Terry Lavender
Choose to Reuse
At this time of year, a hot beverage is one of life’s simple pleasures. That ritual is even more satisfying if it’s done sustainably. I’m proud that the UBC Vancouver community is making a change this month: reducing the use of disposable coffee cups and plastic food ware. We’re encouraging students, faculty and staff to […]
Global University, Global Family
Robert H. Lee Alumni Centre, UBC Vancouver campus Thank you, Sheldon for the kind introduction. Sheldon and Emelda, we are delighted that you have joined us all the way from Hong Kong for tonight’s event. Your enduring commitment to UBC is truly appreciated—and speaks to the global reach of our UBC community. Thank you for […]
UBC launches Iranian Student Memorial Award
The University of British Columbia is today launching the Iranian Student Memorial Award, a new endowment to honour the legacy of those who died aboard flight PS752, including four members of our own UBC community. The award, established with the help of the Iranian‐Canadian community, will provide awards annually to students in memory of the […]
National remembrance of those lost in Iran
Universities across Canada will join together in a moment of silence to recognize those lost and affected by the crash of Ukraine International Airlines Flight 752. I ask that students, faculty and staff please pause and remember the victims, and consider the impact the impact on their families, loved ones and communities across the country […]
Update: Next Steps Following Climate Emergency Declaration and Commitment to Divestment
Summary Statement The climate crisis is one of the most pressing issues of our time and UBC wants to ensure that our community and the public is informed of the actions that the university is taking as a leader in sustainability and climate action. This update provides the context of President Santa Ono’s Climate Emergency […]
Flags lowered in memory of victims of Flight 752 tragedy
Flags have been lowered on UBC’s Vancouver and Okanagan campuses today in memory of those who died in the Ukrainian International Airlines Flight 752 tragedy in Iran, including four members of our UBC community. It is with great sadness that I can now report the death of alumna Niloofar Razzaghi who graduated with a Bachelor […]
Statement on UIA 752 Tragedy
I am profoundly saddened to confirm that two former UBC students are among those reportedly killed in the Ukrainian International Airlines Flight 752 tragedy in Iran. Details of this incident are still developing, but the names of Zeynab Asadi Lari and Mohammadhossein Asadi Lari appear on the flight manifest. Zeynab enrolled at UBC in 2016 […]
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 […]