Government confirms support for IQC

The Honourable Ed Holder, Minister of State (Science and Technology) and Peter Braid, Member of Parliament for Kitchener-Waterloo announced renewed support for the Institute of Quantum Computing (IQC) at the University of Waterloo last Thursday.

The Economic Action Plan 2014 included an allotment of $15 million to IQC over three years.

"Today’s announcement strengthens Canada’s economy and increases our innovative capacity," said Feridun Hamdullahpur. "This investment creates the conditions for Canada to continue to lead the world in quantum information research."

Pictured above are MP Harold Albrecht, Raymond Laflamme, Feridun Hamdullahpur, The Honourable Ed Holder, MP, Vice-President, University Research George Dixon, Peter Braid MP, and Marian Meinen.

“Through our updated science, technology and innovation strategy, our government is making the necessary investments to push the boundaries of knowledge, create jobs and prosperity, and improve the quality of life of Canadians,” said Ed Holder, Minister of State (Science and Technology). “This funding will help the Institute for Quantum Computing to continue attracting world-leading research talent and to increasingly translate new knowledge into innovative quantum-based technologies for the benefit of Canadians.”

A multidisciplinary research institute with researchers from the Faculties of Science, Engineering and Mathematics, IQC's goal is to be the world leader in the field of quantum information science and to develop the technologies that will fundamentally impact the ways in which we work, communicate and live.

“Quantum computing has the potential to launch transformative technologies that will create new industries and generate a wave of leading-edge jobs in Waterloo Region’s ‘Quantum Valley,’” said Peter Braid.

Advances in quantum information research are beginning to transform not only computing, but information security and sensing technologies. This rapidly emerging industry – quantum information technology – will lead to continued success for Canada with the renewed support for IQC.

“We are pleased that Minister Holder and MP Peter Braid are here to share the news of how they are helping the Institute for Quantum Computing, and really Waterloo Region, to take advantage of the full spectrum of opportunity quantum technologies present, ” said Professor Raymond Laflamme, executive director, Institute for Quantum Computing at Waterloo. “IQC research doesn’t end in the laboratory. IQC is doing research that will make a difference in the way Canadians live their lives.”

In 2009, the Government of Canada first partnered with IQC with an investment of $50 million. That funding matched Ontario’s investment of $50 million, along with $100 million from Mike Lazaridis. With these investments, IQC has attracted international research talent, made significant discoveries and built a world-class centre for research in quantum technologies and its applications.

Back to top

Panel discusses living with dementia

In recognition of Alzheimer Awareness Month, the Murray Alzheimer Research and Education Program (MAREP) has organized a panel presentation and discussion entitled "My Life, My Dementia: Stories of Self-Management."

The event is scheduled to take place on Tuesday, January 27 at 1:00 p.m. at Luther Village on the Park in Waterloo.

"Self-management has been defined by people living with dementia as “taking control of our lives and taking action to live well.” Assumptions are often made about the abilities of people living with dementia to self-manage," says a note on the event website. "Through stories, research, and advocacy, people living with dementia are challenging these assumptions, and researchers are finding ways to document these stories. This presentation will showcase the stories of individuals living with dementia and how these stories have impacted research and practice."

The event's guest speaker is Professor Elaine Wiersma of Lakehead University, whose talk is entitled "Weaving Together the Elements of Stories, Research, and Practice." Following Professor's Wiersma's remarks, a panel presentation and facilitated discussion will take place featuring Brenda Hounam, Al Stager, Penny Stager,and Thayna Walter, the first link coordinator with the Alzheimer Society of Waterloo Wellington.

During the panel, Brenda Hounam and and Al Stager, people living with dementia and members of the Self-Management Advisory Hub in Kitchener, will talk about their experience being a part of the self-management project and how they self-manage day to day. Penny Stager, Al's sister-in-law and also a member of the Self-Management Advisory Hub in Kitchener, will talk about her experience being part of the self-management project and why it is important to include the voices of people living with dementia in research and practice. Thayna Walter will then speak about some of the community supports and services in the Region of Waterloo that can help those living with dementia to self-manage.

A facilitated discussion will follow the presentation. Following the panel discussion is an awards and recognition reception, in which the Kenneth Murray Partnership in Dementia Award will be presented to Ron and Anne Hopewell and Harold Gutoskie and special recognition will be made of MAREP founder Kenneth Murray's 90th birthday.

Event sponsors include the Ontario Brain Institute and the Network for Aging Research at the University of Waterloo.

For more information, please contact Giselli Panuelos or call 519-888-4567, ext. 36880.

Back to top

Fantastic Alumni Day approaches

The 16th Annual Fantastic Alumni, Faculty, and Staff Day is set for Saturday, February 21 from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.

The men's and women's Warriors basketball teams will be taking on the Western Mustangs in two games that will feature half-time shenanigans including the annual Alumni vs. Staff Monster Hoops Showdown where three staff members will battle three alumni for the 2015 Monster Hoops Championship title, and the ever-popular (paper) Airplane Toss.

One free airplane will be given to each registered guest and extra airplanes can be purchased for $2 each or 3 for $5.

All proceeds from the plane sales will go to KidSport KW to provide grants for children and youth facing financial barriers so they can participate in community sport and dance programs.

Gates open at 12:00 p.m., with the women's game starting at 1:00 p.m. and the men's game at 3:00 p.m.

More details are on the Athletics website.

Back to top

Profs talk about new books and other notes

The Waterloo Bookstore will be featuring authors Jennifer Simpson and Vershawn Young on Tuesday, January 27, where they will be speaking about their books. Simpson, who is acting associate dean and associate professor in the Department of Drama Speech Communication, will be introducing her book "Longing for justice: Higher Education and Democracy’s Agenda." Professor Simpson's book focuses on higher education and its responsibilities to the community, including questions such as: what is the connection between what students learn and what they will do when they graduate?

Joining Simpson is Vershawn Young, an Associate Professor in the Drama and Speech Communication Department. His book, "From Uncle Tom’s Cabin to The Help: Critical Perspective of White-Authored Narratives of Black Life," boldly examines the racial appropriation of African-American life by white authors.

The event takes place in the Bookstore in South Campus Hall at 4:00 p.m. The event is free and open to the public.

Tomorrow is the date for the Entrepreneurship Society's Startup Showcase, where students and startups will have the opportunity to mix and mingle from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. in the Student Life Centre Great Hall.

The showcase will feature more than 30 startups and other entrepreneurial organizations including Velocity, the Accelerator Centre, and Kik. The event is free and registration details are available on the EntSoc website.

The Entrepreneurship Society (EntSoc) was founded in 2011 by mechanical engineering students and holds events every term that focus on networking and skills development for student entrepreneurs of all stripes.

Also tomorrow, St. Paul's GreenHouse will be hosting Professor Larry Smith for a talk entitled "Change your Mind and Change the World: A call to rebels and risk-taking innovators." In his talk, which will take place at 5:30 p.m. in Room 105 at St. Paul's, Smith will challenge the untested assumptions that limit social progress and outline how people need to think more analytically and aggressively about the world’s major problems.

A pizza reception will follow in Alumni Hall.

Back to top