Prestige program
UW seeks brain gain in hunt for world-class scholars
WATERLOO — Canada’s universities are hunting around the globe for up to 25 top researchers, and the University of Waterloo hopes new federal funding will help it recruit a few more.
Federal Science Minister Kirsty Duncan visited UW Monday to promote her government’s plan to spend a further $118 million to attract world-class scholars.
It’s part of a prestige program called Canada Research Chairs that’s expanding to help celebrate the nation’s 150th birthday. “We value the hard work of our scientists,” Duncan said.
UW already has up to 53 prestige scholars who conduct research that’s “undiluted, fundamental, and curiosity-based,” president Feridun Hamdullahpur said. The school will compete with other schools for new professors after the Liberal government announced new funding in its latest budget.
The government wants top scholars hired quickly, landing professors in months rather than years. Schools will target Canadians who are studying abroad and international researchers, aiming in part to recruit more women and minorities.
Duncan was asked if her government hopes to lure top scholars from the U.S. who might be uncertain about research prospects under President Donald Trump. “We want to attract world-leading researchers to Canada,” she said, declining to discuss the American president.
UW Internet researcher Catherine Rosenberg said new funding helps universities draw top graduate students and frees scholars like her to think further ahead and take risks in their research projects.
“With high risk comes high rewards,” said Rosenberg, who has worked in several countries and is among the top talent already funded by the federal government at UW. She conducts research on wireless networks and energy systems.