The University of British Columbia
UBC - A Place of Mind
The University of British Columbia
Office of the President
  • The President
    • About the President
    • The President’s Medal of Excellence
      • 2018 Recipients
      • 2019 Recipients
  • The Office
    • President’s Office Staff
    • Past Presidents
    • Ombudsperson for Students Office Review 2018-19
  • Communications
    • Articles
    • Blog
    • The Blue and Goldcast
    • Letter to the Board
    • Media: Santa in the News
    • President’s Newsletter (Letter from Santa)
    • Speeches & Announcements
    • Statements to the University Community
    • Weekly Updates
    • Videos/Audio
  • Strategic Initiatives
    • UBC’s Strategic Plan
    • Presidential Priorities, 2021-22
    • President’s Community-University Roundtables
    • Statement of Apology
    • Together Against Racism and Injustice
    • Anti-Asian Racism Forum Recommendations
    • UBC Connects
  • Contact Us
    • Meeting Request Form
    • Breakfast with the President request
    • Email the President
    • Request the President’s Participation
Home / Blog / 2017 / May / 30 / In a time of global uncertainty, innovation is more important than ever

In a time of global uncertainty, innovation is more important than ever

May 30, 2017

His Excellency The Right Honourable David Johnston, Governor General of Canada with UBC students and some Canadian innovations (photo by Paul Joseph)

On Friday, June 2, I will have the honour of hosting His Excellency, The Right Honourable David Johnston, Governor General of Canada, and Open Text founder and chair Tom Jenkins, co-authors of a book on Canadian innovation called Ingenious: How Canadian Innovators Made the World Smarter, Smaller, Kinder, Safer, Healthier, Wealthier, and Happier. (The book, published by Penguin Random House, is available at the UBC Bookstore, and other stores. There’s also a version for children, Innovation Nation – see below).

Ingenious (which includes a profile of UBC’s Dr. Janet Werker, director of the Infant Studies Centre) cites many innovations developed by Indigenous people that predate the arrival of Europeans. Indigenous peoples invented the canoe, snowshoe, igloo, dogsled, lifejacket, and the bunk bed, among other innovations.

That spirit of innovation is still very much alive in Canada today. As the book tells us, from Bovril to BlackBerrys, lightbulbs to liquid helium, peanut butter to Pablum to insulin, Canadian ingenuity has had tremendous impact.

I am proud to say that UBC has played an important role in Canadian innovation. Currently we enjoy the designation by Reuters as Canada’s most innovative university and rank among the top 50 most innovative universities globally.

UBC researchers are innovating in all fields – from accounting and architecture to visual arts and zoology, and everything in between.

  • In health care, think about AIDS or prostate cancer research, brain health or any number of biotechnology advances. In mining, our engineers and our methods are in demand around the world.
  • In computer science, the “(dot)CA” domain was created by UBC’s Computing Facilities manager John Demco in 1987 – two years before the emergence of the World Wide Web.
  • And if you’re concerned about your ecological footprint, you can thank Bill Rees and Mathis Wackernagel of UBC’s School of Community and Regional Planning professors, who developed the concept back in the early 1990s.

As you can see from the above examples, innovation doesn’t take place in a vacuum. It has tangible societal benefits, and is where our research at UBC touches the provincial, national and global economies. (You can read more about UBC innovations here.)

BC is already an innovative province. The B.C. technology sector currently supports more than 100,000 jobs, houses more than 9,900 technology companies, and our homegrown talent is in high demand in Canada and around the world.

Innovation is occurring in every economic sector and every region of the province – whether it’s agriculture, health care, mining, education, tourism, technology, transportation, forestry and film. Whether on Vancouver Island, in the interior, the Fraser Valley or Northern BC, there are companies and individuals who are innovating. And we need to give them the support and encouragement they need.

Our province has one of Canada’s most vibrant innovation ecosystems, with pioneering companies across economic sectors, research agencies, industry and business associations, and post-secondary institutions and associations. But we need to do more.

Despite its great natural wealth and its industrial expertise, Canada is falling behind in terms of the productivity, competitiveness, and trained workforce needed to stay abreast of the competition. In global terms, we’re in a period of economic stagnation. If we are to regain our position as a leader in world trade, we must find new products, new methods of production, new markets for our goods; in a word, we must innovate.

This is especially important at a time of geo-political uncertainty. Brexit, the election of Donald Trump and other recent events outside our borders have only increased the dangers and the opportunities we face.

Talent is what drives innovation, and the post-secondary education sector plays an important role as an economic growth engine. I am honored to have been appointed as Chief Advisor for BC Innovation Network and to work with leaders in industry and post-secondary education to transform our innovation ecosystem into an innovation network – a network that collaborates, communicates and advocates in ways that support all British Columbians.

The future holds great promise – that is, if we make the kinds of investment that will pay large dividends: investments in interdisciplinary learning and research; in cross-border collaboration; in incubators and start-ups; in the preparation of a trained and flexible workforce; in innovation clusters that combine complementary strength ths in a variety of fields; and in partnerships between universities, governments, and industry.

Perhaps the most important investment we can make to ensure the success of an innovation-based economy is in the development of human capital: the education of a creative, highly-skilled and diverse population. Then British Columbians will be truly prepared to participate as global citizens in an increasingly competitive and changing world.

UBC – and its sister institutions of higher learning in British Columbia – are prepared to do our part, and to help Canada foster the next generation of innovators. My colleagues at Simon Fraser University and the University of Victoria, Andrew Petter and Jamie Cassels respectively, both spoke eloquently about this this past week. Andrew Petter told the Vancouver Board of Trade:

“There is so much more we can do when we engage – when we connect our students, link our researchers and share our capacities with the communities we serve. The lesson for governments is that innovation demands their engagement too, in helping to ensure that BC has the talent and resources required to realize its full innovative potential. And the lesson for communities is to seize the opportunities that engaged universities and supportive governments provide, so that – together – we can create an innovation ecosystem that is second to none.  If we get it right – if universities become engaged; governments provide support; and communities take up the challenge – I’m convinced that BC will indeed distinguish itself as a global innovation leader.”

While Jamie Cassels wrote in the Vancouver Sun that this is Canada’s time to lead the world in research and innovation:

“This is Canada’s moment. Now is the time for us to lead the world in higher education, research and innovation. In an era of closing borders and closing minds, Canada’s universities are reinforcing worldwide connections to ideas, collaborations and expertise. We have the talent, commitment and networks necessary to lead.”

I agree wholeheartedly. We do have the talent, commitment and networks. Now we must act.

 

 

 

 

Latest Updates

  • Vancouver Police Department Mess Dinner Keynote Address
  • Asian Heritage Month: A Conversation with Henry Yu
  • Blue & Gold Campaign—It’s a wrap!
  • TransLink and UBC
  • Community Update: Mask Requirement Extended
Follow Santa Ono on social media

Previous Posts

  • Asian Heritage Month: A Conversation with Henry Yu
  • Blue & Gold Campaign—It’s a wrap!
  • National Day of Mourning
  • TransLink and UBC
  • Community Update: Mask Requirement Extended
  • Statement on BDS
  • Strategic Plan Update
  • Community Update, April 1, 2022: Reducing Exam Stress
  • Community Update, March 11, 2022: Masks Still Required on UBC Campuses
  • Statement on Russia and Ukraine
  • Community Update, February 18, 2022: Pink Shirt Day
  • Community Update, February 11, 2022: Thank You for a Safe Return to Campus
  • Update on Winter Session, Term 2
  • Statement on International Holocaust Remembrance Day
  • Statement on Williams Lake
  • At the University of British Columbia, we are committed to doing our part to address the climate crisis
  • Holiday Greetings 2021
  • Update: In-person exams, residence and testing
  • Community Update, December 10, 2021: New paths toward meaningful reconciliation
  • UBC launches ambitious climate action plans
  • Community Update, December 2, 2021: Envisioning Equality
  • Community Update, November 18, 2021: Emergency Funding Available for Those Affected by Flooding
  • Observing Trans Day of Remembrance
  • Community Update, November 12, 2021: Thanks to you, UBC is COVID safe
  • Community Update, November 4, 2021: Creating the most sustainable campuses in the world
  • Community Update, October 20, 2021: Vaccination Declaration Non-Compliance
  • Community Update, October 15, 2021: Vaccination Clinics at UBC
  • Community Update, October 8, 2021: Looking Forward to Celebrating Graduation In Person
  • UBC Sending Delegation of Eight to COP26
  • Community Update, September 29, 2021: Orange Shirt Day | National Day for Truth and Reconciliation
  • Presidential Priorities, 2021-22
  • Community Update, September 16, 2021: Homecoming
  • IRP Student: UBC’s Renewal Journey Continues
  • Do Your Part: Declare Your Vaccination Status
  • Community Update, September 1, 2021: Vaccination is the key to a successful return to campus
  • Voting in the 2021 Federal Election
  • Community Update, August 27, 2021: Mandated Masks and Vaccinations
  • Community Update, August 20, 2021: Preparing our campuses for Fall 2021
  • National Day for Truth and Reconciliation on September 30, 2021
  • Update, August 13, 2021: Supporting Mandatory Indoor Masking and Vaccination
  • COVID-19 Concerns
  • Community Update, July 16, 2021: Black Opportunity Fund
  • Black Opportunity Fund partners with UBC to empower next generation of Black leaders
  • Weekly Update: June 25, 2021: Return to Campus will be a transition, not an event
  • Statement on the Missing Children of Canada’s Indian Residential Schools
  • Weekly Update, June 18, 2021: The Anti-Asian Racism Forum is Over, But Our Work is Just Beginning
  • Weekly Update, June 11, 2021: A Phased Approach to the Fall
  • Weekly Update, June 4, 2021: Statement on the Kamloops Indian Residential School
  • Statement on the Missing Children of the Kamloops Indian Residential School
  • Weekly Update, May 28, 2021: Spring Graduation
  • Weekly Update, May 21, 2021: Plans for Fall 2021
  • External Review of Campus Security
  • Weekly Update, May 14, 2021: Join the Vaccine-Nation
  • Weekly Update, May 7, 2021: Asian Heritage Month
  • Weekly Update, April 30, 2021: Let’s Bring SkyTrain to UBC
  • Universities Must Do More to Address the Climate Emergency
  • Weekly Update, April 23, 2021: UBC and Global Engagement
  • Weekly Update, April 20, 2021: Planning for Fall 2021
  • UBC and the Overdose Crisis
  • Weekly Update, April 9, 2021: Vaccination Clinic at UBC
  • Launching UBC’s Global Engagement Strategy
  • Statement on Anti-Asian Racism
  • Weekly Update, March 12, 2021: Planning for the Fall
  • UBC and UTokyo – A Relationship Forged Through Baseball, Quantum Materials and Mutual Esteem
  • Weekly Update, March 5, 2021: International Women’s Day
  • QS World University Subject Rankings Demonstrate UBC’s Breadth of Excellence
  • Weekly Update, February 26, 2021
  • Weekly Update: February 19, 2021
  • COVID-19 innovations hold lessons for national policy
  • Weekly Update, February 12
  • Statement on Release of Loujain Al-Hathloul
  • Weekly Update, February 5, 2021
  • Weekly Update, February 1, 2021: Black History Month
  • Let’s Talk About Mental Health
  • Weekly Update, January 22, 2021
  • Congratulations to UBC’s Killam Professors
  • UBC’s response to sentencing of alumna Loujain Al-Hathloul
  • Holiday Greetings
  • Update on UBC’s Evolving Relationship with the RCMP
  • Weekly Update, December 11, 2020
  • Update: Extending the SkyTrain to UBC
  • Weekly Update, December 4, 2020
  • Weekly Update, November 26, 2020
  • Weekly Update, November 20, 2020
  • Weekly Update, November 13, 2020
  • Weekly Update, November 6, 2020
  • Weekly Update: October 30, 2020
  • Weekly Update: October 23, 2020
  • Weekly Update: October 16, 2020
  • Weekly Update: October 2, 2020
  • Voting in the 2020 BC Provincial Election 
  • Weekly Update: September 25, 2020
  • Weekly Update: September 21, 2020
  • Welcome Back to the Blue & Goldcast!
  • Weekly Update: September 14, 2020
  • Weekly Update, August 28: Welcome New Students
  • Looking Forward to the Next Five Years
  • Statement on National Indigenous Peoples Day
  • Welcome to Steven Lewis Point; Farewell to Lindsay Gordon
  • Touring Brent Sparrow’s ʔəlqsən art installation
  • Guest Post: Working in the President’s Office
  • COVID-19: UBC and the Community
  • COVID-19: A Message to International Students
  • A Message to Students: The importance of physical distancing
  • Repatriating Cultural Property: A Priority for UBC
  • UBC: Among the Best in the World
  • Choose to Reuse
  • UBC launches Iranian Student Memorial Award
  • Looking Back on 2019
  • Happy Holidays from Santa
  • Honour the École Polytechnique Women by Learning About Them
  • UBC funding to foster collaborations in research excellence
  • Remembrance Day Reflections: We Owe Our Veterans So Much
  • Thriving at UBC
  • Election 2019: Why your voice matters
  • Presidential Priorities for 2019-20
  • UBC: The Next Century – the book!
  • Putting Students First with the Blue & Gold Campaign
  • U7 Alliance will Address the World’s Most Pressing Challenges
  • UBC’s Next Century: An update on the strategic plan
  • The President’s Medal of Excellence: 2019 Recipients
  • Changing My Mind: Margaret Trudeau on Mental Health
  • “Never lose that sense of adventure, that sense of wonder”
  • Blue and Goldcast: Talking about GenSqueeze
  • Three Takeways from the Roundtable on Non-Market Housing Innovation
  • Shaping UBC Okanagan’s Future
  • Congress 2019: Canada’s biggest academic conference is coming to UBC
  • UBC gets global recognition for sustainability impact
  • What Music Means to Me
  • Annual Giving – Faculty & Staff Appeal
  • Raising the Musqueam Flag: Acknowledging the past, recognizing our future responsibilities
  • UBC Connects: Connecting UBC to the community
  • Take the Cool Campus Challenge
  • Strategic Plan funding focuses on Indigenous, cross-campus initiatives
  • UBC’s Emeritus College is the first of its kind in Canada
  • Holiday Reflections: Honouring our commitments
  • So that the guns will fall silent forever
  • Thrive Week at UBC
  • His Highness the Aga Khan: An inspiration to us all
  • Shaping UBC’s Next Century: An update on the strategic plan
  • Listen Up, it’s the Blue & Goldcast!
  • Welcome to UBC!
  • Looking ahead to 2018-19
  • Stadium Neighbourhood: developing a thriving and sustainable community
  • Be a tourist at UBC this summer!
  • UBC: Proud to be a Pacific Rim university
  • The President’s Medal of Excellence: “A significant contribution to the purposes and ideals of the university”
  • Residential Schools: Breaking the Silence
  • Graduation: Sharing the Pride and Joy
  • Introducing Innovation UBC
  • Taking the SkyTrain to UBC
  • Continuing the journey: UBC’s strategic plan
  • Life is a marathon, not a sprint
  • The Indian Residential School History and Dialogue Centre: Fulfilling a Promise
  • Building a more inclusive campus community
  • Budget 2018: A clear recognition of the value of Canada’s science and research community
  • Digital Technology Supercluster means exciting opportunities for UBC, now and in the future
  • Inspire: “This is our moment”
  • Getting closer to where you want to be
  • Looking back on 2017, looking forward to 2018
  • The Blue & Gold campaign: Change their world so they can change ours
  • Going global: Our future depends on it
  • Building a better Canada
  • Overcoming the stigma of mental illness
  • UBC’s Next Century — the next phase of engagement
  • Supporting the dreamers
  • Imagine UBC 2017
  • Looking ahead to 2017-18
  • Summer at UBC
  • Exercise Run Down: Keeping the UBC community safe
  • Thank you, faculty and staff: you make UBC special
  • Tokyo trip lays building blocks for future engagement with Japan
  • Graduation: The next stage in a remarkable journey
  • Exam anxiety? UBC can help
  • We cannot change the past, but we can honestly recognize it
  • UBC’s Next Century: Have your say
  • The Learning Exchange: Engaging UBC with the Downtown Eastside
  • Using data for social good: Announcing the Cascade Urban Analytics Cooperative
  • Update on Presidential Task Force
  • An innovative start to the Year of the Rooster
  • UBC’s Next Century: Moving from Excellence to Eminence
  • UBC’s Next Century
  • UBC’s Strategic Plan – seeking your input
  • A time for reflection
  • Office of the President
    7th Floor, Walter C. Koerner Library
    1958 Main Mall
    Vancouver, BC Canada V6T 1Z2
    Website president.ubc.ca
    Email presidents.office@ubc.ca
    Find us on
        
    Back to top
    The University of British Columbia
    • Emergency Procedures |
    • Terms of Use |
    • Copyright |
    • Accessibility