National Co-op Week puts spotlight on Waterloo

by Dana Evans Laity. Part of a week-long focus on National Co-operative Education Week.

National Co-operative Education Week is an opportunity for schools, students, and employers across Canada to raise awareness of and to promote this valuable approach to education. Here at Waterloo, the birthplace of co-op in Canada, we have a lot to be proud of.

The numbers continue to tell Co-op’s remarkable story: Co-operative Education and Career Action (CECA) now partners with over 5,200 regularly hiring employers from around the world. In 2012-2013, co-op students earned $193 million. The majority of all new undergraduate programs at Waterloo, like Health Promotion and Biomedical Engineering, are co-op programs. The 96% employment rate is a testament to the integrity of the program.

“This is an ambitious and exciting time for us, and we’re facing it head on,” says Peggy Jarvie, Executive Director of CECA. “I have an amazing and dedicated team both on- and off-campus, and there isn’t a day we aren’t working hard to build partnerships with employers and fill the pipeline for jobs that will match well with our talented students.” 

Enrolment growth ends student building payments early

Since a 2003 Federation of Students referendum, all co-op students have been contributing to the Tatham Centre's building fund, a commitment that was projected to take twenty-five years to fulfill. In the past decade the number of students enrolled in Waterloo’s 120+ co-op programs has grown by 58 per cent, for a current head count of over 18,300. With significantly more students paying into the fund regularly, the commitment has been met fifteen years ahead of schedule.

“It’s always great news when we’re able to remove a fee – it’s rare,” says Adam Garcia, Vice President, Education for the Federation of Students. “The Tatham Centre creates a really great impression for employers, and creates a safe and supportive environment for students as it facilitates real-world opportunities and encounters. Students can feel really proud that they were a big part of bringing this facility to campus, and that can’t be taken away from them.

“Co-op helps build a certain type of culture at Waterloo, whether you’re in co-op or not. Students choose Waterloo because they know they’re not just getting the ‘learning’ side of education. They know they’re going to get access to the real world.”

Time to celebrate

All co-op students are invited to the Tatham Centre Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday this week from 12:00 to 1:00 p.m. to have cake to commemorate the legacy they’ve created through their contributions to the Tatham Centre building and to celebrate National Co-op Week.

Looking ahead

As she looks towards 60 years of co-operative education legacy at Waterloo in 2017, Jarvie remarks, “it’s definitely a time to celebrate and to say thank you to our incredible students, committed employers, and highly supportive university administration and community. In the same breath, we will continue to build, shape, and grow in our strengths as Waterloo continues to trail blaze in this highly successful format of education.”

 

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Welding research for more reliable pipelines

by Carol Truemner.

Adrian Gerlich, a University of Waterloo Mechanical and Mechatronics Engineering professor, has been named the NSERC/TransCanada Industrial Research Chair in Welding for Energy Infrastructure. Professor Gerlich is one of Canada’s foremost researchers in developing new technology and best practices for the welding and joining industry.

The University of Waterloo’s Mechanical and Mechatronics Department is home to the only Welding and Joining Specialization Program for undergraduate students in Canada. Internationally, Waterloo’s Faculty of Engineering is recognized as one of the top five in the world for welding research.

“The Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada is proud to support the NSERC/TransCanada Industrial Research Chair in Welding for Energy Infrastructure,” said Bert van den Berg, the Acting Vice-President of Research Partnerships at NSERC. “This collaboration is a great example of how matching the expertise and talents of highly-regarded university researchers with the needs of Canadian industry can create value-added solutions for companies”

With more than 60 years’ experience, TransCanada is known for its focus on system reliability and safety.

“As a leader in the responsible development and reliable operation of North American energy infrastructure, we are pleased to partner with a global leader in welding research,” said Kyle Keith, Director, Materials Engineering Department at TransCanada. “TransCanada is a strong supporter of innovation and R&D in the energy sector. The work done by Professor Gerlich and his team will help us continue to develop cutting-edge technologies we can share with our industry peers and use to make our operations even safer and more reliable.”

Professor Gerlich, who joined the University of Waterloo from the University of Alberta in 2012, is a member of the Canadian Welding Association and has published over 40 journal papers and 20 conference papers related to his research. “Our program graduates about 20 mechanical engineering students annually and has established a national reputation for providing extensive hands-on training and rigorous technical preparation in welding engineering,” said Professor Gerlich. “Currently, we have 33 graduate students involved in welding research. With TransCanada and NSERC’s generous support, an additional 10 students will be trained in different aspects of welding and joining processes over the next five years.”

Professor Gerlich’s research focuses on determining how existing materials are affected by welding processes and how new welding technologies will impact their performance. Research involving hybrid arc welding techniques, and friction stir welding will offer new possibilities for enabling stronger and more reliable pipelines in the energy industry and in numerous other industries that rely on welding, including the automotive and aerospace sector.

“Adrian Gerlich’s appointment is a direct reflection of his and Waterloo Engineering’s expertise in the fields of welding and joining,” said Pearl Sullivan, Dean of Engineering at Waterloo. “Partnerships like this one provide the resources needed to continue developing scientific knowledge and Canadian technology that would enable industry to apply advanced techniques when implementing infrastructure to support society’s energy needs.”

Photograph by Neil Trotter, Studio 66.

 

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Celebrating co-op with social media contest

by Caitlin Feehan. Part of a week-long focus on National Co-operative Education Week.

From March 17 to 21, the Canadian Association for Co-operative Education (CAFCE) and the University of Waterloo are inviting students to participate in a social media contest celebrating Co-operative Education Week and capping off the 40th anniversary of CAFCE! Each year, 150 lucky co-op students from across the country are awarded daily and grand prizes.

All students have to do to earn an entry in the Contest during National Co-op Week is to complete the daily challenges, which consist of answering a question on Facebook and/or Twitter, or sharing a photo or video on Instagram. Students are able to make one entry per network per day.

Follow our official channels:

• Instagram: This one’s easy; simply search for the #coopweek hashtag!
• Twitter
• Facebook

Whether you're on Twitter, Facebook or Instagram, you can follow contest and other Co-op Week updates using the official hashtag: #coopweek. And chime in, too!

We are planning on offering five grand prizes to students. This year, winners get to choose a $100 gift card from any of the following retailers:

• Banana Republic
• Amazon
• iTunes
• H&M
• Future Shop

The University of Waterloo is also offering daily prizes every day during National Co-op Week, so there are even more chances to win! View the Daily Contest Challenges now.

Show your school pride from March 17 to 21st! Make your co-op coordinators and advisors proud.

 

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Mini Town Hall tomorrow and other notes

with files from Christina Pace, University Relations.

The second in a series of Mini Town Halls will be taking place on Tuesday, March 18 at the Mike & Ophelia Lazaridis Quantum-Nano Centre, Lower Level Atrium. The theme focus will be on transformational research, with the event running from 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Transformational Research theme leads Bruce Muirhead and John Thompson will be featured discussants, along with other key members of the transformational working group.

The town halls are organized to give an opportunity to members of the university community to learn how the Strategic Plan is being put into action as the theme leaders and members of the theme working groups present their progress and also answer questions.

Similar to the Fall and Spring town hall meetings, questions can be submitted in advance to townhall@uwaterloo.ca, and the conversation can be joined using the #UWth hashtag and also by following @uWaterlooLIVE. The event will be webcast live, and seating is limited.

"Get decked out in green, and head to The Bombshelter Pub for St. Patrick's Day," writes Jacqueline Martinz. "The Bomber, which is owned and operated by the Federation of Students, will be hosting exciting festivities on March 17. Your lucky day begins with a first-come first-serve breakfast at 10:00 a.m. In the evening, the special features will include a live Celtic band and talented fiddlers. Special guest DJ Legal E will be spinning the latest hits for undergraduates to dance the night away."

Tickets are being sold for $8 at The Bombshelter Pub.

The Federation of Students also wants to encourage undergraduates to be responsible while celebrating St. Patrick's Day. Information including safety tips is available online.

Here's the latest Nutrition Month "myth vs. fact" from Health Services dietician Sandra Ace:

Myth: Veggie chips are a healthy snack choice.

Fact: While some brands might contain slightly less calories or fat than regular potato or corn chips, the main ingredients in most veggie chips are typically potato flour or ground corn and oil. Small amounts of added vegetable powder from spinach, sweet potatoes, beets or other veggies contribute to colour and flavor, but don’t add significant amounts of nutrients or fibre. These snacks are still highly processed and typically high in sodium. If you like veggie chips, enjoy them occasionally and check the portion size on the Nutrition Facts panel. However, don’t be fooled into thinking you are getting anywhere close to a serving of vegetables.  If you feel like eating something crunchy, a more nutrient-dense snack option would be cut-up “real” vegetables or a palmful (1/4 cup) of unsalted nuts. 

 

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