The facility will promote unique interaction and synergy between the researchers, serving as a focal core for existing research in applications of smart actuators. Most significantly, the facility will have national importance because it will benefit both the academic community (through theoretical research) and Canadians in general (through applied research and technology transfer, with an emphasis on health care).

A national announcement of $30 million to provide funding to 39 universities and research institutions across Canada was made by CFI and Rock. The New Opportunities program is designed to help launch the careers of new, talented faculty members. CFI is providing $23.1 million for infrastructure support to newly recruited academic staff and $6.9 million to help with operating and maintenance costs associated with new infrastructure projects.

Unlike other CFI programs, the IOF has no requirement for matching funds.

Why a kin prof supports UW's fund

Patla (left) was profiled this spring as the first in a series of faculty and staff members who spoke publicly as supporters of the Keystone Campaign. That's the on-campus division of Campaign Waterloo, launched in June with an eye to raising $4.5 million for the university over the next five years.

"What motivated you to give to Waterloo?" he was asked. The answer: "I've put my faith into my department. I want to make sure that we continue to attract the best students, professors, and staff. I also believe that we need to provide a stimulating environment so that everyone can continue to learn and grow."

What project have you designated your gift to? "I give to the Applied Health Sciences Senate Scholarship Fund. I benefited in my education because of scholarships -- without them I would not have been able to continue my education -- and I hope that my donation gives others the same opportunities that I have had."

If you could invite three famous people to one of your lectures, who would they be? "My father, since he was unable to see me teach. Mrs. Savur, a former teacher from Bombay -- she encouraged me to continue my education. And Guy Laliberté, the founder of Cirque du Soleil -- he showcases the ultimate in movement skills and balance control, which students in biomechanics and neurophysiology, who study motor control, could learn from.

News from Canadian universities

Wilfrid Laurier University has appointed Sharon Brown, former head of general reference at the University of Toronto Robarts Library, to a five-year term as university librarian beginning July 1. Brown’s first challenge will be "to reoccupy the library following extensive renovation underway since early spring". The building has been closed "until further notice" since May 13, and most WLU library materials are not available this summer and fall. WLU news release

Lyle S. Hallman, one of Waterloo Region's most successful businessmen and a noted philanthropist, is giving Laurier's faculty of social work $1.5 million to establish the Lyle S. Hallman Chair in Child and Family Welfare. WLU news release

And Adele Reinhartz will be Laurier's dean of graduate studies and research for five-year term starting July 1. Reinhartz served as McMaster University's associate dean of graduate studies from 1995 to 1999, and has been a tenured professor in the department of religious studies since 1997. "Having served as an associate dean before, Adele Reinhartz has an excellent understanding of graduate studies and its mission," Laurier vice-president (academic) Rowland Smith said. One of Reinhartz's initial challenges lies in increasing graduate programs, both in number and size, to keep pace with the rapidly expanding undergraduate student body. She'll explore the feasibility of expanding existing programs and of creating new ones -- alone or in partnership with other universities. WLU news release

Activist and author Judy Rebick has been named the first CAW-Sam Gindin Chair in Social Justice and Democracy at Ryerson University. Best known to Canadians as the former president of the National Action Committee on the Status of Women, Rebick has been working for the last decade as a TV host, columnist, and author. Ryerson news release

University College of Cape Breton president Jacquelyn Scott resigned May 14, informing the board of governors she would be stepping down June 30, to return to faculty. Scott began holidays and a paid leave May 17. She had been president since 1993. Her resignation came the same day the board approved a revised budget, and three weeks after they defeated the budget she initially proposed, which included extensive program and staff cuts. CAUT Bulletin

A recent series of consultation meetings and open forums coupled with on-line surveys and e-mail feedback have revealed that students at the University of British Columbia would like to see an increase in financial support along with a reduction in the stigma some students associate with that support. UBC Reports

E-mail is costing corporations millions of dollars each year, according to research at the University of Western Ontario. The study, by Christina Cavanagh, professor in the Richard Ivey School of Business, shows e-mail is taking up more and more of employees' valuable time. "Put simply, email is failing as a productivity tool in the workplace," says Cavanagh. "People enjoy the convenience of sending relevant information quickly and easily, but this is far overshadowed by the volumes of low-value e-mails received each day." UWO news release

CAR

TODAY IN UW HISTORY July 8, 1970: In a front-page story, the Gazette announces some new technology in the computing centre: an "optical mark reader", a device that reads pencil marks on cards.