A simple equation: talent = success

reprinted with permission from the Office of Development's 2010-2011 Stakeholder Report

"Waterloo really knows how to get students to take notice when they're in high school," says Bernard Naumann (BMath '94) (above, photo by Light Imaging) , who remembers taking note of the math contests and the strong reputation Waterloo had in his high school days. "For any high school student who wanted to build a career in math, stats, or computers, it was the school of choice."

Bernard, who serves as senior vice-president, individual insurance at Munich Reinsurance, has carried his experiences at Waterloo through his career and knows that the key to having a successful business boils down to one thing: talent.

"I have a strong belief that having great people builds successful businesses," he says. He also knows that it means finding and connecting with that talent, which is why his company has a strong presence on campus. "We hire co-op students and graduates, and engage with professors and researchers to have two-way communications on trends and research in the field — everyone benefits," he says.

Waterloo aims to attract and retain the best and brightest to Waterloo — both faculty and students. And with a world-class reputation for excellence in mathematics, it's fitting that a new facility, Math 3, would push the faculty well ahead of the competition. "This building is symbolic of just how strong the Waterloo mathematics program has become and where it's headed," says Bernard. "For example, how many other universities have such a substantial space dedicated to statistics and actuarial science? Not many."

This new building was made possible through the federal Knowledge Infrastructure Program, and sees 5,000 people each week in its 392-seat lecture theatre and study rooms. It offers an inspiring space for collaborative research and learning. All those details aside, Bernard is excited to see even more high-calibre graduates walking out of Waterloo's doors and consider walking into those at Munich Reinsurance.

More stories can be found here.

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FELT lab earns innovation award

a news release from Quarry Integrated Communications

Launched just four months ago, the FELT Lab has already received commendation, earning the Innovation Award for one of its founding partners, Quarry Integrated Communications, at the Greater Kitchener Waterloo Chamber of Commerce Business Excellence Awards, held February 16. The FELT Lab is a collaborative endeavor undertaken by the University of Waterloo’s Research Entrepreneurship Acceleration Program (REAP), Christie Digital Systems and Quarry, designed to foster digital media research.

“This award is recognition of not only the novel approach to ideation and entrepreneurship the FELT Lab format represents, but also the merit of public and private sector collaboration in fuelling innovation, now and in the future,” stated Ken Whyte, President of Quarry Integrated Communications. “The high calibre of nominees in this category clearly demonstrates that the Waterloo Region Technology Corridor is setting the pace for innovation in the community and country.”

The FELT Lab provides a venue for research entrepreneurs to gain intensive, hands-on experience with interactive display technologies, allowing them to take an idea from conception to creation to commercialization. To support this activity, the Lab combines the strengths of its founding partners:

• REAP oversees the Lab’s research entrepreneurs (often students), their commercialization ventures, research funding, and public and private sector partnerships.
• Christie provides digital technologies, making significant donations of leading-edge equipment and resources. These contributions complement the technologies from Intel, GestureTek and Float4, funded by the Canadian Foundation for Innovation and Leaders Opportunity Fund.
• Quarry provides technology support, mentorship and funds the Lab accommodations, which are adjacent to Quarry headquarters in St. Jacobs.

Since the FELT Lab’s inception, several new organizations have become involved in the endeavor, including Research In Motion, 3M, Conestoga College, blueRover and PairMobile, bringing additional capabilities, technologies and expertise to the table.

“REAP is delighted that the Chamber of Commerce is acknowledging FELT as a highly innovative mix of public and private sector creativity. Waterloo Region is a hotbed of innovation, and to be acknowledged as a leader in this field is a very high honour,” said Professor David Goodwin, co-founder of REAP.

The Business Excellence Awards are conferred annually by the Greater Kitchener Waterloo Chamber of Commerce to organizations within the Waterloo Region.

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Notes as the working week commences

Senate, at its meeting today, will consider a governance document for the Balsillie School of International Affairs and will approve the new part-time option for the Master of Digital Experience Innovation (MDEI) program. The meeting gets underway at 3:30 p.m. in Needles Hall room 3001.

Today also marks the beginning of Islam Awareness Week (IAW), with "Islam in the 21st Century" being the theme of this year's event. There will be a pancake breakfast taking place at 10:00 a.m. in the Student Life Centre. Other events this week include displays, information booths, and art exhibits, documentary screenings, lectures, a Reciters' Café, and talent night. More details about this weeklong event are available online.

The Faculty of Engineering is inviting one and all to save the date of Wednesday, May 30, for a celebratory dinner honouring Adel Sedra at The Waterloo Inn. Registration for this event will begin in April and more information is available online. Writes engineering event manager Carrie Stevenson, "the $150 ticket will include dinner, refreshments and a tax receipt." This event is one of two farewell events for the outgoing engineering dean; an open house has been scheduled for Thursday, June 21 at the Student Design Centre in Engineering 5. More details will surface closer to the date.

The following is an announcement from the Secretariat: Nominations are requested for the following seats on Senate:

Faculty Representatives

One faculty member of the university to be elected by/from each faculty of the university, terms May 1, 2012 to April 30, 2015.

Faculty-at-large Representatives

Seven faculty members of the university to be elected by/from the members of faculty of the university, terms May 1, 2012 to April 30, 2015.

Faculty Representative from St. Jerome's University and St. Paul’s University College

One faculty member to be elected by/from the members of faculty of St. Jerome's University, term May 1, 2012 to April 30, 2015.

One faculty member to be elected by/from the members of faculty of St. Paul’s University College, term May 1, 2012 to April 30, 2015.

Graduate Student Representatives

Two graduate students of the university to be elected by/from the full- and part-time graduate students of the university, terms May 1, 2012 to April 30, 2014.

One graduate student of the university to be elected by/from the full- and part-time graduate students of the university, term May 1, 2012 to April 30, 2013.

Nomination forms are available from the Secretariat (x36125) and from the Secretariat webpage.

At least five nominators are required in each case. Nominations should be sent to the Secretariat, Needles Hall, Room 3060, no later than 3:00 p.m., Friday, March 16, 2012. Elections will follow if necessary.

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