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Ted Talks
Lisa Harouni: A primer on 3D printing
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Lisa Harouni is the co-founder and CEO of Digital Forming, a company that works on the software side of 3D printing -- the design tools needed to run the new generaion of 3D printing processes. |
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Trends
Manufacturing increased across the board for the second consecutive month
Leading indicators for December 2011
Statscan - The composite leading index increased 0.8% in December, following a 0.9% gain the previous month. The increase was broad-based with 8 of the 10 components rising.
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Appointment
 University of Waterloo names new dean of engineering
WATERLOO - The University of Waterloo named an award-winning professor and accomplished researcher as its new dean of engineering. Professor Pearl Sullivan is currently the chair of the Department of Mechanical and Mechatronics Engineering at Waterloo. She joined the university as a professor of mechanical engineering in 2004. “The exemplary reputation of Waterloo Engineering fueled a lot of international interest in this position,” said Feridun Hamdullahpur, president of the University of Waterloo. “We were thrilled that, in the end, one of our own professors was the best person for the job. Faculty and students both here and elsewhere have the greatest respect for Pearl Sullivan -- a striking example of the top-quality educators and leaders we have in our own community.”
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Economy
Retail trade for November 2011
Sales at sporting goods, hobby, book and music stores (+2.9%) rose for a fourth consecutive month
Statscan - Retail sales in November rose for a fourth consecutive month, increasing 0.3% to $38.7 billion. Gains were reported in 7 of 11 subsectors, representing 65% of total retail sales.
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Sustainable Government
With Most Governments Now Locked Into Unsustainable Operating Models, a New Report Advises How to Get Better Services for Less
The billion dollar question: How to break the price and performance tradeoff
TORONTO - Canada's $25.7 billion in provincial deficits nearly matches its $29.6 billion federal deficit, for a total national deficit of $55 billion. In order to achieve cost savings and reduce deficits while maintaining or improving service quality, governments need to adopt a radically different approach to public services, according to a new report Public sector, disrupted: How disruptive innovation can help government achieve more for less.
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Appointment
University of Waterloo names new vice-president academic & provost
WATERLOO - The University of Waterloo named a noted statistician and senior administrator as its next vice-president academic & provost.
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Entrepreneurship
Laurier Entrepreneurship Competition helps students turn business ideas into reality
Waterloo - Are you a Laurier student entrepreneur with a great business idea and the passion to pursue it? Laurier’s Schlegel Centre for Entrepreneurship is now accepting applications for the Laurier Entrepreneurship Competition.
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Assitive Technologies
First study using human embryonic stem cells for macular degeneration shows they are safe and lead to some vision improvement
The Lancet reports the use of human embryonic stem cells (hESC) to treat macular degeneration in human beings. It is the first report of the use of such cells in humans for any purpose. The study involved one elderly patient and one young patient with different forms of macular degeneration that had led to severe vision loss.
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Aerospace
Top industrial researcher joins University of Toronto Institute for Aerospace Studies to support research on reducing environmental impact of aviation
TORONTO – Dr. Sam Sampath, who has more than 35 years of experience conducting research and development toward reducing the environmental impact of aviation, has joined the University of Toronto Institute for Aerospace Studies (UTIAS).
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Aid program
International Queen's project receives $1.3 million CIDA funding
Kingston - A Queen’s project aimed at strengthening maternal and child health and disability programs in Bangladesh has been awarded $1.3 million from the Government of Canada through the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA). The project will be implemented by the International Centre for the Advancement of Community Based Rehabilitation (ICACBR).
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Manufacturing
Canadian Production of the All-New 2012 Honda CR-V Begins at Honda of Canada Mfg. in Alliston, ON
More than 70 per cent of Honda vehicles sold in Canada will now be built in Canada
ALLISTON - Production of the all-new 2012 Honda CR-V, Canada's top-selling import SUV, officially began yesterday at Honda of Canada Mfg. (HCM) in Alliston, ON. With the addition of CR-V to the Ontario facility, Honda Canada's two best-selling vehicles, the Honda Civic and CR-V, are now being made in Canada by Canadians.
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Expansion
OpenText Brings Business Process Solutions to Windows Azure
OpenText and Microsoft Expand Global Alliance to Widen Support for Cloud Computing Initiatives Including Hybrid Offerings and BPM
Waterloo – OpenText announced the expansion of its global alliance agreement with Microsoft Corp. to include wider support for Microsoft cloud computing initiatives. As part of the agreeme nt, OpenText ’ s newly formed Business Process Solutions (BPS) Group will be delivering a set of process management and case management solutions on the Windows Azure cloud computing platform.
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Assitive Technologies
Commonly used drug for enlarged prostate slows growth of early-stage prostate cancer
New York - Dutasteride, a drug that is commonly used to treat enlargement of the prostate, might also slow the growth of early-stage prostate cancer and reduce the need for potentially debilitating treatments that carry risks of impotence and incontinence, according to an Article published Online First in The Lancet.
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Trends
Three Green Building Trends to Watch for in 2012
Kitchener - With the start of a new year, it's a perfect time to take a look at emerging industry trends and how to stay ahead of the curve when it comes to green buildings and communities. We asked three of Enermodal's experts from across the country to predict an area that will be increasingly important in 2012:
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Job Growth
Waterloo Region Tech Sector Ecosystem Continues to Thrive With 450 Startup Jobs Created, 300 Companies Founded During 2011
Waterloo Region – Tech sector momentum continues to grow in Waterloo Region, as Communitech reports that 450 startup jobs and 300 new companies emerged in the Region during 2011, along with continued hiring in established companies. Companies working with the Communitech startups team raised over $70 million in funding from venture capitalists, angel investors and government incentive programs to spur on innovation during 2011.
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Guest Column
Social Media – a Marketing Tool to be Taken Seriously
Expert Shares Tips to Gauge Whether Your Business is Taking the Wrong Approach
By Marsha Freidman
I remember when the Internet first gained prominence and it became apparent that having a website was essential for any commercial enterprise.
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Appointment
University of Waterloo names new secretary of the university
WATERLOO - The University of Waterloo has appointed respected university administrator Logan Atkinson as the new secretary of the university. The appointment is effective July 1, 2012.
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PSA Forum
From Prison to a Place Called Home
Housing Forum for Federally Sentenced Women
Waterloo Region – The Waterloo Region Crime Prevention Council (WRCPC) presents the 3 rd Annual Forum for Federally Sentenced Women on Wednesday, January 25, 2012 at Bingemans in Kitchener. From Prison to a Place Called Home , a full-day forum, will address housing needs and options for women leaving prison .
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Guest Column
Acting Ethically is the Only Option
by Kyle Scott, Ph.D.
When the choice is to feed your family or break the rules, your decision isn’t tough. Who could blame Jean Valjean in Les Miserables for his choice to feed his family? We even applaud Robin Hood for stealing. But when you are the boss and you have to decide whether to fire employees or fudge numbers so you can keep them on board, the decision might be more difficult.
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Leadership
Young Global Leaders Use Mobile Telephony to Tackle Poverty
Young Global Leaders to pilot an initiative giving 1 billion mobile phone users living in poverty access to educational phone apps
Davos, Switzerland – A group of Young Global Leaders will pilot a non-profit initiative this spring, which aims to give the 1 billion mobile phone users living in poverty access to educational phone apps.
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