World-renowned physicist Stephen Hawking has accepted a postion at Waterloo's Perimeter Institute.

”The Institute's twin focus, on quantum theory and gravity, is very close to my heart and central to explaining the origin of the Universe.” (Hawking)

This is very exciting and quite an accomplishment for Canadian university's .

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/s...al_gam_mostview

Wow! Cool!

We have the founder of RIM to thank for that. While Balstille (sp??) is indulging is passion for hockey, his parter is indulging his passion for science.

Yes it is very cool. Not only does it bring brilliant minds such as himself to Canadian university's, it also attracts the people that work with him as well. This is a huge boost for Waterloo university. I am sure his research will be very well funded:). Hopefully this helps to bring international recognition to Waterloo and other great Canadian universitys.

And then there is Carelton........bringing the wrong kind of recognition, although, as was mentioned in the other thread, they are doing an about face.

I bet the prime reason for getting Hawking is to attract bright young minds. The U of Waterloo already has a very good reputation. In the 80s and 90s it had one of the top 5 ranked computer science programs in the world.

It's not often that a university can attract someone who has appeared on the Simpsons.

I say this as a science/physics geek who admires the man and has read more than one of his books. What has Steven Hawking done in recent memory other than trying to convince people that we need to colonize space?

That seems to be the way it is with us. What we gain in competence as we age, we loose in creativity.

What he will do for the institute is attract bright young minds that are inspired by what he has done.

I'd go to the college where the girls have the biggest boobs.

Is that helpful to the discussion in any way?