Looking Back on 2019
As the year draws to a close, it’s appropriate to reflect on the accomplishments and challenges of the past 12 months. I enjoyed chatting with UBC student senator Julia Chai about the highlights of the year for UBC. I hope the year 2019 was a good one for all of you. Best wishes for 2020! […]
Happy Holidays from Santa
I would like to wish everybody a wonderful holiday season and all the best for 2020! Santa J. Ono President and Vice-Chancellor
Students as Partners: Leveraging Human Capital to Advance Digital Innovation
6th Annual Conference on Educational Innovation (CIIE 2019) Tecnologico de Monterrey, Monterrey, Mexico Thank you. Coming all the way from the west coast of Canada where things are considerably colder and darker at the moment, it’s a treat for me to be able to join you here in Mexico, especially at Tecnologico de Monterrey. UBC […]
30 Years Later: Remembering Them
Vancouver Beam of Light Ceremony, Chan Centre for the Performing Arts Good morning. Thirty years ago today, 14 young women were killed at École Polytechnique de Montréal because they were women. At the time of the attack, I had recently moved from Montreal to Harvard, after completing my studies at McGill University. I was also […]
Honour the École Polytechnique Women by Learning About Them
Today, on the 30th anniversary of the attack at École Polytechnique de Montréal, it is my honour to turn this blog over to UBC student Emily Fuchs. Emily is a 5th year media studies and computer science student. She’s passionate about how technology impacts the ways in which we learn and communicate with one another. […]
Declaration on the Climate Emergency
This morning, the UBC Board of Governors endorsed the following UBC Declaration on the Climate Emergency. I would like to thank all those who have engaged with us on this issue, especially UBC’s students, faculty and staff members. Their activism and passion were essential in getting the university to act on the climate crisis. I […]
December 2019
Welcome Welcome to the December 2019 issue of issue of Letter from Santa, a regular communication from myself to members of the UBC community. Highlights Senior Academic Advisors Shaping UBC’s Next Century Call for proposals: Advancing Education Renewal Strategic Cooperation with Osaka University U7 Executive Committee Election Congratulations to Candis Callison and Connie Eaves […]
November/December 2019
Welcome Welcome to the November/December 2019 issue of Letter to the Board, a regular communication to members of the UBC Board of Governors. Highlights Senior Academic Advisors Shaping UBC’s Next Century Call for proposals: Advancing Education Renewal Strategic Cooperation with Osaka University U7 Executive Committee Election Congratulations to Candis Callison and Connie Eaves 5G Comes […]
UBC funding to foster collaborations in research excellence
I’m pleased to announce the renewal and expansion of our Collaborative Research Mobility Awards (CRMA) program, a program which helps our research community establish new, or expand on existing, collaborations. The CRMA program facilitates collaboration on timely research opportunities between researchers in Vancouver and the Okanagan, helping them share knowledge, interests and access to equipment. […]
Humanizing Leadership and Harmonizing Learning
BC School Superintendents Association, Vancouver Thank you, Sue-Ellen. It is truly an honour to join you here today. It is always a privilege to be able to join fellow educators for robust conversation around matters of teaching, learning and leadership. It’s good to be able to step out of that fast-moving river of responsibility now […]
Remembrance Day Reflections: We Owe Our Veterans So Much
One hundred and one years ago today, the guns fell silent in Europe, marking the end of what many hoped would be the war to end all wars. Although UBC was only a few years old, many of its students, faculty and staff heeded the call to serve their country in that conflict. In the […]
Announcing Senior Faculty Advisors to the President
I am pleased to announce that Senior Instructor Kathryn Gretsinger, Professor Walter Mérida, Associate Professor Karen Ragoonaden, and Professor John Klironomos have been appointed as Senior Faculty Advisors to the President. Kathryn Gretsinger and Walter Mérida are based at UBC Vancouver, with Karen Ragoonaden and John Klironomos based at UBC Okanagan. Each faculty advisor will […]
Thriving at UBC
At UBC, we know that increased wellbeing leads to deeper learning, higher productivity, and a stronger sense of connection — all of which help create happier, healthier communities. Supporting the wellbeing of our community members is very important to me personally. Exactly three years ago, I was proud to take part as UBC became one […]
Election 2019: Why your voice matters
With the 2019 federal election happening on October 21, we want to take this opportunity to speak to you about why this is such a significant event, and why your voice matters. UBC embraces its responsibility to nurture civic engagement across our community and to strive to make a better world from the local to […]
Response to UBCC350 Climate Strike Open Letter
UBCC350 c/o ubcc350@gmail.com Thank you for your letter of October 4th, 2019. I appreciate the energy and dedication you have put into this cause. It is inspiring to see so many students and other members of the UBC community use the power of the collective voice to raise awareness of climate change and the need […]
A Commitment to Move Forward: Apology Plaque Presentation
Musqueam Cultural Centre Good evening. I am honoured to be here and to present this plaque which commemorates the Statement of Apology that I made on behalf of the university on April 9, 2018. In the Statement, I apologized on behalf of UBC to survivors of the residential schools, to their families and communities, and […]
Presidential Priorities for 2019-20
As the first month of the 2019-20 academic year comes to a close, I’d like to discuss my strategic priorities for the year. These priorities include research excellence & innovation, sustainability, leveraging our physical presence, the Indigenous Strategic Plan, and the Integrated Renewal Program. My first priority is driving research excellence and innovation. UBC is […]
Open Letter to federal party leaders
Dear Party Leaders: With the federal election campaign now officially underway, our country’s future prosperity is top of mind for me as it is for millions of Canadians. In a rapidly changing world and in the face of global and national crises, Canadians look to you for the leadership and policies that help deliver a […]
September 2019
Welcome Welcome to the September 2019 issue of Letter from Santa, a regular communication from myself to members of the UBC community. Highlights Imagine/Create Homecoming/Sports Hall of Fame Integrated Renewal Program Update Fulbright Board UBC: The Next Century APRU Senior International Leaders Meeting Times Higher Education Rankings Opening of Exchange Residence Truth and Reconciliation UBC Connects […]
September 2019
Welcome Welcome to the September 2019 issue of Letter to the Board, a regular communication to members of the UBC Board of Governors. (You can also view this newsletter at https://president-2023.sites.olt.ubc.ca/board-letter/2019/09/20/september-2019/) Imagine/Create I was thrilled to participate in the Imagine and Create orientation events at UBC’s Vancouver and Okanagan campuses on September 3. Seeing and talking to the thousands of […]