Celebrate International Education Week

This week the University of Waterloo is joining over 100 countries to celebrate International Education Week (IEW). IEW showcases the significant contribution that international education makes to our social, economic, and cultural well-being and supports Canada’s ongoing efforts to engage on the international stage.

“International Education Week: Celebrating Canada’s Engagement with the World” is Canada’s theme for IEW 2014. The theme underscores the value that Canadians place on connecting with the world through studying abroad, internationalized curricula, and international service.

The IEW calendar, curated by Waterloo International, contains a comprehensive listing of events being put on by partners and stakeholder groups across campus the week of November 16 to 22. Meals with an international flavour will be offered in all Residence and Food Service outlets, and @uwaterloolife will feature an International Instagram Takeover.

Events happening today include an International Movie Night at the Princess Cinema featuring a screening of the film "Wadjda," the first feature-length film shot entirely in Saudi Arabia, and the first with a female director. The film was nominated for 23 international awards and took home 21.

The cost for the event is $2 for students (with valid ID) and $5 for non-students, plus a non-perishable food donation. All food and cash proceeds will go to The Food Bank of Waterloo Region. Doors open at 5:30 p.m., and the film starts at 6:30 p.m. For more information, or to purchase advance tickets, contact Kari Pasick Stewart.

Also tonight, St. Jerome's University is presenting "Soiree Cine" featuring a screening of

"Un long dimanche de fiançailles" staring Audrey Tautou, Gaspard Uliel and Marion Cotillard

in SJU 2017 at 6:30 p.m.

Check the calendar for a full rundown of today's events, which also include a fencing tutorial and a Science mobility information session.

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Dining in the Dark shines light on blindness

This is the latest in a series of #UWCommunity weekly features that highlight Waterloo in the community.

Imagine waking every morning without being able to see the sunrise. Taking a class but needing someone else to write your notes because you can’t see as far as the board.  Slowly losing your sight and knowing that in your country help is not available for you.

Over 600 million people are vision impaired because they do not receive proper eye care.

Optometry Giving Sight works to change all of that. It is a global initiative that seeks to provide diagnosis, care, and treatment for those with sight problems in developing countries.  On September 26, 2014, the University of Waterloo School of Optometry and Vision Science held its 3^rd annual “Dining in the Dark” fundraiser as a part of this global initiative.

Attendees enjoyed a three course meal, live music, amazing door prizes, and a silent auction, all while blindfolded. This experience helps to bring the difficulties of impaired sight to the forefront of the community’s mind, while at the same time raising money to help this issue. Darcy Dennis, one of the organizing students from this year, says “It was incredibly rewarding to see how all of the planning, donations, and generosity of our sponsors, attendees and volunteers came together into a successful event.”

This year Dining in the Dark raised $7,238.66, which is $19,976.51 to date, and it hopes to continue raising funds for years to come. All proceeds from the 3^rd annual Dining in the Dark support Optometry Giving Sight in providing eye care programs, vision centres, training, and affordable exams and glasses in developing countries. 

Optometry Giving Sight is the only global fundraising initiative that specifically targets the prevention of blindness and impaired vision due to uncorrected refractive error – simply the need for an eye exam and a pair of glasses. According to Dennis, “The work that OGS does helps to remind me that the bread and butter of what we do- a simple eye exam and a pair of glasses- can have a massive and immediate impact on the lives of people who do not have access to these services.” 

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There's still time to register for WatITis

A message from the WatITis Committee.

On behalf of the WatITis Committee, we are pleased to announce that registration for the WatITis 2014 conference, taking place December 3rd in the Lazaridis Quantum-Nano Centre, is open now until November 19th, 2014.

To register, view session topics, rooms and times, please visit the WatITis website.

Registration is free. However, there is a $50 charge if you register for the conference but do not show up.

Please note that session rooms and times are subject to change so check back the day before the conference to confirm your timetable.

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Prizes drawn for United Way contributors

A message from the United Way Campaign co-chairs.

The 2014 University of Waterloo United Way Campaign officially runs during the month of October.  In appreciation of those faculty and staff who made donations before October 31st a draw was conducted to award 20 prizes.  

The prizes include a paid day off work for eight employees, $25 gift cards for Retail Services and University Club, free parking for the winter term, lunch with the Provost on December 8th, and lunch with the President on January 6, 2015.

Donors to the campaign have helped make a significant impact on the community. If we reach our goal of $250,000 that could provide help to a neighbourhood for up to five years according to Nancy Bird, VP, Resource Mobilization at United Way of Kitchener Waterloo & Area.

Campaign co-chairs Nadine Collins and James Skidmore express their gratitude to everyone who has supported this year’s campaign but remind everyone that contributions are still being accepted. Information on how to give is available online.

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