Aug. 30, 2024

Welcoming students during OWeek

Students celebrate during 2023 OWeek opening ceremonies (Photo source: Western Communications)

Safety, inclusion and setting students up for academic and personal success are key elements of Orientation Week as the university kicks off the new academic year. 

Preparing first-year students for university

(Third from left) Allan Gaikwad with incoming first-year students (Submitted photo) 

Incoming first-year student Allan Gaikwad’s time at Western’s Overnight Experience calmed his nerves this summer, helping him create new friendships and now has him counting down the days until classes start. The program is just one of many activities offered by Student Experience as part of Western Launch.

Study: Movement helps children with ADHD perform better 

(Photo source: Adobe Stock Image)

According to new research from the Faculty of Education, allowing kids with ADHD to engage in movement, like pedalling at a desk cycle, can improve their focus and performance in the classroom.

Also covered by: CTV Toronto

Tips for tackling food waste 

(Image source: Ivey Communications)

New research led by Ivey professor Paul van der Werf in collaboration with the Human Environments Analysis Lab, reveals the average household wastes six portions of food each week. Their new report, Good to the Last Bite, offers Canadians practical solutions to help reduce waste, save money and protect the environment. 

Also covered by: CTV Your Morning, CTV London and CBC London Morning

The Impact Project 

Explore how the Western community is collectively contributing to meaningful change in the world, today.

Marianna Speranza, Raj Singh and Greg Kopp (Image source: Crystal Carter/Western Communications)

Never has a discussion of impact been more important. If you have an impact story, we would love to hear it. Whether it is something you are working on, or the efforts of a colleague, drop us a note. Together, we will make a difference by inspiring others.

Coming Up

Working at Western

(Photo source: Geoff Robins) 

OWeek road closures 
During Orientation Week, Western welcomes thousands of students to campus. To support the safety of all community members a number of campus roads will be closed from Thursday, Aug. 29 at 8 p.m. until at least Sunday, Sept. 8. Parking lots will remain open. Pick-up and drop-off locations are available. Be sure to give yourself extra travel time. View maps and more information. 

Operational Excellence Program  
Enrolment is now open for fall workshops and online learning that you can do at your own pace. Administrators who complete five or more workshops, eLearning modules or roundtables receive a Certificate in Administrative Operational Excellence at an annual recognition event. 

Labour Day   
Western is observing Labour Day on Monday, Sept. 2. 

Photo of the Week

Congratulations to the 190 students of the MD Class of 2028 who received white coats during Schulich Medicine & Dentistry's white coat ceremony. (Post source: @Schulich WesternU on X/Twitter)

Western in the News

(From left) Graduate students Katarina Kukolj and Alicia Banwell and biology professor Greg Thorn explaining how fungi are central to the forest’s ecosystem (Photo source: TVO Kids)

TVO Kids 
The Secrets of the forest: Marvelous mycorrhizae 
In the season premiere of TVO Kids' Secrets of the Forest, biology professor Greg Thorn and graduate students Alicia Banwell and Katarina Kukolj explain how fungi are central to the forest’s ecosystem.  

The Atlantic 
It eats plastic. You eat it. 
Scientists, including Ivey and engineering professor Joshua Pearce, are exploring whether microbes can turn plastic waste into edible powder. 

The Telegraph 
Don’t switch off ‘comatose’ patients, study warns... they may still be conscious 
Schulich Medicine & Dentistry research associate Karnig Kazazian discusses his new research demonstrating how neuroimaging can be used to more accurately predict survival rates of brain injured patients in the ICU.