Collaboration agreements signed in Brazil

based on a news release by Canada's Technology Triangle

The University of Waterloo recently signed collaboration agreements with two ambitious institutions in Brazil - Pontifica Universidade Catolica do Rio de Janeiro (PUC), an important research-focused university, and National Council for Scientific and Technological Development (CNPq), the national institute responsible for promoting science and technology. The MOUs were outcomes, in part, of a Canada’s Technology Triangle business mission to Brazil, led by Kitchener Mayor Carl Zehr in September.

The mission focused on two-way trade and development with Brazil, exchanged knowledge and experience, promoted Canadian products and services, identified investment opportunities, and developed longer term strategies. Said Dr. George Dixon (left), Vice President, University Research, "The Brazil business mission provided an opportunity to showcase the unique culture of innovation in the Waterloo region by promoting a partnership of research and commercialization strengths from the University of Waterloo with business best practices from the private sector and leadership of senior civic dignitaries."

The bilateral agreement signed between the University of Waterloo and PUC expands upon a long standing relationship to increase researcher exchanges, promote scientific events, conferences and seminars in computer science and in other disciplines of mutual interest. Past interaction between the two universities include research collaboration between Dr. Don Cowan, Distinguished Professor Emeritus, David R. Cheriton School of Computer Science, and Dr. Carlos Jose P. de Lucena of the Department of Informatics at PUC. Over the last 45 years the universities have exchanged over 200 computer science researchers. In 2007, Dr. Cowan received the Brazilian National Order of Scientific Merit - Grand Cross, Brazil’s highest scientific honour, in recognition of his research and the 40-plus years working towards development in Brazilian computer science. He is the only non-Brazilian computer scientist to hold this award.

The agreement between the University of Waterloo and CNPq, which is affiliated with Brazil's Ministry of Science and Technology, facilitates the exchange of students and researchers, joint workshops, exchange of best practice in research and development policies and strategies in a broad range of scientific and technological fields. CNPq supports research and development and innovation projects across Brazil, including doctoral funding for Brazilian students, funding for foreign researchers in Brazil, as well as grants for exchange and international research opportunities.

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Daily Planet's Jay Ingram to speak

A public lecture by broadcaster and author Jay Ingram, past host of the CBC's Quirks and Quarks and The Discovery Channel's Daily Planet on Thursday will kick off the Faculty of Environment's celebration of the opening of its new building, Environment 3. All are invited.

Ingram's presentation, entitled It's Not Just a Building...Moving Ideas to Reality will discuss moving past sustainable rhetoric and putting ideas into action.

Self-guided tours of Environment 3 will begin at 3:00 p.m. Thursday, with the lecture taking place at 5:00 p.m. in the Humanities Theatre. Other speakers at the event include Dean Roy, Associate Provost Bruce Mitchell, Barbara Mason, Executive Vice President, Global Wealth Distribution at Scotiabank, and Steven Franklin, president of Trent University. Mason and Franklin are the 2010 and 2011 winners of the Faculty of Environment's Alumni Achievement award. Ingram's lecture is open to the public.

The formal opening of Environment 3 takes place on Friday, November 18th at 10:30 a.m.

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New look for Health Services site, and so on

The construction underway at Health Services isn't the only change going on - the department has launched a new website. Site administrator Gloria Sicuro invites all to "come and check out the newly re-designed site featuring up-to-date news and announcements on the home page as well as links to the Student Health 101 Newsletter, past and present. Be sure to check out the all new Student Medical Clinic section featuring important links and information for all students." According to Sicuro, the new site also features easy to navigate menus that include information on services provided throughout the Health Services department.

A free concert is taking place at 12:30 p.m. today in the Conrad Grebel University College chapel. Honkyoku Duet: Traditional Shakuhachi solos and contemporary duets will feature Gerard Yun on shakuhachi and Kathryn Ladano on bass clarinet. The event is part of the Noon Hour Concert series sponsored by the University of Waterloo Music Department and Conrad Grebel University College.

The public health flu clinics in the Student Life Centre's multipurpose room will be open 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. today through Friday. Students, employees, and their families are welcome.

"Why should we be studying Japan more, not less?" is the subject of a presentation by Renison University College professor David A. Welch that will take place today from 2:30 p.m. to 3:50 p.m. in the Keiko and Charles Belair Centre for East Asian Studies, room 2101, at Renison University College. Professor Welch is a director at the Balsillie School of International Affairs, CIGI Chair of Global Security, and Management Team Leader for the Japan Futures Initiative. The event is open to the public. RSVP to Laura MacKenzie at lmackenzi@ uwaterloo.ca if you wish to attend.

International Week continues with a presentation entitled Sweden: A Scandinavian Adventure from 12:00 pm to 1:00 pm at NH1116, inside Waterloo International. Check the International Education Week schedule for more information about faculty-based information sessions and other events.

The Waterloo Public Interest Research Group (WPIRG) and the Multicultural Cinema Club will be screening documentary film Crude Sacrifice at 7:00 p.m. in MC2035.

One final note, as we reach the middle of "Movember" I'd like to take this opportunity to invite any and all university participants to send me photos of their progress and/or links to their donation pages. I can't promise anything as creative as this, but there must be something I can do to help promote awareness for men's health.

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