Waterloo, Bordeaux sign chemistry partnership

by Laura Janzen.

There was an audible buzz in the Quantum Nano Centre Room 0101 on Tuesday as delegates from the University of Waterloo and University of Bordeaux in France inked a unique partnership agreement that establishes Canada’s only Bio-Based Chemistry program. The program will also be the first undergraduate program at University of Waterloo to require study abroad.

In addition to the creation of this new program, the bilateral partnership bears considerable research potential across a range of disciplines, including aging, nanotechnology, energy consumption, smart resource management, biotechnology and maintaining a safe and sustainable water supply.

Conference Chair and Waterloo’s Associate Vice-President of Internationalization, Nello Angerilli, referred to the two universities as close “friends,” meaning the two could collaborate regularly, share information freely, and develop joint funding models for research projects.

Feridun Hamdullahpur observed that the partnership is being called on by both institutions to generate impactful solutions to complex global challenges. “We’re looking for transformative ideas,” he said. He is pictured above signing the partnership agreement with Laurent Servant, associate vice-president, international at the University of Bordeaux.

The partnership between these two research-intensive universities has been developed over five years by faculty, staff, and students at both Universities. President Hamdullahpur traveled to Bordeaux last year to strengthen the ties between the two institutions, laying track for Tuesday’s signing. The partnership represents a further step forward for University of Waterloo’s Strategic Plan, especially its key themes of “global prominence and internationalization”, and in its commitment to “high-impact, highly-relevant research.”

President Feridun Hamdullahpur cited a shared commitment to excellence as the vital enabler to the exciting new partnership. “We shared one important thing,” he said “we shared chemistry.”

 

Back to top

Waterloo magazine online with enhanced site

The latest issue of Waterloo Magazine is hitting mailboxes this week, and in the meantime, the magazine's content is available on a revised and revamped Waterloo Magazine website, which is filled with enhanced content including video interviews with some of Waterloo's rising stars and a new interactive infographic.

Content in the latest issue includes:

• Out of Thin Air - from human health to architecture, 3D printers help innovative ideas take shape.
• Hardware Revolution - manufacturing the future, from wearable technology to high-tech tools
• Team Spirit - at Waterloo, top competitors rely on brains over brawn

"Thanks to the writers, editors, designers, photographers, digital specialists and others who helped create a magazine and website we can all be proud to share," says Stacey Ash, director of integrated marketing & communications.

 

Back to top

The Keystone Picnic is back

by Brent Thornhill.

Spring has finally sprung, and that means the Keystone Campaign annual picnic is just around the corner! The picnic takes place Friday, June 6 on the Davis Centre Quad from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.. Lunch will be served from 11:45 to 1:00 p.m. For evening staff, a Keystone celebration will be held from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m. in the Student Life Centre.

Brought to you by the Office of Advancement and Keystone volunteers, the event is a celebration of our campus community and the many contributions of time and financial support made by our faculty, staff and retirees.  

This year’s picnic will feature live entertainment, burgers, cotton candy, a chance to win prizes, and the ever-popular dunk tank. “The picnic is a big hit among UWaterloo faculty, staff and retirees,” explains event co-chair Sandra Rivers. “It’s a great way to thank those who support the Keystone Campaign while educating others about the impact the campaign has on the University.”

“The picnic will be very interactive,” says co-chair Jane Kolb. “All of the campus community is welcome to attend. Come check out the performances, mix and mingle with colleagues and perfect your throwing skills at the dunk tank!”

Twitter users can tweet their experiences and photos from the picnic using the hashtag #keystone14.

For more information, visit our website or contact Sandra Rivers or Jane Kolb. We hope to see you there!

The Keystone Campaign engages and inspires the campus community in philanthropy. Every year, our family of faculty, staff and retirees donates over one million dollars and countless volunteer hours to support the University of Waterloo.

 

Back to top