The University of Windsor has once again advanced in a global ranking, jumping more than 250 places to secure a spot among the world’s top 400 sustainable institutions.

In its annual sustainability assessment released Monday, the QS World University Rankings positioned the University of Windsor at 382 out of 1,403 institutions globally. This significant jump from last year’s 641-650 ranking reflects the University’s commitment to environmental responsibility, said president Rob Gordon.

“We are dedicated to integrating sustainability into our teaching, research, and operations, creating a University environment where it’s not just a concept or goal but a way of life,” Dr. Gordon said.

The QS World University Rankings: Sustainability, compiled by higher education analytics firm Quacquarelli Symonds, highlights how universities are tackling the world’s greatest environmental, social, and governance issues.

Environmental sustainability is a key focus and a priority in the University of Windsor’s new strategic plan, Aspire.

Recent initiatives include installing a hybrid chiller — a first of its kind at a Canadian university — and electrical vehicle charging stations. The University also introduced a zero-waste landfill pilot project and will soon release its carbon neutral plan, which aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 45 per cent in seven years and achieve net zero by 2050.

“We all must do our part to reduce our environmental footprint,” Gordon said. “The University of Windsor is taking bold steps to cultivate a more sustainable campus, now and for future generations.”

This marks the third time in recent months that the University of Windsor has achieved its highest-ever placement in an international university ranking.

In September, Windsor advanced nearly 100 spots to place among the top third of universities globally in the World University Rankings by the Times Higher Education.

In July, it was listed among the top 44 percent of universities in the overall QS World University Rankings, where it also moved up 100 positions.

2023 is proving another fruitful year for new faculty members joining the Faculty of Science.

In addition to the four faculty members who joined in January 2023, and three in 2022, 11 more joined the science family this summer.

Today’s article introduces a range of researchers, starting with the Department of Mathematics and Statistics, assistant professor Edward Timko. Dr. Timko brings expertise in mathematical analysis with a specialization in operator theory. His research focuses on topics in multivariate operator theory and constrained families of operators.

The School of the Environment welcomes assistant professor Ali Saber. Dr. Saber’s research bridges science and engineering disciplines to evaluate the response of water resources to climate change and the release of anthropogenic contaminants, aiming to protect public health and increase the resilience of human communities against natural extreme events.

In the Department of Physics, assistant professor Caio Licciardi focuses his research on the fundamental properties and reasons why the universe exists and what it is. His team looks for new phenomena in nuclear and astroparticle physics by developing new and improved ways of detection using cutting-edge technology. More specifically, investigating neutrinos and the outstanding question of whether they are their own anti-particles, the so-called Majorana particles.

Muhammad Asaduzzaman, a new assistant professor in the School of Computer Science, brings research expertise in software engineering focuses on improving software systems by leveraging the large volume of information stored in software repositories. Dr. Asaduzzaman’s research is a blend of empirical theories and their associated tools to support software development tasks and to increase the productivity of developers.

Anna Kozarova joins the Department of Biomedical Sciences as an AAS Learning Specialist and program coordinator for the recently launched Honours Bachelor stream in Interdisciplinary Health Sciences, which connects undergraduate students from the Faculty of Science and the Faculty of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences and is based in three different departments – biomedical sciences, integrative biology, and psychology.

IHS students will explore challenges and grow as thought leaders who can tackle issues in many different health related areas, including, but not limited to, health care economics, Indigenous health, the global environment and climate change, and sustainable development.

The Department of Integrative Biology welcomes AAS Clint Jacobs. Jacobs is Anishinaabe from Bkejwanong; an Indigenous Knowledge Connector, his expertise is grounded in Indigenous-centered relationships.

In addition to building strategic relationships with Indigenous communities and weaving Indigenous ways of knowing through our course offerings, Jacobs will build and develop new and innovative initiatives to further Indigenous-focused knowledge co-production and lifelong learning across the Faculty of Science.

His work will support the creation of an Indigenized space for Indigenous students, community members and allies to engage, learn and create as well as foster partnerships in support of sustained and purposeful knowledge exchange and the eventual creation of an Indigenous research council. He will also lead courses related to Indigenous Natural Science and ecology.

“We are excited to welcome our new faculty who bring new research programs and teaching expertise,” says interim dean Dora Cavallo-Medved. “With our new faculty, we have also been able to expand our undergraduate and graduate programs while diversifying opportunities for our students to be engaged in the classroom, the lab and field.”

MBA students in the Professional Accounting Specialization program at the Odette School of Business received some welcome news Friday; they had passed the Common Final Examination (CFE).

The CFE is a challenging 15-hour national licencing exam that all accounting students must successfully complete to qualify for the Chartered Professional Accountant designation. Odette students achieved a pass rate of 86 per cent, a significant improvement over the Canadian average of 73.5 per cent over the last three years.

Program director Peter Savoni calls it an impressive accomplishment for these hard-working students.

“All of us at Odette are extremely proud of our 2023 MBA-PAS graduates,” he says. “This was a collective effort by accounting faculty, MBA-PAS alumni, and the leadership team at Odette to ensure these students were well prepared to write the CFE.”

Veronica Mijatovic, a successful 2023 CFE writer and MBA-PAS graduate, speaks highly of her experience in the program.

“The collaborative and participatory nature of the coursework, coaching style of instructors, small cohort size, and accessibility of the professors and director of our program all culminated to create a graduate experience that was personally enriching,” she says. “And most importantly, led to passing the CFE with an MBA in tow!”

—Sienna Ducharme

Effective immediately, the University has increased the limit on any Purchasing Card (PCard) single transaction from $2,825 to $5,650 (including HST).

The primary reason for increasing this threshold is inflationary pressures; also factors are an expected cost and resourcing efficiency, and ensuring that UWindsor is aligned with peer institutions.

The single transaction limits for all active PCards have been updated to reflect this change.

Direct any questions to pcard@uwindsor.ca.

Students looking to learn how to manage their money better can improve their knowledge through the Enriched Academy financial wellness program, sponsored by the University of Windsor and the office of Student Awards and Financial Aid.

Students who complete the program through a series of fun and insightful videos can apply to be considered for one of five $1,000 awards available for the current academic year. Upon completion of all Enriched Academy modules, students will receive a certificate of completion to be uploaded via the UWinAward Profile/Application process.

Start now — the deadline to complete the modules and to apply for this award is Feb. 15, 2024.

Additionally, students who complete the program can also apply for scholarships available directly through Enriched Academy — the deadline is June 14, 2024.

Have you made some New Year’s resolutions but don’t know where to start? Looking to shed some holiday pounds but want to know how to get it done without spending hours in the gym? Heading down south and you don’t want to look like … well … everything headed down south?

Spend some time with the personal training team at Lancer Recreation.

“We specialize in customized workout programs that include nutritional tips geared towards your personal goals,” says fitness co-ordinator Mike McMahon.

Until the end of the month, personal training packages are on sale as a gentle nudge to help you get started. Click here to save 10 per cent off any training package when you get started in January and as always, personal training packages come with full memberships to the Toldo Lancer Centre.