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Thursday, March 8, 2012

  • Security changes coming for remote access
  • SAF students accrue victories
  • March Break open house next week
  • Pharmacy organizes health fair; other notes
  • Editor:
  • Brandon Sweet
  • Communications and Public Affairs
  • bulletin@uwaterloo.ca

Security changes coming for remote access

A memo from Information Systems and Technology's Bruce Campbell (Director, Network Services), and Jason Testart (Director, Information Security Services), outlines the new "firewall-like" access controls to Academic Support networks that will be going up on March 20.

"Effective March 20, staff in Academic Support areas will no longer be able to directly connect to their office workstations from off-campus using Remote Desktop," says the memo. "Instead, staff will need to make use of the campus Virtual Private Network (VPN) service in order to connect to their office workstations from off-campus."

The Virtual Private Network service, provided by IST, facilitates telecommuting and other off-site access to campus network resources. The VPN securely connects a remote computer, such as a desktop or laptop, securely to the uWaterloo campus network. A VPN connection makes it seem as though a remote computer is on campus.

The changes are being made in response to "today's Internet threats," and reflect the fact that historically, most areas of the campus network have been open to the public Internet. "This change will reduce the exposure of the campus network," the memo continues, "which will ultimately reduce the risk of a successful network attack. Eventually, all areas of the campus network will be protected by a campus firewall."

IST recommends that staff members consult the online VPN documentation to learn more about the VPN service. IST also recommends that, prior to March 16, staff try using the VPN service from off-campus. Instructions on how to do so are available for Windows, Mac OS X, and Ubuntu computing platforms.

If in need of assistance, contact the Computing Help & Information Place (CHIP) at extension 84357 or helpdesk @uwaterloo.ca.

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Accounting students Mo Du, Prasanth Pahirathan, and Anqi Wang.
SAF students accrue victories

a media release from the School of Accounting and Finance

Students from the School of Accounting and Finance (SAF) at the University of Waterloo continue to add to a long list of competition wins.

This month, a team of five aspiring investment professionals from the SAF earned their way to New York City after advancing in the global CFA (Chartered Financial Analyst) Institute Research Challenge.

Waterloo accounting team at the Toronto CFA competition.The Waterloo team, pictured at right, comprising of (l-r) Michael C. Liu (MAcc), Daniel Pacione (MAcc), Meng Wang (BAFM '11), Mike Y. Liu (MAcc), and Ian Gutwinski (MAcc), competed against three Ontario universities on March 1 for a coveted spot in the regional North American competition being held in New York City on April 10.

Teams were required to assemble a research report on a publicly traded firm – this year being the Onex Corporation. Groups then presented their report to a panel of industry professionals who evaluated the quality of their research and presentation.

“The fact they are advancing to New York after the Toronto round is a testament to the strength of the team,” explains Craig Geoffrey (pictured above, at right), SAF Finance Professor and team mentor.“Competing with students from across the Americas and the Globe in New York will be a tremendous learning experience for the team, and really a prize in itself. I wish them continued success.”

The finance competition, which attracted more than 2,500 students from 546 universities last year, combines hands-on learning for students and mentoring by industry professionals.
The regional winner will advance to the global final in New York City on April 11, 2012.

Also this month, a group of fourth-year SAF students (pictured in the headline photo) received top honours at the 2012 TD Financial Case Competition hosted by University of Ottawa’s Telfer School of Management. Participating teams from across Canada analysed two cases and presented their recommendations to a panel of industry professionals. Mo Du and Prasanth Pahirathan from Accounting and Financial Management and Anqi Wang from Computing and Financial Management won the first place prize of $750.00.

Meanwhile, back in August, Jonathan Lau (BAFM ’12) was the first Canadian student to win the Academy of Legal Studies in Business (ALSB) student paper competition held in New Orleans. Lau wowed peers, competitors and law professors alike at the ALSB 2011 National Conference, which was organized by Yale University.

Lau's paper identified and made recommendations on ways Ontario should reform its insider trading regulations, including statutory and enforcement comparisons of insider trading laws and regulations in Ontario, the US and the UK.

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March Break Open House next week

High school students who have applied for admission to the University of Waterloo can find out about campus life when Waterloo holds its annual March Break Open House next week. For the first time, the open house will be held over two days to better accommodate the thousands of visitors who attend each year.

Each day will focus on specific areas of the university, although information about all programs will be available each day. Sessions and tours will be available between 9:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m.

Applicants to Engineering, Environment, and Mathematics will be on campus Tuesday, March 13, and applicants to Applied Health Sciences, Arts, and Science will be on campus Wednesday, March 14.

"By hosting the open house over two days, we are providing applicants and their parents the opportunity to participate in activities that will help them learn about the University of Waterloo," says Kim McKee, manager of the visitors centre. "We also hope that this day will increase the number of applicants who accept their offers of admission from Waterloo after they gain a more detailed understanding of life at Waterloo."

Throughout the two days, visitors can tour Waterloo's campus, university colleges, and residences. Students and their parents can also attend information sessions relating to co-operative education, residence life, and financing an education. Information booths focused on academics, housing services, and athletics will be set up in the Student Life Centre.

For a more detailed perspective on academic opportunities available at Waterloo, students are encouraged to attend academic presentations focused on individual faculties and programs.

An open house will also be held on Tuesday, March 13 at the School of Architecture in Cambridge.

More information about the March Break Open House is available online.

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Pharmacy organizes health fair; other notes

Community Health Fair poster.This week is Pharmacy Awareness Week, and the University of Waterloo School of Pharmacy chapter of the Canadian Association of Pharmacy Students and Interns (CAPSI) have put together a week of exciting events aimed at educating the public and enhancing student awareness. The latest event is a community health and wellness fair that will be taking place at the School of Pharmacy today at 5:00 p.m.

Pharmacy students and representatives from several community health services organizations will be on hand at the fair to share tips on healthy living.

Pharmacy Awareness Week will conclude Friday, March 9, with a high school outreach event promoting careers in the pharmacy profession.

Feridun Hamdullahpur is joining the presidents of the "U15" universities in Berlin this week as they meet with colleagues at German institutions, Peter Boehm, the Canadian ambassador in Germany, as well as the German minister for education and research, Dr. Annette Schavan. The U15, which includes Waterloo, is a group of leading Canadian research-intensive universities, formerly known as the G13, and is made up of institutions from coast to coast.

And here's the latest Nutrition Month tip from Health Services dietician Sandra Ace, who you can contact if you have any questions or comments:

"Myth": “Multi-grain” is the same as “whole grain.”
"Truth": Multi-grain products include different grains, but they may not be whole grains, which provide the greatest health benefits. To make sure a food is made with whole grains, look on the food label’s ingredient list for the words “whole grain” in front of each grain name. If whole grains are the main ingredients in a food, they should appear first in the ingredient list.

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Link of the day

Holi

When and where

Weight Watchers at Work registration session, Thursday, March 8, 12:00 p.m., PAS 2438.

Public lecture in celebration of 50 years of Philosophy at Waterloo, Thursday, March 8, 2:00 p.m., Siegfried Hall, St. Jerome's University.

Reading at St. Jerome’s University: poet Julia McCarthy, Thursday, March 8, 4:30, StJ room 3014.

WIN Distinguished Lecturer Professor Georges Hadziioannou presents "Scientific and Engineering Challenges and Opportunities in Printable and Flexible Organic Electronics," Thursday, March 8, 4:30 p.m., EIT 1015.

Resistance Culture: An evening of spoken word poetry and art with Remi Kanazi, Thursday, March 8, 7:30 p.m., MC 4020. Presented by Students for Palestinian Rights. Details.

Fusion Science and Business conference, March 9 and 10. Details.

Knowledge Integration seminar featuring IQC's Krister Shalm, “Explaining the Quantum World”, Friday March 9, 2:30 p.m., St. Paul’s University College, room 105. Details.

Philosophy Colloquium in celebration of 50 years of Philosophy at Waterloo, Friday, March 9, 3:30 p.m., HH 373.

The Global Pro-Justice Movement featuring activist Frank Barat, Friday, March 9, 6:30 p.m., CPH 3607. Presented by Students for Palestinian Rights. Details.

Drop, Penalty 1 Period ends March 12.

Waterloo Unlimited Grade 11 Design Program, Monday, March 12 to Friday, March 16.

KI-X 2012: Capstone Design Project on display at the University of Waterloo Art Gallery, Monday, March 12, 12:00-4:00, Tuesday, March 13, 12:00-7:00, Wednesday, March 14, 12:00-6:00, 263 Phillip Street. Details.

Vision 2015 Town Hall for engineering graduate students, Monday, March 12, 3:00 p.m., DC 1304.

Drop, Penalty 2 Period begins March 13.

Noon hour concert at Conrad Grebel featuring Brass Essentials, Debra and Martin Lacoste (trumpets), Trevor Wagler (french horn), Carolyn Culp (trombone), Susan Follows (bass trombone), Wednesday, March 14, 12:30 p.m.

Nanotechnology for Cancer chemo and immunotherapy seminar, Wednesday March 14, 2:00 p.m., School of Pharmacy.

Department of Spanish and Latin American Studies lecture series ‘Testimony and Human Rights’, featuring a presentation by Professor Marjorie Ratcliffe (University of Western Ontario), “Solos en Ameríca: Children of the Spanish Civil War”. Wednesday, March 14, 3:30 p.m., HH 373. Reception follows at 4:30 p.m.

Waterloo Institute for Hellenistic Studies presents Meagan Ayer, SUNY Buffalo, "Traces in Stone: Refugees in the Epigraphic Record," Wednesday, March 14, 4:30 p.m., ML 246.

Medieval Studies presents Sweet Pastries and Marital Bliss featuring Dr. Elizabeth Cohen, York University, "Despite the Council of Trent: Marriage Troubles in Rome, circa 1600," Wednesday, March 14, 4:30 p.m., St. Jerome's room 2011.

Center for Career Action workshop "Setting Work And Life Goals," Thursday, March 15, 3:30 p.m., TC 1208. Details.

Systems Design Symposium 2012, Friday, March 16, 10:00 a.m., Davis Centre foyer.

Knowledge Integration seminar, Luigi Ferrera, "Systems of Sharing: The Next Economy," Friday, March 16, 2:30 p.m. St. Paul's room 105.

Bechtel Lecture with Professor John D. Roth Thursday March 15 and Friday March 16, 7:30 p.m., Conrad Grebel Chapel. Details.

The UW Cabaret Club presents La Vie Du Cabaret, Friday, March 16, 9:00 p.m., Federation Hall.

Engineering Shadow Days, Monday, March 19 to Friday, March 30.

Vision 2015 Town Hall for engineering faculty, Tuesday, March 20, 2:30 p.m., EIT 3142.

Waterloo Research Institute in Insurance, Securities and Quantitative Finance (WatRISQ) presents Tong Yu, associate professor of finance, College of Business Administration, "By Force of Habitat? On the Dynamics of Insurers' Government Bond Portfolio Durations," Tuesday, March 20, 4:00 p.m., M3 3127.

Noon hour concert series, "Paraguay Primeval" featuring Rebecca Campbell (vocals), Carol Ann Weaver (piano), Katie Honek (flute), Ben Bolt-Martin (cello), Kyle Skillman (percussion), Wednesday, March 21, 12:30 p.m., Conrad Grebel chapel.

PhD oral defences

Mechanical and mechatronics engineering. Azad Qazi Zade, “Slip/Jump Effects in Catalytic Reacting Flows in Microchannels.” Supervisors, Metin Renksizbulut and Jacob Friedman. On display in the faculty of engineering, PHY 3004. Oral defence Monday, March 12, 1:30 p.m., Engineering 2 room 3324.

Electrical and computer engineering. Ali Razavi Nematollah, “Incremental Model Synchronization.” Supervisors, Kostas Kontogiannis and Ladan Tahvildari. On display in the faculty of engineering, PHY 3004. Oral defence Thursday, March 15, 10:30 a.m., Engineering 5 room 5106.

Systems design engineering. Maryam Ashoori, “Cognitive Work Analysis to Support Collaboration in Teamwork Environments.” Supervisor, Catherine Burns. On display in the faculty of engineering, PHY 3004. Oral defence Thursday, March 15, 1:00 p.m., Engineering 5 room 6002.

Electrical and computer engineering. Ali Zibaeenejad, “Key Agreement over Wiretap Models with Non-Causal Side Information.” Supervisor, Amir K. Khandani. On display in the faculty of engineering, PHY 3004. Oral defence Friday, March 16, 9:30 a.m., Engineering 5 room 5047.

English language and literature. Sheila Hannon, “Endorsement Editorials: Rhetorical Strategies of Compelling Arguments.” Supervisor, Neil Randall. On display in the faculty of arts, PAS 2434. Oral defence Monday, March 19, 9:00 a.m., PAS building room 2438.

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