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University of Waterloo | Waterloo, Ontario, Canada

Wednesday, October 21, 1998

  • First big CFI research grants
  • Cancelled, cancelled, not cancelled
  • Events support the United Way
  • Local volunteers are wanted
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First big CFI research grants

The Canada Foundation for Innovation has approved the first major grants since the federally-created agency went into business last year. It's intended to spend $800 million -- plus interest -- of government money over the next four years, on projects that will attract matching funds from provincial and private sources.

"Representing a total investment of $21.6 million, these awards will help strengthen the capability for world-class research and technology development at 35 Canadian universities and research institutions," says CFI president David Strangway. "These awards represent an important milestone in the development of Canadian innovation. The CFI investment will enable more than 550 researchers in institutions across the country to have access to the advanced equipment and facilities they need to undertake leading-edge research."

One major grant for UW was in the group of projects approved earlier this week. It's for work headed by Shaun Frape of the earth sciences department. Project title: "Gas Chromatograph/Fraction Collector-Gas Mass Spectrometer for stable isotope analysis of chlorine and hydrogen to fingerprint organic compounds (contamination)". CFI hasn't yet said how much money it's awarding for each of the projects that were approved -- a total of 16 across Canada.

Eight other UW projects, and 159 across the country, were put on the list of funding requests that CFI will give closer attention over the next few months. The UW projects are based in computer science, electrical and computer engineering, chemistry, optometry, biology, and information systems and technology.

CFI said a further 121 projects -- including five from Waterloo -- "will not proceed further".

And then there are 28 proposals for buildings "that could be invited to move on to the next stage of the review", CFI says. "Before inviting any such proposal to the next stage of the competition, the CFI will hold a further review to assess the value added of each proposal to Canadian innovation." Among those projects is UW's long-awaited new building, which for CFI purposes is titled the Centre for Environmental and Information Technologies.

The CFI also awarded 67 small-scale grants (under $350,000) this week, to support projects at 26 institutions, not including Waterloo. There were also "research development" grants to "help strengthen the research environment" at seven small universities.

The approvals given this week represent the first money since CFI was set up following the federal budget in the spring of 1997, apart from some modest "new opportunities" grants given this summer to help with start-up costs for young researchers.

Cancelled, cancelled, not cancelled

The brown-bag session on "problem gambling", scheduled for noontime today, has been cancelled. There just weren't enough preregistrations, says Johan Reis of the Employee Assistance Program, which was sponsoring the event. They'll try to reschedule it some time, he says. EAP has two other noon-hour sessions later this term, "Stress Management Made Simple" on November 18 and "The Holidays and Family Dynamics" on December 16, and he's accepting preregistrations for either or both of those -- drop him a note at the health services department.

The meeting of the pension and benefits committee that was scheduled for this morning has also been cancelled.

Among things that will be happening as scheduled: the co-op department will post job match results for chartered accounting students this afternoon. Other students going out on winter term jobs continue in the interview process until November 6.

The undergraduate Science Society holds an election today for the vacant position of vice-president; polls will be open from 9 to 4 near the coffee-and-doughnut outlet on the first floor of Biology I.

Eric McCormack of St. Jerome's University will read from his writings at 4:00 this afternoon in the St. Jerome's common room. "Be very careful about putting your nightmares into words," he wrote in First Blast of the Trumpet Against the Monstrous Regiment of Women, but I take it he's not going to follow his own advice. The reading is free, and everyone is welcome.

An "international forum" is scheduled for tomorrow in the multipurpose room of the Student Life Centre. Says a flyer: "Panelists will discuss international paid/volunteer work opportunities and study exchanges . . . networking will follow." There are three scheduled panels: at 10:00 and 11:00 with representatives of various work-abroad programs, and at 1:00 with people who know about student exchange programs to a number of lands, mostly in Europe. The day's events are sponsored by career services, the international programs office, the international student office and student affairs.

The Federation of Students sends word that its annual general meeting will be held Wednesday, October 28, at 7 p.m. in the multipurpose room of the Student Life Centre. "All fee-paying members of the Federation of Students are eligible to attend and cast a vote at the meeting. Please direct any agenda items to the attention of the president, Christian Provenzano, at 888-4042."

Events support the United Way

Just a few days into the United Way campaign on campus, gifts and pledges have reached $63,943, says Sharon Lamont, co-chair of the campaign. That represents 47 per cent of the $135,000 goal, and comes from a total of 298 donors -- mostly staff and faculty members, but also three retirees.

People in various parts of the university are getting into the United Way spirit. The faculty of arts is an example; Richard Crispin in the psychology department reports that several special fund-raisers are happening over the next few days, including organized dress-down days this Friday and next.

"Second," Crispin writes, "what could be better on a cool autumn day than a bowl of homemade chili and a slice of homemade bread? If this is to your liking, then we have a deal for you." That's the lunch you can get on Monday, October 26, in Humanities room 373, with the $3 charge going to the United Way. "Please, so we know how much chili to prepare," he writes, "get your tickets before October 23." They're available from United Way representatives across arts, or directly from him.

Also planned in arts: a 50-50 raffle, in which tickets are $2, half the money going to the United Way and half to prizes; and, on Tuesday, November 3, a flea market from 11:00 to 2:00 in the Humanities lobby. "Please check your closets, cupboards, under the bed, behind the basement door for items which you can donate. We will have the coat check open on Monday, November 2, from noon till 4:30 p.m. so you can bring your items then."

Fragments from the United Way wish-list: a $2-a-week donation is enough, in the course of a year, to send an underprivileged kid to Scout camp for a week, or to provide two homeless people with food and shelter for a day through the House of Friendship, or to pay for two home visits for two new mothers who need emotional and practical support from Lutherwood.

Local volunteers are wanted

As always, the local Volunteer Action Centre has plenty of opportunities for the willing. Listed this week: For more information, the VAC can be reached at 742-8610.

CAR


Editor of the Daily Bulletin: Chris Redmond
Information and Public Affairs, University of Waterloo
credmond@uwaterloo.ca | (519) 888-4567 ext. 3004
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