I am pleased to share that UBC has unveiled two ambitious climate action plans for the Vancouver and Okanagan campus. With the release of these plans, UBC has pledged to significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 for both campuses and continue to play a leadership role in addressing the climate emergency. For Vancouver, that […]
Dear members of the UBC community. I would like to begin by acknowledging that I am speaking to you from the traditional, ancestral and unceded territory of the Musqueam people. Last week we celebrated our first in-person graduation ceremonies since the fall of 2019. It was such a joy to greet the graduating students as […]
Dear members of the UBC community. I would like to begin by acknowledging that I am speaking to you from the traditional, ancestral and unceded territory of the Musqueam people. My thoughts are with everyone affected by this week’s devastating storms, flooding and mudslides. It’s at times like this that we see the best in […]
Saturday, November 20th, we mark the Trans Day of Remembrance in Canada. We know that trans people at UBC and in broader communities continue to face stigma, discrimination, and violence. Each year, more names are added to the list of those who died as a result of acts of transphobia. And this year, the pandemic […]
Dear members of the UBC community: I would like to begin by acknowledging that I am speaking to you from the traditional, ancestral and unceded territory of the Musqueam people. I am pleased to report that as of this week, 93.86 percent of UBC students, faculty and staff have declared their vaccination status and 96.39% […]
Dear members of the UBC community: I would like to begin by acknowledging that I am speaking to you from the traditional, ancestral and unceded territory of the Musqueam people. COP26, the 26th UN Climate Change Conference of the Parties, is now underway in Glasgow. I am proud to say that a delegation of eight […]
Dear members of the UBC community. I’m pleased to announce that eight weeks into the Fall term, we are continuing to do very well with regard to COVID-19. As of October 19, 95% of students, faculty and staff have declared their vaccination status. Of those who have declared, 96% have declared they are fully vaccinated […]
Dear members of the UBC community. I would like to begin by acknowledging that I am speaking to you from the traditional, ancestral and unceded territory of the Musqueam people. Last week, I thanked everyone for doing their part in keeping UBC COVID-safe. I’d like to repeat my thanks, as more and more members of […]
Dear members of the UBC community. This coming weekend, Canadians celebrate Thanksgiving, a holiday that marks the changing of the seasons, and a time to gather with family and friends and reflect on everything that we’re thankful for. This Thanksgiving, I’d like to thank you, the members of the UBC community, for coming together so […]
I am pleased to announce that, following an open competition for all students, faculty, and staff, UBC is sending a delegation of eight to the 26th United Nations Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP26) in Glasgow this November. By attending the COP as official observers, UBC delegates deepen their understanding of how global climate […]
Dear members of the UBC community: I would like to start by thanking all those who have completed your online COVID-19 vaccination status declarations. By doing your part and completing the declaration, you are helping to protect the health and wellbeing of the UBC community. As of yesterday, more than 73,000 members of the UBC […]
We are heartbroken to learn of the confirmation of further burial sites of children at former residential schools. These discoveries are horrifying. We can only imagine the grief and pain that the families and communities of the missing children are feeling. UBC stands with First Nations seeking the truth about the missing children. We support […]
Dear members of the UBC community. I would like to begin by acknowledging that I am speaking to you from the traditional, ancestral and unceded territory of the Musqueam people. Earlier this month, UBC launched its new global engagement strategy, called In Service. We are unveiling this new strategy at a time of great change […]
I’m delighted to let you know that the Blue and Goldcast, my regular podcast series where I sit down with students, faculty and staff to discuss a wide range of topics, has resumed after taking a short break. We’ve recorded several new episodes, which will be released over the next few months (we’ll be recording […]
Earlier this month I had the privilege of introducing Margaret Trudeau at a talk she gave in downtown Vancouver on mental health. Trudeau – the former wife of Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau and the mother of the current prime minister, Justin Trudeau – had the audience spellbound as she frankly and courageously described her […]
As president of the University of British Columbia, it is my privilege to preside over graduation ceremonies at both the UBC Vancouver and UBC Okanagan campuses. Seeing the joy on the faces of the new graduates and the pride on the faces of their family members is an unforgettable experience. I also have the privilege […]
I’m proud to announce that UBC has been ranked first in the world in university climate action and first in Canada (third in the world) for sustainable cities and communities in the first ever THE University Impact Rankings. UBC was singled out for its “research on climate change, use of energy and preparations for dealing […]
What do a bestselling novelist, a world-renowned physicist, a futurist and an Indigenous activist-athlete have in common? They are all “provocateurs” who are shaping the way people think about a broad range of issues. And they all participated in the first season of the UBC Connects speaker series last year. The talks by novelist Isabel […]
One hundred 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 far-away conflict. In the hundred […]
Today, October 29, marks the beginning of Thrive Week at UBC. Thrive is a mindset and week-long series of events focused on helping UBC students, faculty and staff explore their path to mental health. Over the next five days, Thrive UBC will be hosting many activities to help promote mental health, including mindfulness drop-in sessions, […]