Eight teacher candidates from the University of Windsor flew to China this Spring to take part in a 12-week education, research and cultural exchange.  

The UWindsor 2025 Teacher Education Reciprocal Learning Program (RLP)/Mitacs Cohort began their international intercultural internship on April 8, under the guidance of PhD candidate Yuhan Deng with Prof. Dr. Shijing Xu, acting as home supervisor in the Faculty of Education. 

The program’s commitment to inclusion brings together students from diverse backgrounds and creates space for both local and international voices.   

During the three-month international teaching and learning experience, the cohort of Canadian pre-service teachers engage in classroom observations, collaborative teaching, and cross-cultural learning at local Grade 1-12 schools in Beijing. They will spend the second half of their internship in Chongqing with the Southwest University (SWU).  

Teacher candidate Carson Cornelisse says her experience is allowing her to understand more areas of education and the world, fueling her passion for a profession she already loved. 

“The opportunity to work and observe in China has been one I will never forget. Being someone who is always looking to learn new things from others in Canada, coming here and meeting open and like-minded people has been such a warm and genuinely happy experience,” says Cornelisse. “Every day I wake up and hope to learn something new, from teaching strategies to cultural experiences like calligraphy or martial arts, every moment is never dull.” 

The RLP emphasizes reciprocal learning, mutual appreciation, cultural immersion, and pedagogical exchange, offering participants the opportunity to learn from Chinese educators while sharing Canadian teaching perspectives. The program was developed in 2010 between UWindsor, SWU, and in partnership with the Greater-Essex County District School Board. 

Each Fall, 20 students and a guide professor from SWU, China, come to UWindsor to observe classes in local Windsor schools and to audit courses in the pre-service program at the Faculty of Education.  

Teacher candidates from UWindsor make the reciprocal learning trip to China in the Spring. The 15-year program has seen 10 rounds of pre-service student onsite exchange between the two universities with a couple of online communications due to the pandemic.  

This opportunity is possible thanks to the University of Windsor, the Vice-President of Research and Innovation (VPRI), home supervisor Xu, Beijing Foreign Studies University (BFSU), and MITACS Globalink Research Internship. 

University of Windsor engineering faculty were honoured for their dedication to teaching, mentorship and professional integrity at this year’s annual Engineering Society Gala.

Three instructors received Faculty Outstanding Service Awards, a recognition voted on by undergraduate engineering students.

These honours continue a longstanding tradition by the Engineering Students’ Society to celebrate faculty who leave a lasting impact on their students and the broader academic community.

Ahmed Hamdi Sakr received the Distinguished Educator Award, recognizing his excellence in teaching, mentorship and student development. Students praised Dr. Sakr for challenging them in the classroom while equipping them with practical, real-world skills. His commitment to academic and professional growth has earned him admiration and respect across the faculty.

Randy Bowers was presented with the Lifetime Contribution Award, acknowledging his decades of service to engineering education. Known for his rigorous academic standards and tireless support for students, Dr. Bowers has influenced generations of engineers. Students noted his relentless pursuit of excellence and his ability to push them to reach their highest potential.

Edwin Tam received the Ring of Integrity, a distinction that celebrates ethical leadership and a strong moral compass — qualities symbolized by the Iron Ring tradition in Canadian engineering. Students recognized Dr. Tam for shaping not only their intellectual growth but also their ethical and professional values.

“As president of the Engineering Students’ Society, it’s an honour to celebrate three incredible educators who’ve gone above and beyond for us. Dr. Sakr’s passion sparks our curiosity, Dr. Bowers’ dedication reminds us what perseverance looks like, and Dr. Tam’s integrity sets the standard we all aspire to.

“Their guidance doesn’t just teach us textbook math and physics — it shows us how to be thoughtful, driven engineers and people, and for that, we owe them our deepest thanks,” said Malek Mekawi.

This celebration continues a cherished tradition by the Engineering Students’ Society, which has been recognizing outstanding faculty for nearly 30 years.

To support sustainability and reduce the volume of laboratory waste sent to landfills, the University of Windsor has launched a new initiative aimed at recycling uncontaminated personal protective equipment (PPE) from labs across campus.

Gloves, masks, gowns, and hairnets that are free of contaminants are collected and sent to a specialized facility, where the materials are repurposed into new plastic products. 

This process not only reduces reliance on virgin materials but also supports the development of a more circular, sustainable economy.

In its first year, 28 labs from nine academic departments participated in the program, diverting more than 700 kilograms of single-use PPE from landfill — a mass equal to that of seven full-size refrigerators.

This effort reflects the University’s broader commitment to sustainability by embedding circular economy principles into campus operations. Creating standardized systems for recycling and waste diversion is a critical step toward achieving zero-waste practices in academic environments.

Among the early champions of this effort is John F. Trant’s research group, which has been deeply engaged in glove recycling efforts coordinated by Tina Lepine at the Chemical Control Centre. 

Their work builds on ideas from the growing Green Labs initiative, which promotes sustainable practices in research spaces.

Simple actions—such as glove recycling and lowering fume hood sashes when not in use — can significantly reduce environmental impact while maintaining safe lab operations.

Graduate student Victoria Olga Kis credits a recent Green Labs workshop with deepening her understanding of how small behavioural shifts can create meaningful change.

“I didn’t realize how much our lab was contributing to the glove recycling program until I spoke with Tina,” Kis said. “The workshop opened my eyes to the broader practices being implemented at institutions across North America.”

The workshop, hosted by the Office of Sustainability and recommended by Lepine, emphasized how everyday choices—such as shutting off lab lights or closing fume hoods — can lower energy use and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

These insights have helped students see their role in shaping a more sustainable campus. 

“What felt like small actions have proven to be significant,” Kis added. “This is helping us move closer to a fully integrated Green Labs culture at the University of Windsor.”

This lab-based recycling program is part of a larger collaboration between the Office of Sustainability, the Chemical Control Centre, and research personnel across campus. It reflects a shared belief that thoughtful stewardship of resources must be part of how science is taught, practiced, and shared.

Through these partnerships and student-led actions, UWindsor continues to create inclusive, forward-looking research environments that prioritize environmental and community well-being.

To learn more about sustainable lab practices or to join the Green Labs initiative, contact the Office of Sustainability at sustainability@uwindsor.ca or the Chemical Control Centre at ccc@uwindsor.ca.

The Campus Bookstore is offering savings to students of neuroscience on Wednesday, May 21, as part of a series of discount days targeted to students in specific programs.

Hooded sweatshirts embroidered with “Neuroscience” are available for $55 — a savings on the regular price of $69.95. The sweatshirts are a 50-50 blend of cotton and polyester and boast a kangaroo pocket.

Neurosience majors can further claim a 10 per cent discount on any gift in-store Tuesday.

The program discounts continue:

• June 9, Social Work
• June 20, Computer Science

See the selection in the store, located on the lower level of the CAW Student Centre.

UWindsor alumni dominated the 2025 Windsor-Essex Regional Chamber of Commerce Business Excellence Awards on May 15.

Five of the business leaders who took home pivotal awards at the event are UWindsor graduates.

“The Business Excellence Awards celebrate the very best of our local business community,” said Tal Czudner, chair of the board and UWindsor alum. “Time and again, Windsor-Essex businesses have proven their strength and resilience, especially in challenging economic times. We grow stronger together.”

Helga Reidel won the ATHENA Leadership Award. The former CEO of Enwin Utilities Ltd. is a two-time UWindsor graduate, earning a Bachelor of Commerce in 1982 and a Bachelor of Education in 1993.

The Bulimia Anorexia Nervosa Association’s (BANA) executive director Luciana Rosu-Sieza, who received her Bachelor of Psychology in 2002, took home the Pillars of the Community Award. BANA was founded by former human kinetics prof. Dr. Dick Moriarty.

Michael Piccioni, founder of CanAm Currency Exchange, was named Entrepreneur of the Year. He graduated with a Bachelor of Commerce in 1999.

The Believe Windsor-Essex Award was presented to Colleen and Richard Peddie, a Bachelor of Commerce graduate from the class of 1970.

Katharen Bortolin, executive director Hospice Windsor Essex, won the Young Professional of the Year. Bortolin completed a Bachelor of Arts in 2013 and an MBA in 2016.

The University of Windsor and the University of Windsor Alumni Association sponsored this year’s Innovation Award, which was awarded to Accu-Label Inc. president Joe Sleiman.

Now in its 35th year, the event — presented by the Windsor Star — recognizes excellence in the Windsor-Essex business community.

The University of Windsor and the Municipality of Lakeshore have signed a new partnership to drive innovation, support housing development, and expand opportunities for students, businesses and the wider community. 

The agreement, signed Tuesday at the Atlas Tube Recreation Centre, sets out a five-year framework for research collaboration, experiential learning and community engagement. 

“This partnership is an incredible opportunity to bring the energy, talent and expertise of the University of Windsor into our communities,” said Tracey Bailey, mayor of Lakeshore. “While the initial focus will be on our housing initiatives, I look forward to seeing this partnership grow in the spirit of collaboration and public service.”

University of Windsor President and Vice-Chancellor Dr. Robert Gordon and Lakeshore Mayor Tracey Bailey, joined by representatives from UWindsor and the Municipality of Lakeshore, celebrate the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding at the Atlas Tube Recreation Centre on May 20, 2025. The partnership will support innovation, local housing development, and expanded opportunities for students and communities across the region. (Photo by UWindsor)

The memorandum of understanding outlines a range of joint efforts, including faculty and student engagement, research supported by national funding programs, community-based projects and student placements. 

Initiatives through UWindsor’s Centre for Cities will also address key priorities such as housing development, environmental sustainability and economic growth, leveraging the strengths of both partners. 

“This agreement marks an exciting step forward in our commitment to fostering innovation, education and community impact,” said Dr. Robert Gordon, president and vice-chancellor of the University of Windsor. 

“By partnering with the Municipality of Lakeshore, we are building new pathways for research collaboration, student learning and regional development. Supported by our Centre for Cities, Office of Experiential Learning and dedicated researchers, we will drive meaningful change and create opportunities that benefit both our students and the broader Lakeshore community.” 

The MOU establishes a framework for developing specific project agreements designed to strengthen research, innovation and student opportunities. It also paves the way for knowledge sharing, joint workshops, community engagement initiatives and access to expertise and resources from both institutions. 

A free hands-on workshop hosted by UWindsor filmmaker Yilin Zhu (MFA 2025) will give participants a chance to explore the world of AI audiovisual creation.

Is That Film Alive? takes place Friday, May 23, at 3 p.m. in the Performance Hall at the Armouries, 37 University Avenue East.

Open to all with no prior experience required, the session will introduce creative techniques that combine artificial intelligence with film production. Participants will have the opportunity to experiment and learn alongside Zhu in an interactive setting.

Those interested in attending are asked to pre-register by emailing tohrgmail@uwindsor.ca. For questions about the workshop, contact Yilin Zhu directly at zhu9h@uwindsor.ca.

The event is co-sponsored by the Humanities Research Group and the School of Creative Arts 'Shops.