Exhibition addresses "wicked" problems

Systems Design Engineering students will exhibit product designs that solve local company problems or address a wicked design problem at an event in the Davis Centre next Tuesday.

15 student groups in a third-year Systems Design Engineering course will be presenting at the exhibition, which runs from 9:00 a.m. until 12:30 p.m. on Tuesday, July 24, in room 1301 of the Davis Centre.

In this case, "wicked" does not have a moral dimension. It is a term used in design and social planning circles to refer to problems that are difficult, if not impossible, to solve because of confusing or contradictory information, changing parameters or requirements, and the tendency for solutions to a particular problem to create further problems down the line.

The student groups were each required to select a problem area, identify a design problem objective and solicit needs from stakeholders — all to lay the groundwork for developing innovative concepts that are prototyped for display.

Among the designs to be showcased and problems to be addressed:

• making car drivers aware of the pollution they create;
• hleping students take lecture notes automatically;
• improving local package delivery efficiency;
• smart home lights;
• educational robots:
• alternative energy water pumps;
• emergency room wait times;
• smart mobile device recharging systems;
• improving education delivery systems;
• soccer goal assessment;
• improving shopping for nutrient-rich groceries;
• hospital beds for the Third World; and
• An app for detecting birds based on their songs.

Additional information can be made available by contacting course instructor Professor John Zelek at jzelek@ uwaterloo.ca or ext. 32567.

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Planning for future success

"The summer season has always been a hub of activity at the University of Waterloo, thanks in part to co-op programs that keep our classrooms full, community outreach efforts that welcome people from the larger community, and the draw of seasonal lecturers from around the world," wrote Vice-President Academic & Provost Sallie Keller in a memo circulated university-wide earlier this month.

"I would like to update you on some important work happening this summer at our university that has helped us define where we stand as an institution and plan our dynamic path forward.

"On June 19, 20 and 21, I met with student, faculty and staff representatives to address three key goals that surfaced in our Mid-cycle Review strategic planning process:

• Enhancing student opportunities and experience
  
• Advancing quality of education
  
• Advancing research excellence and impact.
  
  

"The ideas shared at those sessions are being synthesized and new task force groups will help turn those ideas into action. I look forward to meeting with members of the Senate Long-Range Planning Committee soon to formally engage them in this process.

"Driving change and strengthening our institutional pillars figured prominently on the agenda at our annual executive retreat in June. This learning opportunity brought Waterloo’s new team of senior administrators together for the first time to examine existing issues and discuss how the university intends to move forward.

"Ensuring our success means bolstering our strengths in areas including co-operative education, entrepreneurship, graduate studies and internationalization. With clear and effective leadership, we will need to advance our image and philosophy, increase our visibility and outreach, and improve both our environment and our resources.

"Informed by the strategic planning process, I will also lead a task force to transition our former Multi-Year Accountability Agreement (MYAA) with the provincial government into a new Strategic Mandate Agreement. As you know, Waterloo has a successful track record of working with the government to meet our targets and achieve funding objectives under the MYAA format. We will continue to focus on our priority areas that align with the Government of Ontario’s current objectives.

"I invite you to read the government paper, Strengthening Ontario’s Centres of Creativity, Innovation and Knowledge for yourself by visiting Ontario’s Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities website."

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Friday's notes

Finally, there's nothing like a solid week of technical difficulties to make you feel good about going on vacation. Thanks for your patience while we've dealt with some issues.

Now, about that vacation. I will be away from campus for a couple of weeks starting Monday, and my colleagues here in Communications and Public Affairs will keep the Daily Bulletin coming. They can be reached by e-mail at bulletin@uwaterloo.ca.

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