The University of Windsor Pride Committee (UWinPride) invites the campus and Windsor-Essex communities to join in a flag-raising ceremony celebrating the start of Pride Month on Monday, June 3, at 12:30 p.m. on the north side of Alumni Field. Organizers promise freezies and giveaways in addition to two speeches.

“Pride offers an opportunity for 2SLGBTQIA+ community members and allies to gather in the safety of community, in celebration of how far we have come, remembrance of all those who have fought to get us here, and to also address the ways in which our current society continues to fail us,” says UWinPride co-chair Ashlyne O’Neil.

The ceremony will begin promptly at 12:30 p.m. Find more details, including a map to the site, on the UWinPride website.

In the open-to-all course “AI in Action: Intro to Prompt Engineering,” Continuing Education introduces learners to ethical considerations in generative artificial intelligence, prompt creation skills, and how to work with generated texts. It features the Prompt and Verify Tool, along with other useful tools designed to enhance productivity.

Instructor Dave Cormier says: “Like search, spreadsheets and spellcheckers, Generative AI is going to be a part of our everyday work lives, we need to understand how to use it ethically and effectively.”

During the two-hour course, participants will learn techniques for developing concise GenAI prompts, setting goals, role-playing, applying constraints, framing context, and iterating for optimal results. The course also covers applying ethical considerations and verification methods to ensure the accuracy and reliability of AI-generated content. Additionally, it addresses common pitfalls to help participants avoid challenges and maximize the technology’s potential.

The course fee is $59 + HST and takes place on Thursday, June 13, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. UWindsor staff, students, alumni, and Hire UWindsor partners are eligible for a discount.

Interested individuals can learn more and register on the Continuing Education website.

Rahul Banerjee (MSc 2022) became so entrenched in UWindsor’s campus community during his time as a Master of Applied Computing student that he could not wait to return.

In late 2023, Banerjee took on the role of research security co-ordinator on the research partnerships team embedded in the Office of the Vice President, Research and Innovation.

“Research security is a new domain that falls under national security, which is guided by federal and provincial policies,” says Banerjee.

“We work hand-in-hand with government agencies to create best practices for university researchers and then we support them to ensure their research is safe and secure.”

The first to hold that title, Banerjee hosts workshops and training sessions to teach faculty protocols and guidelines as well as arm them with the required tools and resources.

“Research security is about safeguarding our University research community from bad actors who hope to gain economically or militarily from work being done in Canadian labs, and the first step is awareness,” he says.

He says the field is so new that they are constantly assessing, prioritizing, and adapting to new practices and models. He loves his new role and says it was Because of Science at UWindsor that he was prepared for such a challenging position.

“MAC helped me gain a lot of these connections through networking opportunities, and these connections have helped me get where I am right now,” says Banerjee. “I’ve met people who are leading the community and many of them referred me to this role.”

As a message to current students, Banerjee says to nurture those contacts you make and focus on creating long-standing relationships.

“MAC gives you that opportunity to prosper and it is up to you to make the best out of it,” he says.

Those networking skills and opportunities helped him to become a key member on the local scene.

He was invited to be on the Google Developers panel for Windsor and Detroit region and is a member of the Windsor-Tecumseh Youth Advisory Council.

As a graduate student, he was on the student council and held two part-time campus jobs. After graduation, he turned a co-op position with BDO Canada as a data and innovation consultant into full-time employment.

His pride as an alumnus shines through and he has returned to three orientation sessions for the MAC program to talk to current students.

“I’ve become an online cheerleader for UWindsor and the region,” Banerjee says. “I want to promote Windsor as an up-and-coming hub of technology. We are already seeing it happen.”

Hosting an office of the Automotive Parts Manufacturers’ Association on campus highlights the University of Windsor’s tangible commitment to fostering bold and impactful research and innovation, says Shanthi Johnson, vice-president, research and innovation.

The association is opening a permanent office in Windsor for the first time in its 72-year history, locating it in the Ed Lumley Centre for Engineering Innovation (CEI).

“The University of Windsor is thrilled to welcome the APMA to our campus and looks forward to collaboratively expanding the scope of research and discovery efforts in the automobility sector,” Dr. Johnson said.

Locating the office in the CEI recognizes its position of influence in the sector. A hub for industry collaboration, research and development, and a proven training ground for the next generation of leaders, the location will enhance the APMA’s access to Windsor-area resources, advocacy, and networking opportunities.

Founded in 1952, the APMA is Canada’s national association representing original equipment manufacturer (OEM) producers of parts, equipment, tools, supplies, advanced technology, and services for the worldwide automotive industry. Its membership accounts for 90 per cent of independent part production in Canada.

After 10 years of solid growth and with membership at 25-year highs, the expansion reflects the APMA’s growing impact in Canadian advocacy. Opening an office in Canada’s automaking capital is a renewal of the commitment to effectively represent automotive suppliers and nurture growth and innovation in Canada’s biggest advanced manufacturing sector.

The Windsor office will be staffed initially by two recruits known to the sector who bring a wealth of knowledge to the team. Mike Bilton, vice-president of supplier programs, will be joined by senior director Karen Speers. Both have spent their careers in the Windsor supplier sector and have been advising the APMA for years in critical sectoral disciplines.

“We are fortunate to have secured commitments from Mike and Karen to launch the first Windsor office in the history of the APMA,” said association president Flavio Volpe. “They will be key in carrying Windsor’s perspective to Toronto and Ottawa and to automotive capitals around the world.”

Following the Windsor Symphony Orchestra and Chorus’s poignant performances of Brahms’ German Requiem in March, the chorus led by UWindsor professor Bruce J.G. Kotowich is putting the finishing polish on its final stand-alone concert of this season accompanied by collaborative pianist Michael Oddy.

Entitled “Glimmers,” the concert is Friday, May 31, at 7:30 p.m. at the Capitol Theatre and promises choral works celebrating life, giving praise, and offering a raucous good time.

“The pieces selected for our spring concert invoke peace, joy, happiness, and a sense of well-being,” says chorus member Pamela Cole. “In my world when music influences me, I call it a glimmer — the exact opposite of a trigger. Glimmers connect us directly with source energy.”

Admission to for Friday’s concert is $20, with a student rate of $10. Find program details and buy tickets on the event website.

In addition to being led by Dr. Kotowich, the 50+ voice chorus has many ties to the University of Windsor. Among its members are professors Antonio Rossini and Jeremy Worth, staffers Kristen Siapas and Susan McKee, many alumni, and a few current students.

“We have been approached by composers to perform their new works, and the Symphony Chorus is reviewing invitations to travel to perform at summer choral festivals nationally and internationally,” Kotowich says. “Robert Franz and I are also planning repertoire for the up-coming seasons. This is an exciting period of growth for us, and we continue to welcome new members.”

The key feature of the Applied Leadership Program offered through Continuing Education is its partnership with industry that provides learners with real-world scenarios for applying course concepts.

Bringing on Stellantis as the project partner for 2023 enabled Continuing Education to leverage the automaker’s established presence in the region to boost both interest and registration in the course, says marketing co-ordinator Siu Le.

“We used all communication platforms to ensure maximum coverage, utilizing all owned media, leaning into the brand recognition of Stellantis and the University of Windsor,” she says.

“We attracted learners within the target market, including engineers, technicians, analysts, supervisors, managers, HR directors, administrators, and post-graduate students from various areas such as IT, healthcare, media, business development, manufacturing, automotive, marketing, sales, education, and insurance.”

That success was recognized last week by the Canadian Association for University Continuing Education, which conferred on the project an award for marketing with no budget. The award honours effective use of media — social, digital, print, and news — to reach audiences.

“This recognition demonstrates the value of strategic application of resources to reach our goals,” says Jennie Atkins, executive director of Continuing Education. “Siu’s campaign was cost-effective and exceeded our objectives.”

With its business model of bringing esthetic services — manicures and pedicures, facials, massages — to clients’ doorsteps, Purple Vixen Beauty mobile spa won over judges at the VentureWomen Final Pitch Competition, May 6 in the Entrepreneurship Practice and Innovation Centre (EPICentre).

Six female founders took the stage to present their innovative start-ups after completing the four-month accelerator program to build skills and networks.

Their hard work and dedication are inspiring, said EPICentre director Wen Teoh.

“We are proud to support women changemakers and contribute to their growth and success,” she said. “We invite everyone to continue supporting and nurturing the incredible talent and innovation that female-identifying entrepreneurs bring to our communities.”

Learn more about the pitch competition on the VentureWomen website.

The University has declared an Epson smartboard for sale by bid as Disposal File 2069.

The unit, a BrightLink Pro 1430Wi, integrates a whiteboard, projector, and interactive display and easily connects to video conferencing equipment.

Click here for photos and details on submitting bids.