
We are pleased to announce that as part of our work towards streamlining our procurement processes across campus and improving system user experience, we will be shifting transaction processing away from the current CentreSuite system and instead using Concur. Concur is our existing expense reimbursement system that most of campus is already familiar with.This change consolidates the number of systems for campus. Once users are migrated, Concur will be used for the coding, review, and approval of P-Card transactions.
Other benefits:
- Since Concur utilizes Single Sign On (SSO), users will no longer need a separate CentreSuite password.
- Many P-Card transactions will automatically be coded to appropriate expense accounts based on pre-programmed logic and machine learning, reducing the amount of time needed during the reconciliation process.
- Users will be able to easily upload their receipts to attach to their monthly statement, enabling better central electronic document retention in line with our current Document Retention Policies and Procedures.This also means elimination of the need for physical/digital storage of P-Card packages by the Cardholder department.
- Automated review/approval workflows
Timing and next steps
We continue to work closely with Concur on configuring the test environment and anticipate being able to migrate users into Concur in Summer of 2024. The intent is to align with a statement period end, so the cutoff between systems is seamless.
We are configuring the Concur system in a test environment.The aim is to provide a more intuitive experience with a more user-friendly look and feel than today.
During this implementation project, we are consulting with high-volume P-Card user groups to provide feedback and to seek volunteers to participate in testing once the test environment is configured.
We appreciate your support with this exciting project that contributes to streamlining the overall procurement processes on campus. We look forward to providing further updates on this project in the near future.
More information
P-Card CentreSuite to Concur Transitionwebsite has been set up where information on the project will be posted.
May Anti-Racism Reads: Son of Elsewhere
A message from the Library and Print + RetailSolutions.
Join the Library and Print + RetailSolutionsfor the next Anti-Racism Readsdiscussion on Wednesday May 15. Ola Idriswill be in conversation with the author Elamin Abdelmahmoud about hismemoir,Son of Elsewhere.
“Son of Elsewhereaboundsinsuch perceptively written, funny-slash-poignant anecdotes. . . . It’sall written in a breezy, easygoing tone, but don’t let that fool you: thisisa thoughtful, often profound book.” —մǰDzԳٴٲ
Thishybrid event will take place from 3:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. in theQuantum-Nano Centre (Room 0101) and on Teams. To register for thisevent,.
DZ辱ǴSon of Elsewhere: A Memoir in Piecesare available throughor for purchase at theinSouth CampusHall.Please note:We are working towardsremoving barriersto participation, providing easy accessto theselected text. We have limited copiesavailable free of cost for those whosign up for the event and indicate they'd like a copy on the registration form.
Researchers identify an economic solution to Canada's opioid crisis
This article wasoriginally published on ݮƵ News.
Nasal-administered naloxone is cost-effective and could help reduce the number of opioid-related fatalities compared to the current publicly funded intramuscular version, a new study has found.
Since 2016, Canada's opioid crisis has worsened, with over 40,000 opioid-related deaths, or about 22 deaths per day. Most of these accidental deaths (88 per cent) occur in British Columbia, Alberta and Ontario.
An effective way to help prevent opioid-related deaths is through community pharmacy-based naloxone programs. Currently, intramuscular naloxone is publicly funded across Canada, but it can be stress-inducing and difficult for bystanders to administer naloxone through a syringe. Intranasal naloxone, used as a simple nasal spray, is only publicly funded in Ontario, Quebec and the Northwest Territories.
The study by University of ݮƵ researchers found a research gap in identifying the cost-effectiveness of implementing intranasal naloxone distribution across Canada through public funding. Mathematical modelling conducted by ݮƵ researchers confirmed that intranasal naloxone is cost-effective when distributed to all Canadians and could help save additional lives. Based on the model, 151 deaths will be prevented per 10,000 people.
"Think of an EpiPen," said Ashley Cid, a PhD candidate in ݮƵ's School of Pharmacy, which offers North America's most innovative pharmacy curriculum by integrating biomedical and pharmacy science with clinical, behavioural and social sciences that emphasizes patient-focused care.
"Similarly, naloxone is effective, safe, easy to use and is a medication meant to save someone's life regardless of whether you take opioid medication for a prescription or not. Providing publicly funded intranasal naloxone kits can effectively manage and reduce opioid-related fatalities due to increased distribution."
Cid adds that naloxone is a harm-reduction measure and does not increase the risk of opioid use. She believes policymakers should consider publicly funding intranasal naloxone across Canada and increasing distribution as it would help to mitigate the immediate public health opioid crisis and save more lives, especially in provinces like Alberta and British Columbia, where high rates of deaths are occurring.
"Providing intranasal naloxone through community pharmacies would have an immediate impact and be a great solution to increase access to publicly funded naloxone kits," Cid said. "I hope someday naloxone will be kept in first aid kits in your car, purse or home for emergencies."
The study,, was recently published in theCanadian Pharmacists Journal.
Linkof the day
When and Where
ճStudent Health Pharmacy(located in the lower level of the ݮƵ Centre) is offering flu shots with no appointments needed daily from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Call519-746-4500 or extension 33784 for more info. COVID shots will be available on appointment basis only. You can register online at.
Warriors Youth Summer Camps.Basketball, Baseball, Football, Hockey, Multi-Sport and Volleyball.
Safeguarding Science workshop and more, throughout May and June. Public Safety Canada invites faculty, staff and students to attend a series of virtual event via MS Teams. Register to receive a link.
BioBlitz, Monday, May 6 to Sunday, May 12.
Food Truck Wednesday, Wednesday, May 8 to Wednesday,July24, 11:30 a.m. to2:30 p.m.,Arts Quad.
Spring Tree Planting, Wednesday, May 8 and Thursday, May 9,12 noon to 2:00 p.m., main campus.
NEW - Warrior Rec Swim Lesson Registrationopens Wednesday, May 8, 12 noon. Adults, Women’s and Child/Youth lessons available.
Bridging Black: Building Black Connections for Black Flourishing, the 2024 Inter-Institutional Forum of the Scarborough Charter on Anti-Black Racism and Black Inclusion in Canadian Higher Education, Thursday, May 9 and Friday, May 10, University of ݮƵ and Wilfrid Laurier University campuses.
Online Instructor Community of Practice(CoP):the Centre for Extended learning is hosting a CoP for Online Instructors looking to discuss the challenges and successes in their online teaching, Thursday May 9, 11:30 a.m. to1:00 p.m.
Tri-Agencies webinar on Sensitive Research and Affiliations of Concern (STRAC) policy (in English),Thursday, May 9, 1:00 p.m. to 2:30 p.m..
Climate Drinkswith the ݮƵ Climate Institute, Thursday, May 9, 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., Graduate House.
NEW -, Thursday, May 9, 7:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., MS Teams.
GOODHack24, Saturday, May 11, 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., 151 Charles Street, Kitchener.
Accessible Education User Testing Groupexpression of interest formsubmission deadline, Monday, May 13 (end of day).
, Monday, May 13 to Thursday, May 16, 10:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m., Black & Gold Room.
Horizon Europe Town Hall for ݮƵ faculty members.Learn about the Pillar II funding program and its many opportunities to support international partnerships and collaborative projects that tackle major global challenges and address Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs),Monday, May 13, 12:30 to 1:30 p.m.Please register to attendin person or online via Microsoft Town Hall.
NEW - Athletics and Recreation Open House,Tuesday,May 14, 9:30 a.m. to2:00 p.m.,SLC Great Hall. Stop by to find out how to get active and engaged with your fellow Warriors this term.
NEW -,Tuesday,May 14, 1:00 p.m. Other programs are ongoing.
Seedling Swap, Wednesday, May 15and Thursday, May 16, Environment 3.
Wednesday, May 15, 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., ݮƵ Centre Great Hall.
Clubs and Societies Days, Thursday, May 16, 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.and Friday, May 17, 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., ݮƵ Centre Great Hall.
University of ݮƵ Knowledge Mobilization Community of Practice, “Bibliometrics and Research Impact and Thinking Through How to Improve KM Metrics”,Thursday,May 16,10:00 a.m. to11:30 a.m.ContactNadine Quehlto request a Teams invitation or for more information.
NEW -, Thursday, May 16, 7:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., MS Teams.
"GettingReadyto FacilitateOnline Courses:TA Training – Spring 2024" course,Tuesday, May 21.
Dr. Craig Janes retirement celebration, Wednesday, May 22, 3:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m., EXP 1686.RSVPby Wednesday, May 15.
NEW -,Tuesday,May 21, 11:59 p.m. Other programs are ongoing.
Foundations of Collaborative Leadership,Chapter one of theCommunity Leadership Certificate (CLC),Thursday, May 23,5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. (virtual).
NEW -, Thursday, May 23, 7:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., MS Teams.
You @ ݮƵ Day, Saturday, May 25.
Tri-Agencies webinar on Sensitive Research and Affiliations of Concern (STRAC) policy (in English),Tuesday, May 28, 11:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m..
Foundations of Collaborative Leadership,Chapter one of theCommunity Leadership Certificate (CLC),Wednesday, May 29, 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. (virtual).
Tri-Agencies webinar on Sensitive Research and Affiliations of Concern (STRAC) policy (in French),Thursday, May 30, 1:00 p.m. to 2:30 p.m..
NEW -,Thursday, May 30, 7:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., MS Teams.
Engineering Graduate Studies Fair, Wednesday, June 6, 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m., Engineering 7 second floor event space.
PhD oral defences
Mechanical & Mechatronics Engineering.Ali Gharamohammadi, "A Radar-Based In-Cabin Health Monitoring System." Supervisors, Dr.George Shaker, Dr.Amir Khajepour. Thesis available on SharePoint - contacteng.phd@uwaterloo.cato request a viewing link. Oral defence Friday, May 10, 9:00 a.m., remote.
School of Public Health Sciences.Reem Taj-Assir Mulla, "Transitions in Mood Among Residents of Canadian Long-Term Care Facilities: The Effects of COVID-19 Individual Risk Factors and Regional Characteristics." Supervisor, Dr.John Hirdes. emailHealth graduate administrationto request a copy. Oral defence Friday, May 10, 9:00 a.m.,EXP 1686.
Mechanical & Mechatronics Engineering.Shina Maini, "Fabrication and Characterization of novel core-shell structured metastable intermolecular composites." Supervisor, Dr.John Zhenyu Wen. Thesis available on SharePoint - contacteng.phd@uwaterloo.cato request a viewing link. Oral defence Friday, May 10, 9:00 a.m., remote.
Computer Science.Pablo Millan Arias, "Deep Unsupervised Learning for Biodiversity Analyses: Representation learning and clustering of bacterial, mitochondrial, and barcode DNA sequences." Supervisor, Dr.Lila Kari. Thesis available from MGO -mgo@uwaterloo.ca. Oral defence Friday, May 10, 1:00 p.m., hybrid.
Computer Science.Mojtaba Valipour, "Symbolic Regression and Sequence Modelling with Conditional and Dynamic Language Models." Supervisor, Dr.Ali Ghodsi.Thesis available from MGO -mgo@uwaterloo.ca. Oral defence Friday, May 10, 3:00 p.m.
Upcoming service interruptions
Stay up to date on service interruptions, campus construction, and other operational changes onthe Plant Operations website. Upcoming service interruptions include:
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Pathways connecting William Tutte Way and B.C. Matthews Hall closed for asphalt paving and repairs, May 7 to May 9 (weather dependent), pedestrian/bicycle and vehicle traffic to be re-routed around alternate pathways.
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ESC Loading Dock crane lift, Tuesday, May 7, no access to ESC loading dock and adjacent parking spaces. Access to pathways between ESC and C2 will remain open.
- Engineering 2, Engineering 3, Math & Computer, Davis Centre fire alarm testing, Wednesday, May 8, 7:30 a.m. to 8:15 a.m., fire alarm will sound, no building evacuation required.
- Bioremfire alarm testing, Wednesday, May 8, 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m., fire alarm will sound, building evacuation is not required.
- Fire Research Facility fire alarm testing, Wednesday, May 8, 1:00 p.m. to 2:30 p.m., fire alarm will sound, building evacuation is not required.
- UW pedestrian pathway closures(Lot L to Ring Road, Ring Road to Laurel Trail), May 10, 8:00 a.m. to May 13 at 9:00 a.m., pedestrian and cyclist traffic to be detoured through Laurel Trail and/or Ring Road.
- Needles Hall emergency power interruption, Saturday, May 11, 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., emergency lighting, receptacles, exit lights will be without power for the duration of the shutdown.
- Engineering 6 electrical shutdown, Sunday, May 12, 8:00 a.m., utility power will be off for four hours, emergency power will be operating
- Toby Jenkins Buildingfire alarm testing, Monday, May 13, 7:00 a.m. to 7:30 a.m., fire alarm will sound, building evacuation not required.
- Research Advancement Centre, Research Advancement 2 fire alarm testing, Monday, May 13, 7:30 a.m. to 8;15 a.m., fire alarm will sound, building evacuation not required.
- UWP-ݮƵ Court, UWP-Woolwich Court, UWP-Beck Hall fire alarm testing, Monday, May 13, 1:00 p.m. to 2:30 p.m., fire alarm will sound, building evacuation not required.
- DWE C wing hot water system maintenance, Tuesday, May 14, 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., no hot water available in labs during maintenance period.
- DWE A andB wings hot water systemmaintenance, Wednesday, May 15, 7:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m., no hot water during maintenance period.
- Physics, Earth Science and Chemistry, Chemistry 2, Centre for Environment & Information Technology fire alarm testing, Wednesday, May 15, 7:30 a.m. to 8:15 a.m., fire alarm will sound, building evacuation not required.
- Village 1 fire alarm testing, Wednesday, May 15, 1:00 p.m. to 2:30 p.m., fire alarm will sound, building evacuation not required.
- School of Pharmacy, Integrated Health Building fire alarm testing, Friday, May 17, 7:30 a.m. to 8:15 a.m., fire alarm will sound, building evacuation not required.
- Stratford Campus electrical shutdown, May 26, 9:00 a.m., all electrical power shut down for four hours