Daily Bulletin

Bank provides $2.5 million

An announcement said the partnership "will result in the first degree program of its kind in Canada" in which two departments -- computer science, and electrical and computer engineering -- play equal roles. "As well it will be part of a planned expansion of the departments at UW."

The software engineering program hasn't yet received formal academic approval from UW's senate.

"We need strong growth in our computer and telecom industries to help keep Canada's competitive edge," said Peter Godsoe, chairman and CEO of Scotiabank. "In an age where terms like 'brain drain' are becoming increasingly common, we must be ready to not only keep pace with the competition, but in fact, we must provide the resources so that Canadians can lead the pack. Our partnership provides a great opportunities to support the University of Waterloo, one of Canada's leaders in the IT field."

In the undergraduate software engineering program, a news release said, it is proposed that 100 first-year students will be directly admitted from high school. Students graduating from this program, which will use the co-op system, will receive a Bachelor of Software Engineering degree.

The announcement said UW will also create a professional master's degree program in software engineering, a one-year program for people who are working in the software industry and do not have formal training, as well as for others who have a degree but would benefit from further education in this area.

The Scotiabank funding will come over five years, and includes $1.3 million for the construction and equipment in the Scotiabank Software Engineering Lab; $800,000 for two Scotiabank research Chairs in Software Engineering (additional grants will be sought from federal and provincial government agencies); and $400,000 for creation of the Scotiabank Scholarship Endowment, allowing about $20,000 in annual scholarships.

In thanking Scotiabank, UW president David Johnston said that the partnership, "as well as greatly assisting us to expand our computer departments, will result in more top-quality graduates who have had on-the-job training in one of Canada's most important strategic resource areas".

Yesterday's news release said a Software Engineering Board, representing the engineering and math faculties, will govern the new program. The CS and E&CE departments will share responsibility for administrative support and teaching.

New course talks about image -- by Michelle T. Lehmann

Jill Tomasson Goodwin, drama and speech communication professor, said maintaining image and credibility are important because there are consequences every time a person speaks or acts. She said people and companies constantly strive to project a particular image, one that secures strong goodwill and positive public perception. And that's what Drama 491N will be all about.

Tomasson Goodwin said she plans on using case studies as a platform for class discussions and student presentations. "It's slightly different than the kind of things done in other speech communication courses. Case studies are a new type of pedagogy for our program and I'm quite excited about it."

A large part of the course examines how image and credibility are created through language and visuals to be presented to the public. The course will also explore the interpersonal level to understand how crucial self-image can be in presenting a particular kind of image in any social or professional setting. The first part of the course will investigate the concepts of image and credibility, ways they are attached, and why they are intimately linked. The latter part will be largely social and public as students discover what happens when image or credibility are threatened.

Tomasson Goodwin said the textbook Media Scandals will be used as students probe ideas of image and credibility in such areas as politics, political figures, slander, serious criminal offences, the law, and any profession or organization that is attacked. "We will look at what happens when things go wrong."

And, she said, "It won't be difficult for students to pull this kind of understanding into their own personal sphere. There's not a big leap from the theory of the course to the application in personal situations when dealing with employers, salespeople, and even the opposite sex."

Awards for UW co-op staff

Bert Barber, whose name the award bears, was one of the founders of co-op education at UW and long-time director of what is now known as the co-operative education and career services department.

Chiang's contributions to co-op education extend back to her work in CAFCE as an administrative officer and treasurer, says Olaf Naese of UW's co-op department, who proudly announced the award. In these positions, she established a co-op magazine, did liaison with federal government agencies for funding, and facilitated the setup of new co-op programs in post-secondary institutions. "Her enthusiasm as professionalism set a standard for the rest of us," one nominator remarked.

Since 1990, Chiang has been at UW as a coordinator in the Toronto area. Naese said Chiang's enthusiasm for co-op education obviously "comes from her belief that co-op education is more than gaining work experience, making some money, or finding a job; it is a model of education that enhances the academic learning as well as personal development of every young mind."

Said Chiang: "It is my hope that all students will recognize the significance played by co-op in their educational process, will place learning' as their top priority in the selection of a co-op job."

Another UW coordinator has also been honoured, as Rick Roach received the President's Award at the annual conference of the Ontario Kinesiology Association late in October. This award is presented annually to a Certified Kinesiologist who "embodies the Association's mission and philosophy, specifically promoting the application of the science of human movement and upholding the standards of the profession".

Roach was instrumental in getting the association started. In 1979, he and UW kinesiology professor David Winter discussed the need for a professional association for kinesiologists. The kin department arranged a meeting of practising kinesiologists and faculty members and formed a steering committee in which Roach participated.

The Ontario Association of Applied Kinesiology (in 1994 the name changed to Ontario Kinesiology Association) was incorporated in 1983. Roach served on the executive from 1983 to 1994 and acted as president in 1987 and 1988.

The Association now has more than 1,100 members and has initiated the formation of the Canadian Kinesiology Association with representation from most provinces.

It's a happening place

"The Job Interview in Academe" is the topic of a workshop to be held today starting at noon -- in the Humanities Theatre, which suggests that a big crowd is expected. Pat Rowe of the psychology department, formerly UW's dean of graduate studies and an authority on the connections between education and work, will moderate. "Preparing for an academic interview can be stressful and intimidating," says an explanation from TRACE, the teaching resource office, which is sponsoring the event. "Since it often helps to hear others=92 experiences, we have set up a panel of one graduate student and two recently hired faculty members who will provide insight and tips to help you get prepared and feel more at ease. As well, one UW chair will explain the process from the hiring committee's perspective. A handout of sample interview questions will also be provided. So bring your questions and join us for this workshop!"

Information sessions about the flexible pension plan program, of interest to staff and faculty who have maxed out their RRSP room, will be offered today at 12 noon and Thursday at 4 p.m. in Davis Centre room 1304.

Students "and anyone interested in the prospects of what will happen at the stroke of midnight on December 31 are invited to a CKCO-TV "town hall taping" at noon in the Davis Centre foyer. CKCO's Daiene Vernile hosts the taping with several experts -- including UW associate provost Jay Black -- and a studio audience. The show is to be broadcast November 21.

The career development seminar series continues this week, with "Resume Writing" at 1:30 today and "Letter Writing" following at 2:30. On Thursday at 1:30, it's "The Work Finding Package". All the seminars take place in Needles Hall room 1020.

Jesus Week continues: today the UW Debating Society will moderate a debate -- "Do we need God for morality?" -- between UW philosophy professor Jan Narveson and Kirk Durston of the New Scholars Society of the Campus Crusade for Christ. The event takes place in Engineering Lecture room 101, starting at 4:30.

"Laughing Jesus" by Ralph Kozak

Two events with other Christian slants are scheduled this evening. At St. Jerome's University, the Roman Catholic point of view comes in a lecture by Most. Rev. Paul-André Durocher, auxiliary bishop of Sault Ste. Marie, who will speak on "Spirit-Filled Leadership: Considerations for Catholic Institutions". The lecture begins at 7:00 in Siegfried Hall; admission is free.

The United Church, meanwhile, boasts author-storyteller Ralph Milton, who will be at St. Paul's United College tonight to give the annual François Gérard Memorial Lecture, starting at 7:30. His topic: "Prophetic Laughter: Humour as God's Gift of Wholeness". Again, admission is free.

The Hindi Movie Club will show "Sholay" tonight at 9:15 in Davis Centre room 1302. "All proceeds go to the Sick Children's Hospital," an announcement says. "We also collect items for the food bank."

"Investing in your Future" is the topic of a noon-hour session tomorrow, sponsored by the Employee Assistance Program. The speaker is financial consultant Kevin Smith; the event will start at 12 noon in Davis Centre room 1302.

CAR

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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