��ݮ��Ƶ News - Campus

Velocity Fund II closes financing round

David George-Cosh — Tue, 13 May 2025 12:00:00 +0000

University of ��ݮ��Ƶ-backed venture capital fund announces first close of pre-seed fund with US$10 million in committed capital

Velocity Fund II (VFII), an early-stage venture capital fund spun out of the University of ��ݮ��Ƶ’s globally renowned Velocity incubator, announces the first close of its fund with US$10 million in committed capital.

Managed independently by General Partners Akash Vaswani and Ross Robinson, the fund is focused on investing in founders at the earliest stages across software, deep tech and health tech sectors.

"We're committed to supporting incredible and ambitious founders with the fund we wish had existed when we were starting out. We move quickly and focus on founders who are solving significant problems," said Robinson.

VFII secures its strong start from a group of limited partners that include Graphite Ventures, the University of ��ݮ��Ƶ, the AngelList Systematic Fund of Funds, and undisclosed high-net-worth individuals, many of whom are ��ݮ��Ƶ alumni.

"We're excited to back Velocity Fund II and to have it be our first university spin-out fund. My past research has suggested that ��ݮ��Ƶ is one of the best schools globally for startup founders," said Abraham Othman, managing partner of the AngelList Systematic Fund of Funds.

��ݮ��Ƶ was the first post-secondary institution in Canada to invest from its endowment into an independent venture capital fund.

"At ��ݮ��Ƶ, we believe in the power of bold thinking and entrepreneurial drive," said Vivek Goel, president and vice-chancellor of ��ݮ��Ƶ.

"By investing in Velocity Fund II, we are supporting the extraordinary talent emerging from our ecosystem and reinforcing our commitment to transforming groundbreaking ideas into lasting impact. This fund allows us to back visionary founders who will shape the industries of tomorrow."

Building on the success of its inaugural fund, VFII aims to be the first institutional investor in promising early-stage startups, offering capital and deep ecosystem support with a total of US$25 million raised.

The fund’s focus on early-stage investing and close ties with ��ݮ��Ƶ founders has seen companies like Ground News and Scribenote benefit from its investments. VFII has already made investments into five new companies including Voltra Energy and Handshake, two high-profile Velocity-based start-ups which have already yielded commercial success.

"We have unparalleled access to the most concentrated pool of entrepreneurial talent in country, and we’re good at identifying emerging trends and spotting world-class founders early," said Vaswani.

For more information, visit the Velocity Fund’s website.

This document is not an offer to issue or sell, or a solicitation of an offer to subscribe for or buy, any securities or other financial instruments, nor does it constitute a financial promotion, investment advice or an inducement to purchase any product, or to participate in any offering or investment. Any offer to purchase or buy securities will only be made to qualified investors, and only pursuant to an offering document and subscription documents furnished to such qualified investors on a confidential basis. 

Feature Image: Velocity Fund II General Partners Ross Robinson (left) and Akash Vaswani. (University of ��ݮ��Ƶ)

Campus

Entrepreneurship

Co-op’s coming of age

Bernice Ma — Tue, 13 May 2025 04:00:00 +0000

Since 1958, ��ݮ��Ƶ’s co-operative education program has been launching successful careers

Many students dream of landing a job that aligns with their passions, inspires real-world impact or even motivates them to launch their own business. For thousands of ��ݮ��Ƶ students, that dream has become a reality thanks to co-operative education (co-op), which combines paid work experience with earning a degree.  

It might, therefore, seem surprising that the idea of co-op was met with skepticism when it was first proposed by the University’s first president, Dr. Joseph Gerald Hagey, who believed in its potential.  

As James Scott, former assistant to Hagey, wrote in the book Of Mud and Dreams: University of ��ݮ��Ƶ 1957 to 1967, the idea came to Hagey “somewhat to his surprise.” Still, he recognized that it could offer valuable opportunities for students and positively shape the future of education at ��ݮ��Ƶ.  

In 1957, the University expanded faculty, classrooms and infrastructure to support the co-op program, securing partnerships with manufacturing companies for work placements. The program’s alternating academic and work terms would allow students to gain real-world experience in industry and commerce through university-arranged placements.  

The first cohort of 74 engineering students began their co-op work terms in 1958, making ��ݮ��Ƶ the first Canadian university to offer co-op.  

To promote the new program, approximately 10,000 brochures were distributed to prospective students. One of those brochures reached Ron Ojanpera (BASc ’69), a high school student from Sudbury, Ontario. 

From co-op to a successful career 

Ojanpera was introduced to ��ݮ��Ƶ's engineering co-op program by a high school teacher who believed he would be interested. “I looked into the program and when it came time to apply, I submitted one application to ��ݮ��Ƶ, and that was it.” 

In 1964, Ojanpera was among the first to benefit from the program, which has since become globally recognized with more than 8,000 employers worldwide.

Ron Ojanpera (BASc ’69)

Co-op allowed him to balance school with paid work while discovering career roles that best align with his goals and skill set.

During his third year, Ojanpera made a pivotal career shift, moving from mining to engineering services, which would later form the foundation of his career. He gained valuable hands-on experience in plant operations, where he developed a deep appreciation for complex industries and customer relations. 

“The world is more complex now but the principle is the same,” he said. “Co-op prepares students to deal with those complexities, by teaching them how to work with people and apply technology to solve problems.” 

��ݮ��Ƶ has remained central to Ojanpera and his family, including his wife, daughters and niece who have all graduated from the University. Ojanpera takes pride in how his co-op experience led to a successful 50-year career in sales, business development and engineering, specifically in steam generation and air emissions control systems related to utility and heavy industrial applications. 

“The world is more complex now, but the principle is the same. Co-op prepares students to deal with those complexities.”

— Ron Ojanpera (BASc ’69) 

A new generation of co-op students finds their passion 

Elsa Patterson
Current Geomatics co-op student

Over the years, the co-op program has expanded to include all six faculties, making it accessible to students in every discipline.

Elsa Patterson, a current Geomatics co-op student, reflects on how she overcame the pressure of choosing the “right” co-op positions. Instead, she embraced the opportunity to explore various fields, build her resume and discover her passion for using data-driven approaches to foster sustainable and resilient communities. 

Through her co-op work terms in research labs, the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs and Indigenous Services Canada, Patterson gained hands-on experience as a geographic information systems (GIS) specialist. 

“I’ve learned through co-op in a different way — realizing how much I care about my work and how invested I am in my role has truly been a game-changer,” she said. 

Co-op also helped her develop a strong work ethic, professionalism, confidence and the ability to troubleshoot — skills she feels are valuable as she advances in her career. Patterson’s final eight-month work term will focus on improving water quality in the Great Lakes and implementing preventative measures to protect the environment. 

Watch video on YouTube

Continuing ��ݮ��Ƶ’s co-op legacy 

Every co-op experience at ��ݮ��Ƶ is unique, shaped by the individual’s program, values, desired impact and goals — just as it was for alumni like Ojanpera and current students like Patterson. What remains constant is the profound impact of ��ݮ��Ƶ’s co-op program over the past 65 years.  

Today, ��ݮ��Ƶ remains a global leader in co-operative education and work-integrated learning, offering innovative programs that meet the needs of both students and industry. With a unique opportunity to apply classroom knowledge in real-world contexts, co-op students are not just prepared for the future ─ they are tackling the world’s greatest challenges with innovation, passion and purpose.

Campus

Engineering

Environment

Co-op and Experiential Education

Magazine

Champions of change

Bernice Ma — Tue, 13 May 2025 04:00:00 +0000

Meet six world-class researchers, alumni and students who are applying boundary-breaking approaches to redefine sports, recreation and tourism

Dr. Michelle Rutty

As Canadians contend with climate-induced environmental changes like wildfires, flooding and melting glaciers, Dr. Michelle Rutty (MES ’10, PhD ’14) has been exploring the relationship between environmental changes and the global tourism sector.

Her research is among the first to use the power of virtual reality (VR) technologies to provide immersive, realistic experiences that enable communities to better understand their current and future climatic risks.

As director of the deTOUR Lab, Rutty supports the use of VR environments where users experience a destination before or after climate-related disasters impact it. “We’ve developed VR environments for ski resorts and golf courses that are experiencing record warm conditions and drought and are currently working on a VR simulation of glacial retreat in Jasper National Park,” Rutty said.

Recognizing that visual content is more persuasive than textual narratives for shifting emotional values, Rutty leverages VR as a public engagement tool to promote dialogue around climate-induced environmental change. “Visual media can both simplify the complexity of climate science while eliciting emotional responses,” she explained.

Rutty is committed to methodological innovation that accelerates environmental action in the tourism sector. Her scholarship has been recognized for research excellence with awards from around the world.

Greg Mittler

When a group of ��ݮ��Ƶ’s Master of Business, Entrepreneurship and Technology (MBET) students pitched the idea of introducing video games and esports at ��ݮ��Ƶ back in 2018, few imagined it would grow to be the largest network of its kind in Canada.

Under the leadership of Greg Mittler (BA ’14), the first full-time esports coordinator at a Canadian university, the program has grown to approximately 60 esports athletes who compete in several collegiate-level titles across North America.

Intent on making space for inclusivity in the sports world, Mittler shared that the initiative is also one of the first to have a marginalized genders team.

“We’re expanding into the community at large, focusing on more comprehensive goals with the ��ݮ��Ƶ Region Esports Commission and the University’s Interdisciplinary Network for Esports. Our ambition is to grow to be a significant influence in the country,” he said.

Last year, in collaboration with Conestoga College, Mittler and his team hosted WaterLAN — an esports tournament — where 16 schools came to the region to compete. The two-day event generated more than $75,000 in economic impact.

In 2024, Mittler’s team more than doubled those numbers, with help from approximately 50 student staff and volunteers that organized programming for thousands of students.

Christina Sullivan

During the COVID-19 lockdown in 2020, Christina Sullivan (BASc ’23) was introduced to the world of Formula 1 (F1) by her sister Veronica through the Netflix series Drive to Survive, and was instantly captivated by the sport. When her co-op term was cancelled due to the pandemic, Sullivan channelled her new passion into an academic project on F1 cars.

Shortly after, when her social media algorithm pushed an ad for an industrial placement at Williams Racing in the U.K., she applied and was thrilled to secure a one-year contract.

Today, as a full-time wind tunnel systems engineer with the company, Sullivan’s work ranges from designing and fabricating printed circuit boards and electrical harnesses to developing data acquisition systems and ensuring wind tunnel data accuracy.

“My main responsibility is the development and maintenance of our F1 wind tunnel model. All the aerodynamic developments that are seen on the car during races are first seen on this model in the wind tunnel,” she added.

Sullivan’s proudest achievement is leading the electrical design of the new wind tunnel model that Williams will test for the 2026 F1 season. She says that working with many multidisciplinary teams on bespoke systems and innovative control networks was an extremely rewarding experience.

Dr. Daniel Scott

The future of tourism and sports events like the Olympics are highly influenced by global change. That’s why Dr. Daniel Scott’s (MA ’93) research focuses on the transition of the tourism sector to a low-carbon economy and its adaptation to the complex impacts of a changing climate.

In a recent study commissioned by the International Olympic Committee to increase understanding of potential host cities in a warmer world, Scott’s research revealed that only 52 of 93 potential Olympic Winter Games host locations will remain climate-reliable by the 2050s and just 46 by the 2080s.

The outlook is more troubling for the Paralympic Winter Games, with only 22 climate-reliable sites by the 2050s and 16 by the 2080s. “Climate change is altering the geography of winter sports and is a growing threat to the cultural legacy of the Olympic Winter Games,” Scott said.

Still, believing that tourism can be a global force for good, he is committed to advancing global tourism that is compatible with planetary boundaries. As a leading scholar in the field, Scott’s research has been cited in more than 550 policy documents in more than 30 countries and by multiple international government organizations.

Haley Baxter

With her mom as her soccer coach and her dad a strong advocate for women’s sports, Haley Baxter’s (PhD in progress) research on women in volunteer sport coaching was greatly influenced by her parents.

Recognizing that there is little research in this field, her work aims to fill the gap. “My research looks at how to create and support pathways for young girls to become volunteer coaches,” Baxter explained.

Through meaningful engagement with club leaders, coaches and youth, her research highlights the lack of specific targets, strategies and gender-based initiatives for recruiting women and girls to coach.

Noting that club leaders recognize the need for intentional recruitment, she found they also feel unsupported by sports governing bodies, most of which prioritize high-performance coaching instead.

Baxter’s findings underscore the need for targeted recruitment strategies and better support systems to engage women and girls in volunteer coaching roles. She hopes her research helps the sport system recognize the importance of supporting gender-based initiatives at the community level of sport.

Dr. Kristine Dalton

Dr. Kristine Dalton (OD ’07, MSc ’10) is a distinguished leader in sports vision and concussion rehabilitation, with a remarkable track record in Paralympic winter sports.

In 2014, she founded the Sports Vision Clinic at the University of ��ݮ��Ƶ to help athletes improve their performance. After seeing many athletes with vision problems after a concussion, Dalton teamed up with Dr. Tammy Labreche to launch a specialized service focused on treating patients with various brain injuries.

“Our team works collaboratively with physicians, optometrists, physiotherapists, athletic therapists and other health-care providers in the community to support the multidisciplinary care patients with brain injury need in their recoveries,” she said.

In 2015, Dalton pioneered a research project that focused on understanding how athletes use their vision to ski. Her research revolutionized classification rules for Para Alpine and Para Nordic skiing, ensuring fair competition for athletes with vision impairments.

In collaboration with the International Paralympic Committee, World Para Snow Sports and the International Ski and Snowboard Federation, the groundbreaking work has expanded global eligibility for these sports.

Co-op and Experiential Education

Magazine

Research

The ��ݮ��Ƶ Magazine turns its final page

Bernice Ma — Tue, 13 May 2025 04:00:00 +0000

Honouring a rich legacy, and looking ahead to new ways of celebrating the bold spirit of the ��ݮ��Ƶ community

The story of the ��ݮ��Ƶ Magazine is a tapestry woven with threads of history, community, innovation and evolution. As the final planned issue of the magazine hits mailboxes and inboxes to make way for exciting new changes, we revisit key moments that have shaped this publication into a cherished beacon for the University of ��ݮ��Ƶ alumni community.

For the past 60 years, the ��ݮ��Ƶ Magazine has shone a light on remarkable ��ݮ��Ƶ graduates who are making positive local, national and global impact. Since 1989, approximately 85 issues of the magazine have been published to celebrate major achievements and groundbreaking research from our alumni and campus community.

But the story of the ��ݮ��Ƶ Magazine didn’t begin 36 years ago. To understand its true legacy, there is only one place to begin: at the very start.

The genesis

In December 1965, with Bill Schneider (BASc ’63) as editor, the first alumni letter was produced and sent to members of the Toronto Chapter of the University of ��ݮ��Ƶ Alumni Association. The letter featured comments from alumni and provided information on chapter activities.

Less than four years later, the publication had extended its reach to include all members of the ��ݮ��Ƶ alumni community and changed its style and name to the University of ��ݮ��Ƶ Association Newsletter.

“Two major purposes are attempted in the publication of this newsletter,” wrote Graham Schaefer (BASc ’63), editor of the February 1969 issue. “The first purpose is to keep alumni informed of events at the University … [and] to use the newsletter as a sounding board for opinions by the alumni on issues related to the University.”

Exactly one year later — true to ��ݮ��Ƶ’s style of thinking differently — readers of the newsletter were informed that some changes were on the horizon.

The birth of the Alumni Courier

As the University’s alumni network grew so did the need for a new imaginative way of telling stories of the people who graced ��ݮ��Ƶ’s campuses with their innovative minds. After considering how the newsletter could better appeal to its audience, a redesign and rebranding of the publication led to the launch of the Alumni Courier in May 1970 — a newspaper style magazine.

“Now that we have improved the appearance, we hope to improve the content,” said Pete Allison (BASc ’66), editor of the inaugural edition of the rebranded publication.

The Alumni Courier was delivered with a copy of the Gazette [the campus newspaper written by staff] tucked inside. Because the publication had significantly grown since 1965, Allison and his co-editor Cory Wilson (BASc ’69) issued a call for volunteers in December 1970 to support with magazine development.

After a decade of the publication, the newsletter officially changed its format to a magazine and the University of ��ݮ��Ƶ Courier was born in September 1980. Chris Redmond (MA ’73), editor of the first issue, described the quarterly publication as “a magazine for alumni and friends.”

The start of a new era

Since its inception, ��ݮ��Ƶ has established itself as a game-changer for research and innovation, so it was only right that its publication for alumni kept up with the times.

“We’ll continue to make the improvements we think are necessary to make your alumni magazine an entertaining, informative link with your alma mater.”

— Martin Van Nierop

After nine years of the Courier, the penultimate change happened: the birth of the University of ��ݮ��Ƶ Alumni Magazine.

“You’ve probably noticed this isn’t the Courier you’re used to seeing,” said Martin Van Nierop in the inaugural editor’s letter of the magazine in April 1989. “With shorter stories, more campus capsules and expanded coverage of UW alumni, we’re hoping to make it a better read for busy, on-the-go ��ݮ��Ƶ grads.”

And since then, the publication has continued to evolve, including to its abbreviated and longest-lasting name and format known as the “��ݮ��Ƶ Magazine.”

Soaring to new heights

In the late 90s, with Linda Kenyon (BA ’83, MA ’87) as editor, the magazine took a new direction — the one most like what our readers know today.

“The newly redesigned publication devoted significant space to in-depth articles on research at ��ݮ��Ƶ — something our readers had said they wanted — and there was no shortage of material to draw on,” Kenyon said.

This new approach led the magazine to win gold in the Best Magazine category in the Canadian Council for the Advancement of Education’s 2003 Prix d’Excellence competition.

“It’s my proudest achievement as editor of the magazine,” Kenyon shared.

After 60 years of iteration showcasing ��ݮ��Ƶ talent through stories that engage, inspire and connect our alumni community, we are once again evolving how we showcase ��ݮ��Ƶ’s community of more than 255,000 graduates. After carefully considering the evolving needs of our users, we officially bid farewell to the ��ݮ��Ƶ Magazine.

We understand how important the magazine has been, and we remain committed to promoting valuable human-interest stories that showcase the incredible ��ݮ��Ƶ community members as they improve life in their community and beyond.

If you are a ��ݮ��Ƶ alum and would like to receive communications, please update your e-mail to receive stories, news and updates.

This story was developed with the support of the University of ��ݮ��Ƶ’s Special Collections and Archives.

Campus

Community

Magazine

When support comes full circle

Bernice Ma — Tue, 13 May 2025 04:00:00 +0000

Disney Lam honours her father’s legacy by encouraging the next generation of female software engineers

Disney Lam’s (BMath ’14) father supported her love of technology from a young age, giving her tasks like setting up computer networks in the family’s home. He inspired her to build a successful career in software engineering, creating technical systems to drive business outcomes at tech giants like Google and NVIDIA.

Disney Lam (BMath ’14)
Director, AI infrastructure engineering

But in 2022, Lam found herself working desperately to establish a remote connection to a hospital room 3,000 miles away so she could see her father one last time before he died.

“I thought, ‘This is the last time I'll do tech support for my dad and it’s to send him on his way. It feels so strange. It's like life has come full circle.”

Two years later, that circle looped around again.

Lam established the Tung Lam Women in Computer Science Scholarship to honour her father, whose support, business acumen and kindness shaped her life and career. This endowed award provides $5,000 each to two female-identifying students in ��ݮ��Ƶ computer science programs where women are underrepresented. 

“I’m hoping to meet the scholarship recipients, these up-and-coming women, and be part of their journey too.”

— Disney Lam (BMath ’14)

Although she’s made a name for herself in computer science, Lam began her studies at ��ݮ��Ƶ in the Math and Business Double Degree program. 

“I was always interested in computer science courses, but back then I didn't really think of computer science as something I could major in,” she said.

That changed when Lam entered the co-op program, where she explored a variety of roles and industries. 

“I realized that even though I was a business student, I was really good in tech. I started writing code to automate manual processes during my co-op terms. Then, I wanted to learn how to build systems that would automate the writing of that code.” 

Lam took a computer networking course during one of her co-op work terms. She did so well that she switched her major to computer science in her third year. 

For a while, Lam thought she might pursue a research career. However, after a year as a PhD candidate at Princeton University, she returned to industry, drawn by the opportunity to directly impact how companies are run. 

Starting as a junior software engineer, her career path included stints at Google, Facebook (now Meta) and Cruise, taking on roles of increasing scope and responsibility. Lam currently works at NVIDIA, a company that makes graphics processors and is helping drive the AI revolution. 

At Facebook, Lam met software engineer and ��ݮ��Ƶ alum Rico Mariani (BMath ’88). He became an ally and mentor, helping her navigate and thrive in a male-dominated industry. 

Mariani told her, “It doesn’t matter what software you write. It’s all about the people.” That statement, echoing her father’s consideration for others, resonated with Lam. 

“I believe that technology is what changes the world,” she said. “I like being able to influence business decisions and drive outcomes through the systems that I build. But the part of my job that I enjoy the most is coaching my team and working with them daily.” 

It’s that personal connection Lam hopes she’ll be able to foster through the scholarships she’s created. She’s not satisfied with merely providing financial support. She hopes to mentor other women — just as Mariani and her father did. 

“I think in tech you sometimes lose the human element,” she said. “I want to understand what people want to do in their careers and where they want to grow. I’m hoping to meet the scholarship recipients, these up-and-coming women, and be part of their journey too.” 

Campus

Math

Awards, Honours and Rankings

Magazine

Adaptis helps building owners and operators meet their profitability and sustainability goals

Sam Charles — Fri, 09 May 2025 15:14:23 +0000

The real estate decision-making tool raises $4 million USD in seed funding to accelerate innovation in housing and property development

Artificial intelligence (AI) and deep tech are revolutionizing how building developers and owners design, build and maintain their properties thanks to Adaptis, a Velocity startup. The decision-making platform supports optimizing cost-benefit and carbon usage from concept to completion by integrating financial, sustainability and operational data.

In its latest seed funding round, Adaptis has secured $4 million USD ($5.5 million CDN) from Building Ventures, including MetaProp, 2048 Ventures, Powerhouse Ventures and Blue Vision Capital.

“Through each seed investment stage, Adaptis has been able to build upon our momentum through upgrading our platform and scaling across different geographies,” says Sheida Shahi (PhD ‘21), CEO of Adaptis. “We’re continuing to build out our product and sales teams to best position us for our next phase of growth.”

The platform spearheaded by Shahi and co-founder Aida Mollaei (PhD ‘24) empowers owners, architects and engineers to lower building costs, generate more design options, reduce project timelines and optimize on-going operational costs.

Originally envisioned to support one building at a time, customers encouraged Adaptis to offer the same support for multiple buildings.

“It has been an exciting journey so far, and what we’ve discovered along the way is that our original concept still resonates,” Shahi says. “Customers still want what we first brought to market, so now we are looking at ways to make it even better.”

Adaptis could play an important role in addressing the ongoing housing crisis facing communities across Canada and the United States. By integrating hundreds of compliance parameters into a single AI-driven platform, including those related to building permits and assessments, the platform can shorten timelines to weeks from months and help developers break ground faster.

Shahi and Mollaei originally developed Adaptis as graduate students at the University of ��ݮ��Ƶ. They intended to build a platform that automated the circularity of buildings during their whole lifecycle. To turn their sustainable technology into a viable business, they needed to make it economically beneficial for the client.

“Linking profitability and sustainability is not just a strategic advantage in the construction and real estate development sector — it’s becoming a requirement for long-term success,” Shahi says. “Especially amid rising regulatory pressure, consumer demand for greener buildings and escalating construction costs, our platform provides decision-makers with vital real-time information they need right at their fingertips.”

As a data-driven platform, Adaptis provides in-depth actionable, retrofit and decarbonization strategies that seamlessly integrate into capital planning workflows.

Adaptis has seen their revenue double since 2023, expanding into eight regions including British Columbia, Washington State and New York. The platform has more than 350 buildings in active operation, with another 400 more set to onboard next quarter.

Just as impressively, the platform has diverted more than 6,000 tons of waste and avoided 108,000 Co2 emissions while saving building owners an average of 20 per cent in capital expenditures.

With Ontario targeting to build 1.5 million homes by 2031, and many other jurisdictions across North America with similar targets, tools like Adaptis have the potential to streamline building processes and support expediting homebuilding to meet those demands.

“When we look to the future, we are excited about the work ahead in coordinating the science, technology and scalable infrastructure required to continue supporting our customers to succeed.”

Technological Futures

Connecting ��ݮ��Ƶ’s best students with Canada’s best companies

Sam Charles — Thu, 08 May 2025 01:09:34 +0000

True North Fund partners with ��ݮ��Ƶ to develop a Canadian talent pipeline to help strengthen the country’s top 100 tech firms

Chris Albinson, co-founder and managing partner of Canadian venture capital fund True North Fund and co-founder of C100, says Canada is at a critical juncture in its continuing evolution as a global innovator. He says the country and its tech leaders need to work harder to retain the best and the brightest.

“We really need to build the narrative of 'Canada or bust!' The time for 'Cali or bust' that we hear from students has come to a close,” says ��ݮ��Ƶ-based Albinson. “For the first time we have a critical mass of global leaders based in Canada. We need to connect them to our best students. Considering the geopolitical environment we’re in, now is the time.”

Prompted by conversations at last spring’s convocation with University President and Vice-Chancellor Vivek Goel and Faculty of Engineering Dean Mary Wells, Albinson says they started exploring more ways to connect ��ݮ��Ƶ’s best students with Canada’s top private companies. That work has culminated in a partnership between True North and the University.

“As much as we’re proud to see our students thriving around the world, we also have a responsibility to show them they can build ambitious, meaningful careers right here in Canada,” Wells says. “Partnerships like this one with True North connect our students to top-tier co-op opportunities and help them see the possibilities that exist at home. I want them to see themselves not just working in Canada but also helping to build it for the future.”

Team True North is modelled after Canada’s “Own the Podium” Olympic strategy which focuses on providing resources to athletes with the highest potential for success. By merging True North’s roster of tech companies with ��ݮ��Ƶ’s co-op network, it creates a pipeline for growth and innovation in Canada.

Using an objective global standard data, True North identifies the top performing tech companies in Canada. The True North branding will provide students with the knowledge and confidence that they will have a meaningful and fulfilling co-op or full time experience at a global leader, right here in Canada.

At the bottom of each job description for these companies, it will read: “This company is part of Team True North, a comprehensive group of Canadian tech firms with performance and growth rates that match the top 1 per cent of companies worldwide.”

Some students might be surprised to learn that companies such as Arctic Wolf, Clearpath Robotics, 1Password, eSentire, Miovision Technologies and Faire are not only based in Canada but local to the ��ݮ��Ƶ region.

From the beginning, the world’s top high-tech companies have come to the University of ��ݮ��Ƶ to recruit its students. They are frequently drawn to ��ݮ��Ƶ by its track-record of developing leaders and innovators across sectors. For students, especially those seeking co-op experience, they are keen to join these large companies for the prestige and bragging rights.

The University has more than 8,000 employer partners across more than 70 countries including major tech companies such as Microsoft and Google. Despite data that shows every dollar invested by a business in a ��ݮ��Ƶ co-op student creates a greater economic gain, small and medium-sized companies may worry there might not be a critical mass of co-op applicants to draw talent from.

“We’ve heard that all high performing Canadian firms know about ��ݮ��Ƶ, but aren’t sure there are opportunities for them to recruit the University’s top students when competing against the world’s biggest companies,” Albinson says. “The same is true on the other side of the equation, that many students simply don’t realize the global leading opportunities right here in Canada, and we want to change that.”

Of Canada’s top 100 highest performing private companies, two-third are already working with ��ݮ��Ƶ co-op students. Albinson wants to close the gap with the remaining third of companies who he believes are missing an opportunity. “If we want these companies to compete globally, we need to connect them to ��ݮ��Ƶ’s talent pipeline, and vice versa, we need ��ݮ��Ƶ’s students to know and seek out these global Canadian companies.”

Companies like Faire, an online wholesale marketplace for retailers and brands, are already benefiting from its relationship with the University. With offices in San Francisco, Salt Lake City and ��ݮ��Ƶ, it employs more than 200 staff, many with University of ��ݮ��Ƶ connections.

“Our region is fortunate to be the epicentre of innovation in Canada,” Albinson says. “Our new partnership with the University of ��ݮ��Ƶ will help connect Canada’s best students with Canada’s best companies.”

Co-op and Experiential Education

Entrepreneurship

Global Futures

Economic Futures

Technological Futures

Planting the seeds for innovation and curiosity

Sam Charles — Tue, 06 May 2025 10:00:00 +0000

More than 100,000 children and youth from across the region are discovering the wonders of science and technology through the University of ��ݮ��Ƶ

Ask a 10-year-old in ��ݮ��Ƶ region about the University of ��ݮ��Ƶ and they may tell you about the time they played with Nao or Talos, the humanoid robots housed in ��ݮ��Ƶ Engineering’s RoboHub.

Every week, elementary school-aged students from across the region, visit campus as part of the Kids on Campus and "Mentor" lab programs to learn about a variety of topics including AI and technology literacy. Their visits can include stops at the RoboHub, Institute for Quantum Computing, Crash Labs (MME) and WatiMake Lab. Not only do these programs become a foundation for the students’ future success, but they play a role in maintaining the region’s strengths in developing talent and technology.

In the past five years, Engineering Outreach has offered more than 3,000 programs and reached nearly 100,000 youth.

“Our region benefits from having one of Canada’s most innovative universities here in our backyard,” says Sophie Nasato, senior manager Engineering Outreach. “There is nothing like seeing the spark that ignites in the eyes of so many of the young people who visit our campus when they program a robot or learn how technology impacts their world.”

The impact of the University goes far beyond the sharing of knowledge, innovative research or launching of start-ups. Through outreach programs led by each of its faculties, ��ݮ��Ƶ engages and motivates children and youth in its community to be curious and explore. From STEM programs to the arts and sports, the University seeks to inspire its broader community.

There are many factors that draw students and researchers to ��ݮ��Ƶ. Its reputation for being cutting-edge and its co-op program are two of the biggest, but its connection to community is another.

Fourth-year Mathematical Physics (co-op) and Astrophysics minor student, Lauren Brown first experienced ��ݮ��Ƶ outreach as an eight-year-old attending ESQ summer camp. “Outreach played a major role in my decision to ultimately attend ��ݮ��Ƶ,” she says. “While I enjoyed my schooling, I strongly benefited from learning about topics outside of the standard curriculum, surrounded by like-minded individuals.”

Brown attended ESQ summer camps and Go Eng Girl programming for five years. She says she also benefited from Engineering Outreach classroom workshops. “It was a full-circle moment when I started attending schools in the region to teach students about the same topics I had been interested in back then. I decided to work with Outreach because I wanted to give back to the community that helped me grow into the learner I am today.”

��ݮ��Ƶ was established in the 1950s with the goal of helping tackle some of the world’s most daunting challenges. Today, ��ݮ��Ƶ continues to share with the world innovative solutions to global challenges while working in collaboration locally to ensure they are addressed in its own surrounding communities.

These challenges include preparing a workforce that is agile and ready for whatever tomorrow brings. That work doesn’t simply begin when first-year students step onto campus. For many youth in the ��ݮ��Ƶ region, it starts in elementary school with a trip to campus, a classroom workshop with ��ݮ��Ƶ students, or by attending a summer camp.

“I still remember seeing my fingerprint for the first time and participating in energy and water filtration activities in grades four or five when ��ݮ��Ƶ scientists visited my class,” says Tasbiha Saif Ansari, a third-year student in the Science and Business program at ��ݮ��Ƶ. Today, Ansari volunteers with the outreach team at the Faculty of Science.

Often in collaboration with community partners and schools, ��ݮ��Ƶ provides outreach programming that includes camps, the Earth Science Museum, clubs, workshops, conferences and community events. This programming is designed for all youth, with an emphasis on those historically under-represented in STEM and under-served populations.

Simone Sankhe is finishing up her first year as a Math and Business major — a joint program between ��ݮ��Ƶ and Wilfrid Laurier. “Attending ESQ at a young age made STEM feel exciting and accessible, and it definitely helped spark the passion that led me to where I am today.”

Not only did Sankhe participate in ESQ camps and Leader in Training programming at ��ݮ��Ƶ, but she was a high school leader in 2023/24, and part-time outreach instructor for the past two years. “It's honestly incredibly rewarding. I love working with Engineering Outreach because we're able to work with so many kids from different backgrounds and it's always so impressive to see how much they already know, and how their interest in STEM is growing."

Helping young Canadians discover STEM

“We’re trying to give every young person in our area, whether they are 7 or 17, the chance to immerse themselves in science and technology,” says Nasato. “The interest and demand from the community continues to grow, and we are grateful to our many donors and partners for supporting the expansion of these offerings.”

The programs are supported by ��ݮ��Ƶ and many generous individual donors and organizations. As lead sponsors, Actua and Let’s Talk Science play an important role in expanding many of the programs to ensure under-served populations have an opportunity to participate. Actua provides funding for many of ��ݮ��Ƶ’s engineering outreach programs while Let’s Talk Science supports science outreach.

While most engineering programs are funded by sponsors and donors, both Faculties largely rely on volunteers, co-op students and staff. Between the Let’s Talk Science program, campus lab days and the Earth Science Museum, the Faculty of Science annually connects with close to 10,000 students ranging from grades 1 to 12.

The campus lab workshops, that take place in April and May, draw grade 11 and 12 classes from across the region and as far as Toronto and Windsor.

“All of our programming is about removing barriers, and letting young people explore and discover,” says Heather Neufeld, manager Science Outreach. “Our overall goal is to help feed people’s curiosity and sense of wonder when it comes to science and learning.”

It is often a full-circle moment for outreach staff and volunteers when they work with young students. “I love when students ask ‘big’ questions because these often lead to fruitful discussions and provide an opportunity for students to ask scientific questions outside of the typical school structure, and without the added pressure of grades,” Brown says. “When students think critically and are interested enough in the material to ask scientific questions, it reminds me of my own experiences at that age, and it is amazing to be a part of that experience for them.”

Everyone involved from participants to instructors benefits from outreach according to Neufeld. “Not only are we inspiring young minds to explore and discover STEM topics, but outreach is also a great opportunity for our student volunteers to connect with the public, share their passion, and explain complicated topics in a way we can all understand.”

Inspired by its long-standing connections with the community, the University continues to foster these connections with the goal of having a positive impact locally and globally. Outreach plays a lasting role in encouraging young and old to be curious and explore what’s possible.

Here is a selection of University of ��ݮ��Ƶ outreach programming:

ESQ Summer Camps led by the Faculty of Engineering with support from the Faculty of Science includes a variety of hands-on activities that explore science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) and feature STEM mentors and tours of exciting spaces on ��ݮ��Ƶ’s campus. Campers will experiment with new technology, develop valuable skills, and connect with friends. Camps are offered in four grade ranges: 2-3, 4-5, 6-7 and 8-9. Find out more about other programs hosted by Engineering Outreach.

You can keep up with the variety of opportunities offered by Science Outreach by signing up for their mailing list. Public lectures, community events and opportunities for both students and schools are shared monthly.

The Student Art Innovation Lab is a mobile Faculty of Arts outreach program that hosts workshops and exhibitions.

Ecology Lab at the Faculty of Environment provides enrichment programs and workshops that include both field and lab activities designed for the students.

The Faculty of Mathematics offers a variety of outreach and enrichment programs to promote mathematics and computer science.

The Faculty of Health has been opening its doors for more than 50 years to host Kinesiology Lab Days. The program introduces high school students to kinesiology — the science of human movement.

��ݮ��Ƶ’s Athletics and Recreation department offers summer youth camps where campers can explore new skills, try out exciting activities and grow into confident Warriors.

Technological Futures

From awareness to action for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls and Two-Spirit People

Angelica Sanchez — Fri, 02 May 2025 11:15:00 +0000

The importance on why awareness and action are both critical on Red Dress Day (May 5) and beyond

The National Day of Awareness for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls and Two-Spirit People is recognized annually on May 5. The day is also known as “Red Dress Day” and it carries deep sorrow, love, accountability and responsibility.

This day was established because there is an ongoing crisis in Canada of missing and murdered Indigenous women, girls and Two-Spirit people and the issue is often overlooked and forgotten — hence the urgent need for awareness and action.

Many people observe the day by hanging empty red dresses in public spaces, following the lead of Red River Métis artist and activist, Jaime Black, who created the REDress Project.

Red dresses hang from a tree in BC Mathews Hall Green in 2023.

“We display [the red dresses] empty in public spaces so that people are confronted with both the violence that women are experiencing but also the presence and power of Indigenous women,” says Black, in a YouTube video featuring the REDress Project at the National Museum of the American Indian.

Indigenous women make up a disproportionate number of missing and murdered persons in this country. According to the Assembly of First Nations, Indigenous women are four times more likely than non-Indigenous women to be victims of violence. Indigenous women make up 4.3 per cent of the population of Canada, and yet, they represent 16 per cent of all female homicide victims, and 11 per cent of missing women. While 56 per cent of Indigenous women have suffered physical assault and 46 per cent have experienced sexual assault.

Additionally, according to the Government of Canada, Indigenous women, girls, Two-Spirit and gender-diverse people are 12 times more likely to go missing or be murdered in comparison to non-Indigenous women in Canada.

These disparities extend into our justice system. Police are less likely to lay or recommend a charge of first-degree murder when the victim is Indigenous (27 per cent) compared to when she is not (54 per cent) according to Statistics Canada.

“Missing and murdered Indigenous women, girls and Two-Spirit people is not just an Indigenous issue — it is a Canadian issue, a global issue and a human issue and it is a crisis,” says Jean Becker, associate vice-president for the Office of Indigenous Relations.

Elder Myeengun Henry, Indigenous Knowledge Keeper, and Jean Becker, associate vice-president for the Office of Indigenous Relations, offering the traditional smudging ceremony during Red Dress Day in 2024.

In response to this crisis, the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls was established. The final report was released in 2019, which concluded that the persistent and deliberate human and Indigenous rights violations constitute a genocide against Indigenous peoples. The report issued 231 Calls for Justice, urging transformative legal and social changes to resolve the crisis.

Despite these calls for justice, the families of femicide victims are often met with indifference. Many cases go unsolved, investigations are delayed or dismissed, and media coverage is minimal — if present at all. The burden of finding answers falls on the grieving families themselves.

“We cannot leave it up to the government and political leaders to create a lasting and much needed change. As Canadians, we each bear a responsibility to contribute to a safer nation for Indigenous women, girls and Two-Spirit people,” Becker says.

What actions can you take?

Learn the names of local missing and murdered Indigenous women in your region
Support Indigenous-led organizations fighting for violence prevention and awareness, such as the Native Women’s Association of Canada
Speak out against racism and sexism when you see it in your workplace, in the justice system or in your communities
Demand that governments uphold the Calls for Justice from the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls and Two Spirit
Use your platform to share about the importance of this issue
Attend an event to raise awareness, honour stolen Indigenous sisters and call for justice

Attend a Red Dress Day event on campus

On May 5, the Office of Indigenous Relations, the Faculty of Health and the Sexual Violence Prevention Office will be hosting a sacred fire led by Elder Myeengun Henry. Followed by a short film screening and a talk featuring Ojibway/Mohawk guest speaker, Cher Obediah, to bring awareness to this ongoing crisis and honour the lives lost. Learn more and register for “Red Dress Reflections – Transforming Tomorrow”.

Campus

Community

Funding the future of optometry

Beth Bohnert — Thu, 01 May 2025 12:28:36 +0000

Through gifts to the ��ݮ��Ƶ Eye Institute, donors are helping to prepare the next generation of eye and vision care providers

“My wife hasn’t seen my eyes in five years,” the patient told University of ��ݮ��Ƶ student Nina Yan on her first day working in an optometry practice. After suffering a concussion, the man was forced to wear dark sunglasses constantly to alleviate the pain of extreme light sensitivity.

After a thorough assessment confirmed the need for prism correction, Yan recalls, “My supervisor and I put some prism and a blue tint in his glasses. Immediately, you could see the release in his shoulders. He started crying with relief. He was able to go about his day almost like before his concussion.

“That experience put into perspective just how important optometry can be.”

As Canada's population gets older and more people develop vision problems, the need for skilled eye care professionals is growing. ��ݮ��Ƶ donors are helping train students like Yan and her classmate Cassidy Roberts through their contributions to the ��ݮ��Ƶ Eye Institute (WEI) at the School of Optometry and Vision Science.

New tools mean new learning opportunities

The WEI, set to open in late 2026, aims to become Canada's leading centre of excellence in optometry, enhancing patient care and serving as a national resource for optometric education and research. It has been made possible, in part, thanks to more than 900 donors who have contributed to equipment and programs. This support helps ��ݮ��Ƶ optometrists advance eye and vision care and provides students with hands-on learning opportunities.

Yan and Roberts are in their final year of the Doctor of Optometry program, in which students rotate through the primary and specialty clinics in the School and private practices across the country. During these rotations, students examine and diagnose patients while supervised by an optometrist.

The two students are currently working at the interim location of the ��ݮ��Ƶ clinic, where the School continues its optometric education and patient care programs during the WEI’s construction.

The School’s clinics — there’s an additional location at the Kitchener Health Sciences campus — are renowned for their advanced care and receive hundreds of referrals each year from across Canada and abroad. One reason for this is the specialty services the clinics offer, made possible by cutting-edge technology funded by donors.

This equipment includes an expanded imaging suite, with tools that enable optometrists to look more deeply into the eye and better diagnose and treat eye diseases and conditions. A corneal topography machine maps layers of the retina and can provide measurements for special contact lenses to treat conditions like corneal scarring.

“Without the topography machine, we wouldn’t be able to fit patients with these lenses. These machines enable us to provide extra care and services that might not be possible elsewhere,” Yan says.

In the imaging suite, optometry student Cassidy Roberts operates a high-precision instrument that measures the length and curvature of the eye. Much of the suite's equipment has been provided through donor support of the ��ݮ��Ƶ Eye Institute.

A safe environment to practice skills

Long before Yan and Roberts stepped into the clinic, donors were helping them prepare to care for patients. The School is home to the donor-funded FYidoctors Simulation Lab. This virtual reality lab allows students to see conditions they will encounter in the clinic.

“The simulation lab provides a safe, structured environment where we can practice our skills and learn about different pathologies,” Roberts says. “Having the software go through exactly what we're seeing and explaining it makes for an easier transition to real-life patients.”

Now that they're preparing to graduate, Yan and Roberts still find the lab useful.

“I used it right before my board exam, just to make sure that my techniques were up to par,” Yan says.

The new technology helps students prepare not only for their future as optometrists, but for the future of their profession as well.

“We have an advanced procedures course where we get to use specialty tools, like the YAG laser. Optometrists are not allowed to do these procedures in Ontario yet. It’s good practice if the scope of practice expands in the next few years,” Yan explains.

Leading-edge technology helps the ��ݮ��Ƶ Eye Institute's clinics provide the highest standard of care — and gives students like Nina Yan unique learning opportunities that might not be available in private practice.

Funding the future

While Roberts and Yan will have left ��ݮ��Ƶ by the time the WEI opens, they are excited by what the expanded clinic and its equipment will mean for future optometry students and patients.

“Right now, we have modern equipment and modern ideas but a very old space. At a time when we have all these new innovations, the WEI will help students stay on top of them and foster our learning,” Roberts says.

“We’d like to send WEI donors a huge, heartfelt thank you,” she adds. “We wouldn't be able to learn the way that we're learning, and we wouldn't be where we are as clinicians right now without their help.

“They're funding not only the School but the future of optometry in Canada.”

On May 15, the University of ��ݮ��Ƶ will launch our first Giving Day. This event encourages you to support the ��ݮ��Ƶ initiatives you care most about — like optometric education and patient care at the ��ݮ��Ƶ Eye Institute— and connect with other donors to increase the impact of your gift. Join us on Giving Day and help ��ݮ��Ƶ build a better tomorrow.

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