May 22, 2002

Wednesday, May 22, 2002

Innovation summit here tomorrow
Federal science report released
Planners discuss urban sprawl
This week's staff positions

Editor:
Chris Redmond
credmond@uwaterloo.ca

One Voice One Vision campaign for local hospitals

Innovation summit here tomorrow

No, the prime minister isn't expected, as campus rumours have claimed; but yes, a federal government "innovation summit" will be held on campus tomorrow.

Industry Canada has announced that the gathering will be held in the just-renovated Rod Coutts Engineering Lecture Hall. The official word came from Ottawa late yesterday, after days of unofficial scurrying by the people responsible for food, microphones, signs and other arrangements.

Happening with the summit

Plaque presentation to honour 13 UW recipients of Canada Research Chairs, 10 a.m.

Ribbon-cutting for the official opening of the J. R. Coutts Engineering Lecture Hall, 10:45.
It's no great surprise, as the government had said two weeks ago that a "summit" for the Kitchener-Waterloo area would be held May 23, and UW is a natural focus for local academic and industry leaders. About 100 people are expected to attend, spending the day talking with government people about "Canada's innovation strategy". I understand that Tom Brzustowski, president of the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council (and a former UW professor and provost) will be there for the day, as will local Member of Parliament Andrew Telegdi.

"It's quite a wonderful opportunity," UW president David Johnston told the university senate last night.

[Rock] The head man on the project, industry minister Allan Rock (right), isn't expected to attend in person. The government announcement said tomorrow's event will be chaired by deputy minister Peter Harder, who just happens to be a Waterloo graduate (in political science).

"Input from the Waterloo summit will contribute to the development of a national action plan, which will be unveiled at the National Summit in November," the government's announcement said. The "summit" is one of about 35 being held across Canada this summer and fall for "comprehensive and focussed discussions" of two white papers that were issued in February.

An Industry Canada news release explains:

Canada's Innovation Strategy requires a national effort. If we are going to improve our competitive position, we need all regions and all sectors of our economy to identify actions that remove barriers to innovation and push Canada toward a common goal of being one of the most innovative countries in the world." In recent years, Canada has eliminated the federal deficit, kept inflation low, dramatically reduced unemployment, improved the debt-to-GDP ratio, and made significant investments in the infrastructure that supports research and development. However, Canada has to do more.

The "summit" series began yesterday with an event in Rouyn-Noranda, Québec. Today brings the one in K-W and one in Chibougamau, Québec.

People not invited to any of the formal consultations are offered a "do it yourself kit" and asked to get together with colleagues or friends to discuss four "challenges":

Creating new knowledge and bringing it to market more quickly
Developing skills for the new economy
Setting the right business and regulatory environment
Strengthening communities across Canada

"What can you do (for your organization, community, region or sector) to support increasing Canada's performance in developing and marketing new ideas?" participants are asked. "What are the major challenges in developing Canadian communities into clusters for innovation?"

Federal science report released --a news release from Industry Canada

Industry Minister Allan Rock has released Investing in Excellence, 1996-2001, the Government of Canada's 2001 report on science and technology. This report provides a five year retrospective on the implementation of the Government of Canada's science and technology strategy, Science and Technology for the New Century.

Investing in Excellence, the fourth in this series of science and technology reports, demonstrates that the federal science and technology program has fundamentally changed since the strategy was released in 1996. New models of partnership and collaboration have been developed to enhance and expand the federal science capacity and bring together key players in science and technology, be they in government, universities or the private sector. These will make use of the considerable pool of expertise that rests outside of government.

Says the Star: "The federal government's efforts to strengthen the economy by boosting Canada's high-tech capability could suffer from a lack of young scientists, a new report says. . . ."
"Science and technology in the Government of Canada is an essential and integral part of the national innovation system. Over time, the roles and interaction of federal departments and agencies with our partners in the innovation system have evolved -- and we must continue this progress," said Minister Rock. "By being more innovative, we will strengthen our economy, which will, in turn, strengthen Canada's social fabric," he added.

Investing in Excellence showcases the major science and technology achievements of science-based departments and agencies in the context of implementing the science and technology strategy. "The report is a collaborative effort of twenty-one science-based departments and agencies, and as such, is a prime example of federal partnership," added Maurizio Bevilacqua, Secretary of State (Science, Research and Development).

Science and Technology Data 2001 is being released with the report. This booklet provides wide-ranging statistical information on Canadian science and technology.

Investing in Excellence, 1996-2001 was prepared under the direction of the Assistant Deputy Minister Committee on Science and Technology. This committee, which comprises members representing all federal departments and agencies with science and technology activities and interests, plays a role in ensuring better coordination of the Government of Canada's science and technology effort.

Investing in Excellence, 1996-2001, and Science and Technology Data 2001 are available online.

Waterloo's a happening place
This week's "Know Your Workplace" session -- on staff recruitment, promotion and transfer -- will be repeated tomorrow morning at 9:00, not today as I wrongly said in yesterday's Bulletin. (The first offering of that session was yesterday at noon hour.)
The bookstore is hosting an "Ask the Expert" session at noon today with gardening columnist David Hobson, who will answer questions about gardens and be available to sign copies ofSoiled Reputations and Diary of a Mad Gardener.
"Health Care, Technology and Privacy" is a talk to be given today by Greg Keeling of the Ontario privacy commissioner's office (4:00, Davis Centre room 1302). It's part of the continuing "Smarter Health" series sponsored by the InfraNet Project and the Education Project for Health Informatics Professionals.
UW Innovate offers a session today that's "an introduction to start-up issues, focusing on new venture incorporation and legal issues". A lawyer will be present to answer questions, as will Kathi Smith, manager of the Business Enterprise Centre that's housed at Kitchener city hall. The event is open to all faculty, students and alumni, says Renee Tremblay at the UW Innovate office. It will run from 5:30 to 6:30 in Environmental Studies I room 350.
At 7:00 tonight, Mohamed Elmasry, professor of electrical and computer engineering, speaks (Davis Centre room 1302) about his new book Spiritual Fitness for Life: A Social Engineering Approach. All are welcome.
Tomorrow, two more events in Davis Centre room 1302: At 12 noon, "Renting to Students: What You Need to Know", by ombudsperson Marianne Miller. At 3:30, "Supramolecular Organometallic Polymer Chemistry", by Ian Manners of the University of Toronto, visiting the Guelph-Waterloo Centre for Graduate Work in Chemistry and Biochemistry under this year's Karasek Lectureship.

Planners discuss urban sprawl -- from the UW news bureau

Graduate students and professors from around North America will discuss the impact of urban sprawl at a planning workshop at UW this week. Hosted by the school of planning, the URBANA workshop involves a consortium of graduate students and faculty from universities in Canada (Université Laval and Waterloo), the United States (University of New Orleans and San Diego State) and Mexico (Universidad de Guanajuato and Universidad Autonoma de Nuevo Leon). The workshop concludes with a visit to Québec City on June 4-7.

"Faculty and students have come to explore the different issues and impacts of urban sprawl," says Jocelyn Nyholt, a planning graduate student who is helping organize the event. "We will be meeting to discuss the issues surrounding urban sprawl in the Americas."

The theme of the workshop this year is "The Core Area Impacts of Urban Sprawl." Among the speakers are UW professors Pierre Filion and Trudi Bunting, who are experts on neighborhood and inner city planning as well as inner city change.

"This is a great opportunity for students to learn more about Waterloo, its urban sprawl challenges as well as Mexican and American perspectives on planning and urban sprawl in the company of other graduate Canadian, American and Mexican students and faculty," Nyholt said.

About 30 participants are here for URBANA, a tri-national student and faculty exchange program focusing on the different aspects of the urban sprawl phenomenon. The program is funded by Human Resources Development Canada, as well as by American and Mexican government agencies.

The main purpose of the multilateral project is to promote a student-centred North American dimension to education and training in urban studies. It aims to improve the quality of human resource development in the three countries and prepare students to work throughout North America by acquiring an international academic profile.

This week's staff positions -- from the human resources department

University Policy 18 provides maximum opportunity for promotion of regular, internal staff members. Those interested in applying for an available position are invited to call Human Resources at extension 2524, for more information or are welcome to visit during regular working hours to view a detailed job description. Human Resources is located in the General Services Complex, Room 130. A current resume is required with your application. You may e-mail resumes to: hrresume@uwaterloo.ca This list is also available for view on the Human Resources Website.

Due to the number of applications received, we regret that we can not respond to external applicants who apply to the vacancies listed below unless an interview is scheduled.

This job list becomes effective Wednesday, May 22, 2002 and should be removed on Tuesday, May 28, 2002.

(For non-union staff vacancies only, if there are no qualified internal applications, a decision may be made, no earlier than seven working days from the job posting, to seek external candidates. All applications received after this decision will be treated on an equal basis, without consideration of the internal status of the candidate).

Secretary to the Chair, Electrical & Computer Engineering, USG 5. Several year's experience working in an academic environment required. In depth knowledge of the University's organizational structure and policies and procedures relating to faculty appointments, promotion and tenure. Knowledge of the grant application process essential. Strong computing skills in Word, Excel and Filemaker Pro along with good working knowledge of Power Point and Cognos. Superior communication (oral and written), organizational interpersonal and problem-solving skills. Proven ability to manage multiple priorities and demands with a high level of accuracy and detail. Demonstrated ability to work independently and as a part of a team in a complex and changing environment. Proven ability to deal with all levels of University administration. Some post-secondary education preferred.
Administrative Secretary, Co-operative Education & Career Services, USG 4. Extensive secretarial experience with a working knowledge of Word, Access & Filemaker Pro. Proven ability to adapt to and learn new software packages. Excellent organizational skills with the ability to handle multiple tasks in a busy environment. Aptitude for accuracy and attention to detail is essential. Ability to work independently and as a team member with good interpersonal skills and excellent judgement skills. Experience with Excel, e-mail, Powerpoint, Synchronize & Netscape would be an asset
Women's Volleyball Coach or Field Hockey Coach and Interuniversity Coordinator, Athletics, USG 7-10. Several years' experience with coaching. Must have NCCP certification. Prior experience coaching other varsity sports accompanied with an understanding of the university sport milieu. Excellent organizational, interpersonal and communication skills. Proficient in standard office tools (e.g. Word and Excel). Proven administrative skills. Demonstrated knowledge of budget preparation. Supervisory experience preferred. The successful incumbent will be responsible for coaching either the women's volleyball team or the women's field hockey team.
Senior Electronics Technician, Audio Visual Centre, USG 7. Degree or Diploma from a recognized technical institution or equivalent education and experience.Must have good communication and interpersonal skills. Sound knowledge of LCD and DLP data projectors and projection technologies. Practical experience in the maintenance of industrial production/display equipment. Practical experience with both analogue and digital equipment preferred. Some microwave experience desirable. Installation and repair of data projection systems and equipment an asset.

The university welcomes and encourages applications from the designated employment equity groups: visible minorities, women, persons with disabilities, and aboriginal people. For more information call University of Waterloo 885-1211 ext. 2524.

CAR

TODAY IN UW HISTORY
May 22, 1975: UW gives an honorary degree to Ira G. Needles as he retires as the university's chancellor. He is succeeded by Carl A. Pollock.