Banking expert speaks; funding to come

A news release from Waterloo Media Relations

The chief economist at Scotiabank, Warren Jestin (left), will outline Canada's role in the global economy during a special event at the University of Waterloo today at 11 a.m. at the School of Accounting and Finance, J.G. Hagey Hall of the Humanities, ICAO Lecture Theatre. Jestin, also a senior vice-president at the bank, will join campus leaders as they announce new support for efforts to internationalize the university.

Although the global economy is on the road to recovery, the road will not lead back to the world that existed before the recession began. Jestin, who joined Scotiabank more than 30 years ago, will discuss what the new world realities in the global economy mean for graduating students.

With the major developed economies facing a prolonged period of recuperation and repair, emerging powerhouses like China, India and Brazil have become crucial sources of global locomotion and will have an increasing impact on job creation, both here and abroad, over the next decade.

A popular public speaker and media commentator on economic issues, Jestin is valued for his wide-ranging expertise on Canadian and global economic issues and for his team's well-regarded research work.

Jestin travels extensively to meet experts around the globe to keep pace with the latest developments. Besides an MA and a PhD, Jestin acquired economics experience at the Bank of Canada and has taught at several universities. As chair of Scotiabank’s sponsorship and donations committee, Jestin works closely with a wide variety of charitable institutions.

The new international initiative will support the University of Waterloo's sixth decade strategic plan, Pursuing Global Excellence: Seizing Opportunities for Canada, which calls for expanding Waterloo's presence around the world by providing international opportunities for Canadian students and attracting more international students to study in Waterloo.

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Seeking a new provost: next steps

The University of Waterloo is taking the next steps towards finding a provost. (Feridun Hamdullahpur, now the university’s president, was previously the vice-president, academic, and provost; Geoff McBoyle, associate VP, academic programs, has served as interim provost since Hamdullahpur moved to the president’s office last fall.)

This memo from the university secretariat is directed at faculty: “As required by Policy 48, we are preparing to constitute the nominating committee to identify the next vice-president, academic & provost. Nominations are requested for the following seats on the nominating committee (at least three nominators are required in each case):

• A senator of professorial rank from each Faculty, elected by a vote within that Faculty. (The names of those individuals eligible to stand for nomination are printed on the nomination form.)
• Two regular faculty members, elected from and by the faculty-at-large of the University.

“Completed nomination forms are to be sent to the Chief Returning Officer, Secretariat, Needles Hall, Room 3060, no later than 3:00 p.m., Tuesday, May 31, 2011. Elections will follow if necessary.”

This memo is for regular staff, who have already put forward some candidates for representatives on the same committee:

“Voting is to begin Thursday, May 26, 2011 as regular staff elect two representatives to the Vice-President, Academic & Provost Nominating Committee. Brief campaign statements [and ballot] are available online for the candidates who are contesting the positions:

• Kim Gingerich (assistant to the vice-president, academic & provost)
• Jane Holbrook (Centre for Teaching Excellence)
• Mary Jane Jennings (director of Institutional Analysis & Planning)
• Lynn Judge (director of graduate academic services)
• Ken Lavigne (registrar)
• Jason Testart (director of information security services)

“All regular staff of the University of Waterloo are eligible to vote.  The election runs through June 2, 2011.”

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What else is going on around here

“The Campus Walk has reached the halfway mark,” announces Linda Brogden, the university’s occupational health nurse. The second annual University of Waterloo Campus walk began May 9 and will end June 12 at midnight. “Waterloo campus has 373 walkers, 91 teams and Dubai men's college has 116 walkers, 21 teams.” Who’s in the lead? Check the website for an up-to-date report of the teams and the distance walked to date. The campus walk is an initiative of the university’s Employee Assistance Program. Last year, the walkers’ steps, added up, covered the distance between the Waterloo and Dubai campus (see map), five times over – they walked more than 53,000 kilometres.

Smoking and community health will be the topic of discussion at the annual town hall meeting of the Kitchener and Waterloo Community Foundation (KWCF) today. "Research has shown that an overwhelming majority of smokers and non-smokers agree that outdoor smoking bans are good for the well-being of their community and their children," says Ryan Kennedy, a scientist from the University of Waterloo’s Propel Centre and one of the event presenters. "Restricting outdoor smoking is about protecting people from exposure to dangerous second-hand smoke, but it's also about creating a healthy community. We know the outdoor smoking ban in Woodstock, Ontario helped smokers cut down how much they smoke, and helped some quit and stay quit."

“Each year we take what we’ve learned from our work on the quality of life snapshot Waterloo Region’s Vital Signs and highlight an area of need in our community," says Rosemary Smith, CEO of KWCF. "This year’s town hall will provide an opportunity for our citizens to learn more about creating a smoke-free community – one that is healthier for us all.” The event takes place 4:30 – 6 p.m. at the AR Kaufman Family YMCA, 333 Carwood Drive, Kitchener. Everyone is welcome. More information: visit the website or call (519) 725-1806.

The annual Procurement and Contract Services trade show takes place May 25 and 26 in the Davis Center fishbowl, DC 1301, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., “to help the university community discover the resources available to them through our suppliers,” says a message from Claudia Crespo. Today, “Staples Advantage will be back by popular demand, bringing with them a number of their suppliers.” Tomorrow, the show will feature computers and technology. “Due to the overwhelming success of the computer show in previous years, we’ve invited a number of our suppliers as well as our own Campus Tech Shop to attend. Our ITMS department (formerly Audio Visual) will also be on hand. We believe with the ever-changing technology available, this show offers something new every time we hold it.” There will also be a prize raffle.

The Federation of Students’ University of Waterloo Sustainability Project will accept “Batteries for Biscuits” today and Thursday, 11 a.m. – 2 p.m., in Vendor Alley at the Student Life Centre. Bring in your old batteries, electronics, and ink cartridges — or a non-perishable food item — and exchange them for fresh-baked goods.

“Water Security and the Role of Trade” will be the topic of the inaugural Water Institute Distinguished Lecture by Professor Tony Allan of King’s College London tomorrow at 3 p.m. in the Centre for Environmental and Information Technology, room 1015. Allen received the 2008 Stockholm Water Prize in recognition that he “pioneered the development of key concepts in the understanding and communication of water issues and how they are linked to agriculture, climate change, economics and politics,” according to a release from the Water Institute. “People do not only consume water when they drink it or take a shower. In 1993, Dr. Allan demonstrated this by introducing the ‘virtual water’ concept, which measures how water is embedded in the production and trade of food and consumer products.” More about the lecture.

This CECS event happens off campus. Co-operative Education & Career Services (CECS) is hosting a business development event at the Toronto Board of Trade, 77 Adelaide Street West, today, 5 to 7:30 p.m. A “targeted group of prospects” have been invited, chosen with input from field co-ordinators on the Toronto team and contribution from Alumni Affairs, as well as leads collected over the past year.

The event will feature a presentation by Peggy Jarvie, CECS executive director,  and from a few of CECS’ “champion employers": Serge Mather, recruitment specialist, CPP Investment Board; Walter Schroeder, chairman, DBRS; William M. Tatham, CEO, NexJ Systems; and Nicholas Thadaney, CEO, ITG Canada Corp. They’ll talk about how Waterloo students fit into their talent management strategy and the benefits they get from hiring at Waterloo. Jarvie will also speak about the university, CECS, and how our process works. The event is free and all are welcome. More information and to register.

CPA staff

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