Africa expert joins CIGI Campus

with material from the Centre for International Governance Innovation (CIGI)

Internationally-acclaimed expert on Africa Robert I. Rotberg is taking a position as the inaugural Fulbright Research Chair in Political Development at the Balsillie School of International Affairs (BSIA) and Visiting Fulbright Scholar at the Centre for International Governance Innovation (CIGI).

He joins the CIGI Campus in Waterloo from Harvard University, where he was the founding director of the John F. Kennedy School of Government's Program on Intrastate Conflict and Conflict Resolution. Previously, he was a Fulbright scholar at Carleton University's Norman Paterson School of International Affairs and North South Institute.

“We are thrilled for Mr. Rotberg to join us at the CIGI Campus,” says David Dewitt, vice president of programs at CIGI. “Robert is an outstanding scholar and an excellent addition to the group of world-class professors and students on campus. He will contribute profoundly to the policy relevant research and studies taking place this semester.”

Rotberg serves as president emeritus of the World Peace Foundation and has taught political science as the Massachusetts Institute of technology, was academic vice president at Tufts University, and was president of Lafayette College. He is also a Fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences and is a member of the Council on Foreign Relations.

Fulbright Canada awards, specifically the Visiting Research Chairs, enable promising and prominent American scholars, as well as experienced professionals to conduct research, develop collaborations, guest lecture, and teach at select Canadian universities and research centres. At the CIGI Campus, Mr. Rotberg will be working alongside other notable Africa experts, including recently appointed CIGI Chairs Dr. James Orbinski (who is also director of the Africa Initiative at CIGI), Alan Whiteside, and Jonathan Crush.

The prestigious Fulbright international scholarly exchange program is named after US Senator J. William Fulbright.

Photograph courtesy of CIGI.

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Faculty association extends social media reach

The Faculty Association of the University of Waterloo (FAUW) has recently broadened its online presence, according to an email sent out by association president David Porreca. The association is now active on Facebook, Twitter, and Google+, and a brand-new blog, which will update every Monday.

"We invite you to have your say (guest posts to the blog are welcome!) and encourage frank and honest discussion in every one of these fora," writes Porreca. "We'll continue to produce the FAUW Forum, our print newsletter, which will feature a "Best of" our blog posts, and will reserve email for key, time-sensitive communications."

Questions, comments, and blog submissions can be sent to FAUW via email.

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Loose leaves at Campus Bubble

by Jacqueline Martinz, Federation of Students

For warmth when the temperature begins to drop, or to ease the stress of a busy work day, many people turn to tea. With the introduction of loose leaf tea to the Campus Bubble menu this term, the number of people doing this in the University community is bound to increase. Now, customers will be able to savour a cup of Indian chai spiced with cinnamon, ginger, cardamom, and vanilla or green tea with passion fruit flavour and marigold flowers.

“The bubble tea has always been popular, and people will love the loose leaf tea,” says Kumar Patel, vice-president administration and finance for the Federation of Students, which operates Campus Bubble. “We let people sample different flavours last term, and provide feedback. That’s how we decided what to offer.”

Loose leaf tea has larger tea leaves than bagged tea, and these may be put directly into the cup or into a tea infuser for a rich taste and aroma.

Faculty, staff, students and visitors have 11 different flavours to choose from, and the options include black tea, green tea, herbal tea, and white tea. More information about Campus Bubble including location and hours is available online.

Photographs by the Federation of Students.

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Notes on a Tuesday

Frost Week continues today with the Feds’ Get Involved Fair being held today from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Student Life Centre's Great Hall. At the Fair, students will be able to meet volunteers from Feds services including the Campus Response Team, The Women’s Centre, and more to ask questions and get involved. Also tonight, Dragonette appears at Fed Hall with opening act Dirty Radio. Doors open at 9:00 p.m.

Human Resources reports that Gladys Torres has retired as of January 1, 2013. Gladys began working at the university in October 1991 in the Dana Porter Library and retired as a part-time Library Clerk.

Dates and session topics for this term's Waterloo Women's Wednesdays (W3) have been announced:

• Wednesday, January 30 - Anna Kreider, "+2 Charisma/-2 Strength: Sexism in Gaming (And Why It Matters), 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m., Grad House
• Wednesday, February 13 - Organizational/Get To Know You Meeting, 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m., DC Fishbowl (DC 1301)
• Wednesday, February 27 - Jeremy Steffler, Katrina Di Gravio, "Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity" workshop, 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m., Grad House
• Wednesday, March 13, topic TBD, 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m., DC Fishbowl
• Wednesday, March 27 - "Your Name Here: Interested in being a W3 speaker? Here's your chance!", 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m., Grad House
• Wednesday, April 10, topic TBD, 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m., DC Fishbowl
• Wednesday, April 24 - "Your Name Here: Interested in being a W3 speaker? Here's your chance!", 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m., Grad House

W3 is open to all women grad students, post-docs, staff, and faculty. Questions can be sent to Shannon Dea, and there is a Facebook group to check out for updates.

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