Research funding up by 12 per cent

UW researchers received a total of 1,626 grants in 2005-06, according to a statistical report that's now available online from the UW office of research. That's an increase from 1,496 grants in the previous year — and a jump in their total value from $80.7 million in 2004-05 to $93.2 million in the year that ended last spring.

In total, UW research funding was $123.1 million, including those grants plus $26.3 million in contracts (290 of them) and more than $3 million in licence fees, royalties, and "special" research revenue that doesn't fit in other categories. The total was a 12.2 per cent increase from the previous year's figure.

Research funding has been going up year by year for the past decade, the report shows, with one anomaly: a big jump in 2001-02, when the Canada Foundation for Innovation made extra grants, followed by a drop to normal levels in 2002-03.

Some 59 per cent of grant money comes from the federal government, mostly through the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council and the two other "granting councils". As for contracts, the Ontario government is the biggest source at 35 per cent, with industry providing 27 per cent.

Science gets more research funding than any other faculty — $43.3 million last year — with engineering in second place at $32.3 million. The physics department alone accounts for $13.3 million, followed by electrical and computer engineering at $11.9 million, health studies and gerontology at $9.4 million, optometry at $8.3 million, earth sciences at $7.9 million, chemistry at $7.3 million, and computer science at $7.1 million.

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CS grad gives first-year scholarships

from the UW media relations office

A computer science graduate, Bruno Dammizio, will pave the way for top students from the Niagara area to attend his alma mater with the establishment of new first-year scholarships.

The B. P. Dammizio Computer Science Entrance Scholarships, worth $5,000 each, will be awarded to six exceptional students from the Niagara Region entering computer science, computer engineering and software engineering. Dammizio has provided a $300,000 donation to the UW, with the faculties of engineering and mathematics adding $150,000 apiece to build an endowment of $600,000.

"This is a very generous contribution by one of our graduates," said Tom Coleman, dean of mathematics. "It will provide bright young people with the opportunity to benefit from higher education and embark on a lifetime of solid achievements."

"Higher education is so important in the development of Canada's leaders of tomorrow, no more important than here in Niagara," said Dammizio, in explaining his gift. "I am honoured to facilitate scholarship opportunities to deserving Niagara Region students interested in the pursuit of technological innovation and a commitment to achieving the very highest standards of excellence."

Dammizio said it was "a transformational experience" to attend UW. "It established a solid foundation for future success, instilling a spirit of competitiveness and technological innovation, fostering a commitment to excellence — taking me from a base level of understanding on a journey culminating in a remarkable 20-year career in information technology."

A Thorold native, Dammizio attended Denis Morris High School in St. Catharines and graduated in 1980 from UW with a Bachelor of Mathematics degree in CS. In 1985, he established DMC Inc., serving as its CEO and president over the next 16 years. DMC is one of Canada's leading private information technology consulting companies, delivering award-winning custom solutions, strategies and expertise for the digital economy. In May 2000, DMC Inc. was acquired by AT&T Canada, the telecommunications giant.

At present, Dammizio says he plans to invest more than $30 million to create a world-class golf and tourism venue in Niagara, working with community leaders to promote economic development, as well as funding and facilitating major charitable initiatives.

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A few other notes for today

Space is still available for undergraduate and graduate students in many of UW’s residences for the winter term, says Mike Iley of the department of housing and residences. That includes “limited spaces” for undergrads in UW Place and Mackenzie King Village, plus a sizeable number of spaces in Village I. “We can accommodate groups of friends who want to live on the same floor,” says Iley. In addition, there are rooms in Columbia Lake Village South for co-op students working in Kitchener-Waterloo during the winter term. As for grad students, singles can be accommodated in CLV South, and grads with dependents in CÒV North. Residence applications are available online, he says. “Residence spaces are assigned on a first-come, first-served basis. Undergraduate students who wish to discuss these residence options are more than welcome to contact Amy Fernandes at ext. 3-3705. Graduate students who wish to discuss these residence options are more than welcome to contact Roni Oestreich at ext. 3-6360. Applications for winter residence spaces are currently available online and will remain online until January.”

Says a note from Catherine Schryer, director of the teaching resource office (TRACE): "TRACE welcomes Svitlana Taraban-Gordon as its most recent instructional developer. Svitlana comes to TRACE with an almost newly-minted doctorate (her defence is scheduled for December 12) in Education from York University. Her expertise is in areas related to education and internationalization. In July 2006, for instance, she was a visiting professor at the South East European University in Tetovo, Macedonia. There she implemented a program in communication and education supported by the Netherlands Ministry of Foreign Affairs. She has assumed responsibilities for the Certificate in University Teaching (CUT) program directed at graduate students, but will also be working with faculty members."

David Blowes of UW's department of earth sciences is giving a lecture today (on remediating acid drainage from mine wastes) at Appalachian State University in North Carolina. . . . Kerry Mahoney, long-time staff member in co-op education and career services, has been given the new title of Director, Career Services. . . . The Centre for Learning and Teaching Through Technology (LT3) is featuring its new faculty liaison for arts, Christa Johnston, on its web site this month. . . .

"The Diversity Campaign," writes Rick Theis from UW's student life office, "is hosting two events over the next few days. On Thursday, we will be hosting in coordination with the Muslim Students Association a panel discussion titled 'Through Other Eyes — Islam: Misconceptions of Religion, Media and Identity'. The panel will feature Nazim Baksh of the CBC, Nathan Funk of Conrad Grebel University College, and Omar El Akkad of the Globe and Mail, plus one or two other yet-to-be finalized participants. The event will take place in the Student Life Centre great hall at 6:30, and will also be podcast from the Diversity website. The MSA will also have an Islam information both up in the SLC from 11 to 3 on the same day, providing students with a chance to experience aspects of the religion, architecture, music, clothing, and of course a chance to sample some food. Then Monday, in conjunction with the religious studies department, the Sikh Students Association, the Golden Triangle Sikh Association, and the Dean of Arts office, we will be hosting a free screening of 'Mistaken Identity', a documentary film about Sikh Americans and cultural diversity in a post-9/11 world. Screening is in the Humanities Theatre at 7 p.m. There is additional info and downloadable graphics on our web site."

CAR

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