The University of Waterloo’s Co-operative and Experiential Education (CEE) has recently partnered with Enserva’s Working Energy program to connect Waterloo students with opportunities in the energy sector. Enserva, a national association representing the Canadian energy industry, created the Working Energy platform as a talent pool for its members to post jobs, including co-op positions. This partnership allows CEE to leverage the platform to match students with relevant co-op and work-integrated learning (WIL) experiences in the energy sector.
Dr. Norah McRae, associate provost of CEE, expressed excitement about the partnership, highlighting the significant contributions Waterloo students can make to Canada’s energy sector. As an ambassador for Enserva’s Working Energy platform, the University of Waterloo offers a customized landing page for employers to explore the programs and courses related to the energy sector that Waterloo students undertake. Employers can engage with students through various opportunities, such as Employer Information Sessions, to connect and collaborate.
Gurpreet Lail, President and CEO of Enserva, commended Waterloo’s involvement as an ambassador, emphasizing the value that Waterloo students bring to the Canadian energy sector with their fresh perspectives and eagerness to learn and innovate. This partnership opens up avenues for co-op students, particularly those in the Faculties of Environment and Engineering, to make a sustainable impact in the energy industry by accessing job postings from Enserva’s members.
While currently limited to Canadian members, the Working Energy platform plans to expand to include U.S. members in the future, offering even more opportunities for Waterloo students to engage with the energy sector on a global scale.
In addition to this partnership, the University of Waterloo recently hosted the Wicked Problem of Precarity Symposium, showcasing the work of undergraduate students enrolled in the innovative Wicked Problem of Precarity course. The symposium focused on addressing the complex factors contributing to precarity in the modern world, with students presenting posters on various issues such as homelessness, urban flooding, and social prescribing. The event highlighted the interdisciplinary efforts of students to tackle challenging societal problems.
Furthermore, Waterloo researchers have been awarded over $4.3 million in funding from the Canadian Institutes for Health Research (CIHR) to support groundbreaking projects aimed at improving health and strengthening the healthcare system. Seven researchers from the University of Waterloo will receive funding for their work, with five receiving full funding for their projects and two receiving bridge funding to kickstart their initiatives. This funding will enable researchers to continue their vital work in addressing significant challenges facing society.
Overall, these partnerships and achievements demonstrate the University of Waterloo’s commitment to fostering innovation, collaboration, and impactful research and education initiatives that benefit both students and society as a whole.