The ribbon's cut; the quantum-nano era begins

It was a ribbon-cutting four years in the making.

But the opening of the Mike and Ophelia Lazaridis Quantum-Nano Centre had much more than four years of history leading up to it, according to master of ceremonies George Dixon, Waterloo's vice-president, university research who spoke as 645 registered guests and hundreds of students packed the building's atrium and the upstairs and downstairs overflow areas Friday morning.

The initial concept of the quantum-nano centre went back to at least the year 2000, with discussions accelerating in 2005. "Great things take time," Dixon explained.

"This is a 285,000 square foot piece of instrumentation," Dixon said. "If you take a look at what drives the entire human endeavour forward, you need the very best people and the very best tools."

The ribbon-cutting ceremony drew dignitaries from local, regional, provincial and federal governments, as well as members of the scientific community both at home and abroad. In contrast to the heat and humidity (and short, but torrential downpour) of the groundbreaking in June 2008, the day was cool with clouds and blue sky spilling in through the glass of the building's central atrium, where it was standing room-only by the time the ceremony got underway.

The facility was hailed as a milestone for quantum and nano research at Waterloo.

But it was the presence of Dr. Stephen Hawking at the event that morning that got the biggest response from the crowd.

The mere mention of his name by master of ceremonies George Dixon caused cheers from the masses of students inside and outside the building (At left, students show their appreciation. Photograph by Sharon McFarlane.).

If anyone could upstage the 285,000 square feet of research and discovery space, it was the famed physicist who, as Dixon noted, for two decades occupied the same research chair at Cambridge once held by Sir Isaac Newton.

Professor Hawking was the first speaker to address the crowd and received a standing ovation.

"This institution will advance our understanding of matter and movement," he said, "illuminating deep mysteries with the light of scientific discovery."

"Friends, you just have to look around today to see this," said Minister of State for Science and Technology Gary Goodyear. "We have an architecturally stunning showpiece where scientific collaboration can lead us to amazing new breakthroughs."

Speaking on the importance of private sector investment in innovation and productivity, Minister of Training, Colleges and Universities Glen Murray thanked Mike Lazaridis for "liberating capital and investing in young people and technology."

"There is a reason we are here at this particular building; at this particular university; in this particular city; in the presence of these particular partners," said Feridun Hamdullahpur. "It's because it had to happen here."

"At Waterloo, we’ve come together to achieve a nexus of research talent; philanthropic vision; government support and world-class post-secondary education," Hamdullahpur continued. "QNC also means chasing tomorrow’s great discoveries. It will ignite a thousand revolutions in science, technology, and humankind’s creative potential."

Institute for Quantum Computing Director Ray Laflamme situated the building's opening in the context of IQC's tenth anniversary this year, thanking donors Mike and Ophelia Lazaridis and Doug Fregin, Research In Motion co-founder and supporter of the Waterloo Institute for Nanotechnology. He noted that thanks to the building's design features to minimize electromagnetic and radio frequency interference, that BlackBerries would not work in the QNC's basement.

“In this symbiotic environment we will come together to tackle the grand challenges.” WIN's executive director Arthur Carty said. “This will indeed be a magical place where new ideas are born.”

"Make no mistake, this is not just another research facility," Mike Lazaridis said as he took the podium. "The QNC is another milestone in a strategic plan we’ve been working towards since 1999. The work done here will transform how we work, live, and play. It will transform the place we live."

Lazaridis drew comparisons between the new centre and Bell Labs, which developed innovations like the vacuum tube, lasers, fiber optics, cellular phone networks, electron microscopes, and the microchip, which helped lead to the creation of Silicon Valley in Santa Clara, California. Scientific developments led to products, which led to companies, which led to jobs, he noted.

"Discoveries and innovations will lead to creation of companies that will lead Waterloo to be known as The Quantum Valley."

"We have all the components here in Waterloo," he continued. "We are recruiting the best minds in physics, engineering, math, computer sciences, materials science. They are exploring, testing, and challenging the laws of physics."

On behalf of the nanotechnology engineering students who would be occupying the building, student Madelaine Liddy thanked the funding partners for their vision and generosity. "We'll pay you back by thinking small, but dreaming big."

The building throws open its doors for a public Open House event on Saturday, September 29.

Photographs by Jonathan Bielaski.

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Campus gears up for Reunion 2012

A message from Alumni Affairs.

On September 29, the University of Waterloo will welcome more than 1,600 alumni back to campus for Reunion 2012.

Rebranded in 2011, Reunion (formerly Homecoming) gives alumni the chance to return to their alma mater, connect with old classmates and participate in a full roster of events. Many faculties are hosting class-specific reunions in addition to events open to all alumni.

“Reunion is the perfect opportunity for alumni to come back to campus and reconnect with friends. We are looking forward to welcoming them back and hope they will take part in some of the great events we have lined up,” said Jason Coolman, Director of Alumni Affairs.

Each year Reunion is made possible thanks to a dedicated team of student and alumni volunteers.

Highly anticipated events include the AHS Fun Run, the Mike & Ophelia Lazaridis Quantum-Nano Centre Open House, East Asian Festival, the ninth annual St. Paul’s Pow Wow, Warriors Football versus Toronto Varsity Blues, Family Reunion and tours of the newest buildings on campus (Mathematics 3, Environment 3, and Engineering 5 & 6).

Complete details for all Reunion events can be found at www.uwaterloo.ca/alumni.

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Associate Vice-President, International named

A news release from the media relations office.

The University of Waterloo has named Nello Angerilli as its new associate vice-president, international.

Angerilli will join Waterloo’s administrative team in February, bringing 30 years of experience in higher education as well as project leadership in developing countries. He has been pro-vice-chancellor, student services and international, at the University of Canterbury in New Zealand since 2010.

“Nello Angerilli’s background abroad strengthens the university’s commitment to establishing partnerships around the world that enhance the educational and research experience of our students and faculty,” said Sallie Ann Keller, vice-president academic & provost of Waterloo.

Waterloo International helps foreign students settle into their studies at Waterloo and establishes learning opportunities in other countries.

“It’s a wonderful challenge to take a high-powered institution to the next level of internationalization,’’ said Angerilli. “I’m excited by the opportunity to work with some very good people to continue building the global reputation of Waterloo.’’

Born and raised in Trail, B.C., Angerilli earned a bachelor of science degree and PhD in biological sciences at Simon Fraser University. He lived in Indonesia for 10 years while working on a development project for the university.

After returning to Canada in 1999, Angerilli held a number of administrative positions at Simon Fraser, including associate vice-president, students and international.

He succeeds Jean-Jacques Van Vlasselaer, interim associate vice-president international. Van Vlasselaer joined Waterloo in 2010 as special adviser to the president, a role that he has continued to fill while leading Waterloo International.

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