Students step forward to #AskHadfield

Photo credit: Joe Petrik, communications and public affairs

On Friday, a handful of students got to step onto the stage at the Hagey Hall Theatre of the Humanities and ask the incoming Commander of the International Space Station, Chris Hadfield, what it's like to live and work among the stars.

"Living in space - to wonder about it, internalize it - it's magnificent," the former University of Waterloo post-grad researcher told a rapt audience.

Connected via an exclusive satellite connection facilitated by the Canadian Space Agency and NASA, the university community enjoyed close to an hour of face-time with the Sarnia native and former Royal Canadian Air Force fighter pilot.

Ian McKenzie, director of aviation with the University of Waterloo's faculties of science and environment, served as master of ceremonies, calling on Canadian Astronaut Jeremy Hansen (@Astro_Jeremy) to talk space with the crowd prior to the Hadfield feature presentation. he then invited President Feridun Hamdullahpur on stage to make formal contact with the International Space Station via a precisely worded "Voice Protocol".

Technically referred to as a communications "downlink", the dialogue between the University of Waterloo and the International Space Station showcased the profound mutual admiration between Chris and the campus.

"The University of Waterloo really is a premier Canadian university," Hadfield opined to a receptive audience. Future astronauts would do well to study at Waterloo, he said, commenting on the importance of academic prowess, physical fitness, and good judgement to success in space.

After a wide-ranging and informative conversation with Astronaut Hadfield, available for viewing via Livestream, Master of Ceremonies Ian McKenzie took it home with a thoughtful outro.

"An end note to students," he began. "Technology allows you to peer over the shoulder of a scientist in a lab; an artist in a studio; and now, an astronaut in space."

"You are now engaged in space learning, and your classroom is the world, and beyond."

Back to top

Feds election results are in

by Jacqueline Martinz, communicaitons co-ordinator, Feds. Photo Credit: Federation of Students.

The ballots were tallied, and the students’ choices for the next Federation of Students’ executive and senators were revealed on February, 15^th at 11 a.m. in the Student Life Centre. The current Feds President, Andrew Noble, announced the names of the winning candidates in the SLC Multi-purpose room to eager on-lookers.

Team Yellow was elected to be the 2013-2014 executive. David Collins won the president spot with 1202 votes. Natasha Pozega won the vice-president, administration and finance spot with 1393 votes. Devin Drury won the vice-president, internal spot with 1441 votes. Adam Garcia won the vice-president, education spot for the second consecutive year with 1643 votes. 

Sean Hunt and Allyson Francis were elected as senators, and a slew of other candidates were acclaimed into their positions as councillors and senators.

“We’re happy to confirm that voter turnout went up this year by approximately two per cent,” said Noble. “More students attended the debates, and shared their thoughts online.”

A list of all the winning candidates and the full breakdown of votes is available on Feds.ca. 

Back to top

SFA team takes top prize at CFA Research Challenge

with files from the School of Accounting and Finance

For the second consecutive year, the student team from the School of Accounting and Finance (SAF) took top prize at the CFA Research Challenge, Local Competition. The team will advance to the Americas Regional Competition held in Toronto in March.

The Waterloo team comprising Arsalan Hashmani (MAcc ‘13), Donna Heng (BAFM ’13), Prasanth Pahirathan (BAFM ’13), Anqi Wang (CFM ‘13), and Ian Weng (MAcc ‘13), competed against three Ontario universities. The provincial level competition required the team to present their submitted research report, which had advanced them to the Local Competition. The team presented their report on a Canadian publicly traded firm, Dollarama, to a panel of industry professionals who evaluated the quality of their research and presentation. 

“Our team this year made an outstanding presentation with solid content, compelling visuals, and strong delivery, impressing all the judges as well as myself,” states Craig Geoffrey, SAF Finance Professor and team mentor. “The team handled their Q&A session very professionally and competently, distinguishing themselves from the other teams and winning the Local level competition. I wish them continued success and the best of luck in the Americas Regional Competition.”

Congratulations Team SFA!

Back to top

Tuesday's notes

This is another reminder that tickets have gone on sale for an International Women's Day Dinner at the University Club, hosted by the university's Women's Studies program, on Friday, March 8.

Nominations are open for a number of faculty and graduate student seats on the university's Senate. The full list of available positions is online, as is the nomination form. Nominations are due by 3:00 p.m. on Friday, March 1.

The 2013-2014 Undergraduate Calendar is now the active calendar on the web. To access the 2012-2013 or older versions of the  Undergraduate Calendar, click on List of Calendars and select the desired calendar.

The Pension Team from Human Resources will be offering a Lunch and Learn Pension session on Tuesday, March 5, 2013, in DC 1302 from 12:00 to 1:00 p.m.

This session is titled “Three Ds To Consider”, in reference to disability, death, and divorce as each relates to your University of Waterloo pension.  Bring your lunch to the event, and find info about future sessions on the Pension Sessions web page at www.hr.uwaterloo.ca/pensionsessions.htm.

Back to top