Manoj Mate, Ning ZhangThe Canadian government appointed law professor Manoj Mate and engineering professor Ning Zhang to Canada Research Chairs.

Two UWindsor profs among newest Canada Research Chairs

Two University of Windsor professors are the newest members of a corps of elite scholars working to make Canada a world leader in research and development.

Law professor Manoj Mate and engineering professor Ning Zhang have been awarded Tier 2 Canada Research Chairs in their respective fields. Dr. Mate holds the Canada Research Chair in International Trade Law and Dr. Zhang will hold the Canada Research Chair in Edge Computing and the Internet of Vehicles. Each position comes with $120,000 in annual funding for five years, renewable for an additional five years.

“I am absolutely delighted that these two outstanding earlier-stage researchers have been awarded Canada Research Chairs,” said K.W. Michael Siu, UWindsor’s vice-president, research and innovation.

“Both are recognized leaders in their respective fields, and I am confident that they will contribute significantly to knowledge on international trade law, as well as edge computing and the Internet of Vehicles.”

The Government of Canada Wednesday announced $151 million in funding for 188 new and renewed Canada Research Chairs at 43 institutions across the country. The program, launched in 2000, is a national strategy to attract and retain a diverse cadre of world-class researchers in engineering, the natural sciences, health sciences, humanities, and the social sciences.

“The Canada Research Chairs announced this week comprise the full diversity of Canada, both in terms of their backgrounds and training, as well as the board range of disciplines they represent,” said Ted Hewitt, president of the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada and chair of the CRC program steering committee.

“This, in turn, helps to drive the research excellence we have come to expect from these outstanding scholars, as well as their contributions to the well-being and prosperity of Canadians.”

Zhang is researching mobile edge computing, in which roadside servers cache data contents and execute different computational tasks for vehicles. This can reduce latency in content delivery and data processing. He and his research team are also developing intelligent systems for caching and delivering content, scheduling computational tasks, and managing AI-aided resources to ensure vehicles can access the data needed to complete computational tasks in real time.

It’s all part of the Internet of Vehicles, a wireless network used to exchange information between vehicles, infrastructure, and pedestrians using smart devices and sensors inside and outside of vehicles. The Internet of Vehicles can improve road safety and efficiency by providing information to support decision-making, but to work properly, it depends on timely data acquisition and processing — exactly what Zhang is investigating.

Mate’s expertise sees him leading two cross-national studies in Asia and North America to examine how private actors affect the way international trade law is implemented at the domestic level.

One study examines the role private businesses play in how international trade and development norms are implemented in World Trade Organization dispute resolution processes in India and China in the solar, textiles, and agriculture sectors.

In the second, he is looking at the role industry stakeholders and lawyers play in implementing the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement’s provisions on automotive rules of origin in Canada and the U.S.

Roseann O’Reilly Runte, president and CEO of the Canada Foundation for Innovation, said she is proud her agency financially supports the Canada Research Chairs Program.

“This funding enables universities to retain and attract top researchers to Canada and allows all Canadians to benefit from their important discoveries.”

Look for profiles of the University of Windsor’s newest Canada Research Chairs in upcoming editions of DailyNews.

—Sarah Sacheli

Christine VanderkooyEducation professor Christine Vanderkooy is a featured pianist in the digital concert series being launched today by the Windsor Symphony Orchestra.

Pianist excited by innovative symphony concerts

The Windsor Symphony Orchestra will launch a digital concert series today that celebrates cuisine and history alongside the music, and education professor Christine Vanderkooy is excited to be part of it.

A pianist, she will perform in two of the seven entries in “The Music. The Story. The Food.” The videos will include stories about the composers and set a cultural scene with discussion of foods drawn from their times and places, led by history professor Rob Nelson. Subscribers will receive recipes paired with each episode, and may connect with a local restaurant or bakery for prepared versions of the dishes.

“It’s a vivid display of artistry and creativity that models how the pandemic has inspired some to respond with creativity, adroitness, and reinvention,” says Dr. Vanderkooy. “We are especially fortunate to have such an innovative orchestra here in Windsor led by the intrepid and indefatigable Maestro Robert Franz.”

In Episode 5, she will play Samuel Coleridge-Taylor’s Nonet, op. 2 for piano, strings, clarinet, oboe, horn, and bassoon — a work that was new to her.

“I’m confident the audience will love it for its sweeping melodies and romantic elegance,” Vanderkooy says. “It’s a thrilling ride and a piece that deserves to be heard a lot more often.”

And she will perform J.S. Bach’s Concerto No. 5 in F minor for Piano and String Orchestra as a featured soloist in Episode 7.

“It is one of my favourite keyboard works by Bach, perfectly constructed with a refined game between the keyboard and orchestra, and a recognizable second movement that is guaranteed to melt your heart,” she says.

“Having the opportunity to perform this beloved work with outstanding musicians of the Windsor Symphony is a mountaintop experience, to be sure. I can’t wait to share it with the Windsor community and beyond.”

Find details, including full programs and ticket info, on the WSO website.

hand holding megaphoneA survey of all UWindsor students is at the core of a campus-wide consultation on student experiences.

Survey invites students to make their voices heard for change — and a chance to win $500

A campus-wide consultation and fact-finding process on student experiences at the University of Windsor includes a survey for all registered students.

Their input will help guide

  • decision-making and resource allocation around student supports and services on campus;
  • restructuring of the Office of Student Experience; and
  • change to the process of addressing non-academic student misconduct.

The survey is open until Jan. 31 and is administered by a third-party consulting firm, which will hold all responses confidential.

Respondents will be redirected to a separate survey to enter the draw for a chance to win one of 17 prizes of $200 or one grand prize of $500. Contact information will be stored in a separate database and cannot be connected to survey responses.

Find answers to frequently asked questions here.

Students will receive an e-mail and all the details from their own student union and may access the survey here.

SpeakHer logoThe SpeakHer series aims to strengthen ties between Canada and the United States to form a close-knit entrepreneurial network for women.

Speaker series to introduce students to women entrepreneurs

A bi-national partnership between the Entrepreneur Practice and Innovation Centre (EPICentre) and the U.S. Consulate General in Toronto aims to introduce UWindsor students to American entrepreneurs.

The SpeakHer series aims to inspire and empower students to discover endless opportunities within the realm of entrepreneurship as well as strengthen the ties between Canada and the United States to form a close-knit entrepreneurial network for women.

The series will run eight sessions over the winter and fall of 2022. Attendance is free and will provide a platform to learn, engage, and network.

EPICentre director Wen Teoh welcomes the opportunity to make a cross-border connection.

“Through this partnership, we’re thrilled to not only help provide entrepreneurial guidance but also mentorship from inspiring professionals across various industries,” she says. “We’re also looking forward to strengthening the ties between bi-national entrepreneurs and providing changemakers with the connections they need to further succeed in their journey.”

After a difficult period, this series will provide a new perspective into what avenues are available to students when considering a future in entrepreneurship, says U.S. consul general Susan Crystal.

“We strongly believe that to Build Back Better, we must support women entrepreneurs,” Crystal says. “We hope that the U.S.- Canada virtual speakers and networking sessions will encourage young Canadian women to pursue entrepreneurship while engaging entrepreneurship centres on both sides of the Windsor-Detroit border.”

Find more information on the SpeakHer series website.

globe wrapped with world flagsMembers of the campus community are invited to share their cultures during the Celebration of Nations.

Online celebration to showcase campus cultures

The 2022 Celebration of Nations will be presented online, highlighting the rich cultural diversity of the campus community. Content will be distributed across social media during the week of March 14 to 18.

The event gives students, faculty, and staff the opportunity to learn about other cultures and to celebrate their own heritage through performances, demonstrations, and displays of food, dance, dress, and music.

Organizers note that participants are key to the success of the event and invite those interested to register with a video or written submission by Feb. 18. Find additional details on the registration form.

Put in a word for an excellent educator

The University of Windsor Alumni Association is seeking nominations for the Alumni Award for Distinguished Contributions to University Teaching, which honours and recognizes campus educators to provide incentive and encouragement for achieving excellence in this field.

Full-time members of the teaching faculty with a minimum of five consecutive years teaching at the University of Windsor are eligible to be nominated. Intent to nominate forms are due by Feb. 28, with a March 28 deadline for supporting materials.

Click here for the award criteria and nomination forms.

For more information or assistance, contact Katherine Simon in Alumni Relations at kasimon@uwindsor.ca or phone 519-971-3618, ext. 4052.

Rocket LeagueRocket League head coach Yusuf Naebkhil predicts an exciting season of play for Lancer Gaming.

Esports team announces Rocket League squad

Head coach Yusuf Naebkhil predicts an exciting season of play in Rocket League for Lancer Gaming.

“With the addition of a new player as well as those players who will be returning, I can’t wait to see how this season will turn out for them,” he says.

Described as soccer played by rocket-powered cars, Rocket League pits teams of up to eight players in virtual competition.

Naebkhil announced the team roster Thursday:

  • Luka Zehnoh Velimirovic;
  • Daniom Inquinal Hailemariam;
  • Connor Chilly Dolan; and
  • substitutes Brady Nin10dough Malott and Caden TheNamesL Quiring.

Lancer Gaming is a member of Ontario Post-Secondary Esports and the National Association of Collegiate Esports and plans to explore other venues for play. Learn more on its website.