Well, we all shine on: Cameron Shelley of Systems Design Engineering snapped this picture of the Sun doing its best to shine last Thursday through a window in Engineering 3 over the bridge to Engineering 5.

 

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Waterloo launches new pharmacy program

The University of Waterloo has launched its new and innovative Doctor of Pharmacy program, giving future pharmacists even more opportunity to meet Ontario's modern health-care needs.

Called PharmD, the new program replaces the previous entry-to-practice degree. It provides students with advanced clinical training to closely align with the recently expanded scope of practice for pharmacists across Canada, and prepares them for the direct patient care roles of today’s practitioners.

“We believe that the PharmD program at the University of Waterloo is second to none and will provide students with the foundation that they need to become medication therapy experts,” said Professor David Edwards, Hallman Director of the School of Pharmacy, and associate dean, Faculty of Science.

The program will also have an increased emphasis on interprofessional education, specifically directed toward pharmacists developing collaborative learning environments with physicians, nurses and other health professionals.

“Waterloo Pharmacy students enter their clinical rotations with three years of co-op experience working in the pharmaceutical environment. This gives them the confidence and real-world problem-solving skills to be an active member of the health-care team from day one," said Professor Nancy Waite, associate director of practice-based education and professional outreach at Waterloo, and the Ontario College of Pharmacists Professor in Pharmacy Innovation.

The School of Pharmacy is organizing clinical rotations under the unique Community of Practice model that focuses on patient care in one region. It’s designed to accommodate site realities and needs, and help students become even more engaged in their local pharmacy community.

Students will spend 24 weeks in hospitals, long-term care facilities, community pharmacies, outpatient clinics and family health teams. They will be able to apply their knowledge to the care of patients with a wide range of acute and chronic diseases in these structured rotations. Professional pharmacists and other health-care professions, such as physicians and nurses, provide mentorship and feedback.

 

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Provost: Hiring on hold until end of fiscal year

“In order that the University ends the 2013-14 fiscal year with a budget that has no deficit or a small deficit, I have imposed a hiring freeze for new or replacement positions for staff and faculty as of January 13, 2014,” wrote Vice-President, Academic & Provost Geoff McBoyle in a memo circulated to the University’s Executive Council last week.

This freeze will remain in place until the end of the 2013-14 budget year, which is April 30, 2014.

The provost indicates that those positions with “mission critical” forms already signed are able to proceed with hiring.  The University has been hiring ongoing positions on a mission critical basis since 2008.

This announcement does not impact the hiring of co-op students.

 

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Seminar looks at the future of food production

The Centre for Bioengineering & Biotechnology has organized a seminar entitled "Technology & Food: Research Collaboration and Commercialization" that will take place this Wednesday, January 22 at 3:30 p.m. in DC 1304.

Introductory remarks will be presented by Mayor Brenda Halloran, and the guest speaker is Ted McKechnie, the president and CEO of Canada's Technology For Food (CTFF), which is housed at the Accelerator Centre.

McKechnie is a senior executive with extensive experience in the food industry, having provided leadership at Humpty Dumpty Snack Food Ltd., Maple Leaf Foods and Hostess Frito Lay. Canada’s Technology For Food (CTFF) is an initiative designed to attract tech talent to the area of food-processing production. It is being spearheaded by the City of Waterloo through the Waterloo Economic Development Committee (WEDC), with the Accelerator Centre as a key founding partner.

The Centre for Bioengineering & Biotechnology is "a catalyst for advancing bioengineering and biotechnology research and innovation through industry collaborations and partnerships."

The context for the seminar: Waterloo Region's long history in food production and processing, and the opportunities to leverage the region's strengths in technology and innovation to drive the global competitiveness of local food producers.

 

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MacKinnon Dinner hits milestone, other notes

The History Society is presenting the 30th Annual MacKinnon dinner in honour of Father Hugh MacKinnon.

MacKinnon was a professor of medieval history in the Department of History at the University of Waterloo. He was an accomplished professor who won an Ontario-wide award for teaching excellence and served as Department Chair in the late 1970s. He is also remembered for his sartorial seriousness: he was famous for lecturing in his Oxford University gown. MacKinnon died tragically while on vacation in Mexico in 1981. The annual commemorative lecture was first organized in 1984.

This year's event will take place on Friday, March 7 at the St. George Banquet Hall in Waterloo.

This year's guest speaker is notable historian and Distinguished Professor Emeritus Dr. John English. English was the official biographer of former Canadian Prime Minister Lester Pearson, and also wrote a two volume biography of Pierre Elliott Trudeau. He was the Centre for International Governance Innovation's first executive director.

Tickets to the dinner are $35 and can be purchased online, says Erin Campbell of the History department. Students receive $10 off, but must pay by cheque to Erin.

Human Resources is reporting that a number of retirees have died recently:

Heinz Ruetten died January 15. Ruetten started working at the University in August 1978 and was a Building Serviceman II in Plant Operations at the time of his retirement in March 1986. Heinz is survived by his spouse, Irmgard.

Duane Cook died January 14. Cook began working at the University in August 1974, and worked in Purchasing (Procurement and Contract Services) as the assistant director until he retired in July 1996 under the Special Early Retirement Program (SERP). His visitation is today from 11:00 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. with a memorial service at 1:00 p.m., both at the Henry Walser Funeral Home in Kitchener. Cook is survived by his spouse, Patricia.

William (Bill) Scherrer died January 3. Bill worked at the University from February 1986 through to his retirement in October 2006. He held the position of Supervisor – Maintenance and Cleaning in Housing at Columbia Lake Village. Scherrer is survived by his spouse Marilyn.

John (Jack) Dunnington died December 28, 2013. Dunnington began his career at the University in July 1969. He was the residence manager in Village One. Dunnington retired August 1994. He is survived by his spouse, Greta.

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