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| World Lecture Hall |
Wednesday, February 3, 1999
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Thanks to a research award from the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA), Scott Higgins has pursued interests which contribute not only to science, but to expanded knowledge transfer between northern and southern hemispheres -- an area in which there are incredible opportunities, he predicts.
He's recently returned from examining nitrogen fixation of blue-green algae in Lake Malawi, a body of water the size of Lake Superior and bordered by Malawi, Tanzania and Mozambique. Findings of the project will contribute to baseline data used to monitor and control development which could damage the fragile ecosystem.
Since blue-green algae is an important food source for Lake Malawi fish -- one of the richest and most diverse aquatic populations in the world -- Higgins' work "to provide an understanding of the factors that control the growth of algae" can be used by governments "to conserve this unique ecosystem, and ensure that it is available for the prosperity of the future generations."
Higgins was attracted to UW because of the reputation of its graduate programs, and is convinced he made the right choice. He became interested in limnology through his work at the federal department of fisheries and oceans' Freshwater Institute in Winnipeg, but found that most limnology research was focused on the temperate zones.
"There was little work in the tropical area, and I've wanted to go to Africa since I was this high," he laughs. The Lake Malawi/Nyassa Biodiversity Conservation Project (of which UW is a partner) lured him to Waterloo. "I was nervous because I didn't know anyone," he admits, "but the faculty here is wonderful. UW is the top place in Canada to study tropical limnology, thanks to (his advisors) Robert Hecky and Bill Taylor."
The "Partnerships for Employment" university/college job fair expects to attract about 3,000 students and alumni who will meet more than 130 employers interested in recruiting them to fill contract, part-time and permanent positions, as well as summer jobs, within the next six months.
The all-day event begins at 10 a.m. and ends at 3:30 p.m. Students will be bused to the conference centre from each campus. At UW, return buses will leave from the Student Life Centre at 9:30, 10, 11, 12, 12:30, 1, 1:30 and 2.
Last year, some 2,900 students from the four institutions attended the event, meeting representatives from 128 local and national employers. This year, among the employers expected are computer software companies, retailers, insurance and financial companies, franchise operations, law enforcement, summer recreation and conservation services, government, law enforcement and the military.
"This Job Fair is a great opportunity for students, new graduates and alumni to meet with employers who will be discussing available permanent, contract, summer and part-time employment opportunities" says Carol Ann Olheiser, career adviser of graduating and alumni employment in UW's co-operative education and career services.
"The employment outlook for motivated, post-secondary students and alumni remains positive," said John Cullen, a UW employment coordinator with the job fair steering committee.
"Many employers are attracted to this particular job fair because of the excellent reputations all four co-sponsoring institutions have, not only for graduates and alumni but also for world-class co-operative education and regular undergraduate programs."
One new feature this year is the Optional Next Day Interviews, which will be held at Bingemans on Thursday from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.
"Now, in two days, in one location, employers can meet, screen, interview and make a job offer to qualified applicants from four local institutions," Olheiser said. "The 12 participating employers see this additional interview day as a valuable addition to their Job Fair participation."
In addition to rewriting the document "to improve clarity and readability", two "substantive changes" are proposed. The waiting period for UW supplementary benefits has been reduced from 12 months to six months. As well, for adoption leaves, UW supplementary payments are to be available for 12 weeks to correspond with Employment Insurance payments (ten weeks plus two-week waiting period).
The discussion and review of the policy by both the staff and faculty relations committees was prompted by changes in the Employment standards and Employment Insurance Acts and revisions to Policy 39, Leaves of Absence for Staff Members.
The document can be found on the secretariat web site, or is available in hard copy by phoning ext. 2749. Anyone wishing to submit comments to the committee may direct them to Dianne Scheifele, secretary of the committee, secretariat, Needles Hall, or by email to dscheif@secretariat. The deadline for feedback is Wednesday, February 17.
The faculty of arts is holding an arts preregistration information day from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. in the foyer of Arts Lecture Hall to help students prepare for academic decisions they will have to make in March. Academic counsellors from the arts undergraduate office and representatives from all departments in the faculty of arts will answer questions and hand out material to help students research their choices.
The student awards office will be closed today to deal with "a severe backlog in the workload".
The Federation of Students election campaign continues today with a forum to address the issues scheduled for noon in the Student Life Centre great hall, followed by a forum at 1:30 p.m. to discuss the referendum questions.
"How ordinary people can transform the conflict in their communities and lives" is the focus of a talk today at 12:15 p.m. by Julie Friessen from Community Justice Initiatives. The conflict mediation event, sponsored by the peace and conflict studies program, will be held in the Conrad Grebel College Blue Room.
The school of architecture's winter Arriscraft lecture series presents Richard Harris of McMaster University speaking on "Unplanned Suburbs: A North American Landscape 1900 - 1950" at 3 p.m. in Environmental Studies 2 room 286. The event is a collaboration of UW and Wilfrid Laurier University geography departments, with the school of architecture's faculty seminar series.
The open session of the board of governors meeting will begin later than planned, at 3:15 instead of 2:30 p.m., today, to allow a confidential session to be held first. On the agenda are an update of the operating budget, residence and student services fees, and tuition and student financial support.
The Quaternary Discussion Group will host two talks beginning at 4:30 p.m. in Chemistry 2 room 170. Abigail Burt will speak on "Landscape at Wanuskewin Heritage Park, Saskatchewan" and Stephen Douglas will talk on "Quaternary geology Fort Erie area". Both are grad students in earth sciences.
Two employer information sessions are scheduled today on campus. Teradyne Inc. representatives will meet with graduating electrical and computer engineering students from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. in Davis Centre rooms 1301 and1302, and a session with i2 Technologies from 6 to 8 p.m. at Ground Zero is open to mechanical, electrical, computer and chemical engineering students, as well as math students in computer science or business.
"Fool for Love" by Sam Shepard, a production of the UW drama department, debuts tonight at 8 p.m. in Hagey Hall Studio 180. The play runs through Saturday, and continues February 10 to 13. Tickets -- $8 for students/seniors, $10 others -- can be reserved by phoning the box office at ext. 4908.
"Create your own future: the enterprising edge" session was announced a week prematurely in yesterday's Bulletin. The actual date for the talk, sponsored by the co-op department, is Tuesday, February 9 from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. in Ground Zero.
Barbara Elve
bmelve@uwaterloo.ca
Editor of the Daily Bulletin: Chris Redmond
Information
and Public Affairs, University of Waterloo
credmond@uwaterloo.ca | (519) 888-4567 ext. 3004
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