Statement on the violence in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict
The escalation of this longstanding conflict and developing events is intensifying distress and concern among members of our university community.
Welcome to the new academic year
It gives me great pleasure to welcome you all to the academic year. Whether you’re a new or returning student, a faculty or staff member, I hope the coming year is a successful one.
The resilience of our UBC community during the Okanagan wildfires
This message was sent to faculty, staff and students in Vancouver and the Okanagan. Last week, many of us watched as the wildfire situation in the Okanagan evolved into more and more evacuation orders. It was very difficult to see people leaving their homes, some of whom were UBC students, faculty and staff. On Friday […]
Philip B. Lind, CM (1943 – 2023)
It is with deep sadness that we learned of the passing of Philip B. Lind, CM (BA ’66, LLD ’02), a distinguished alumnus and loyal supporter of UBC. On behalf of the entire UBC community, I would like to express my heartfelt condolences to Phil’s family. As one of Canada’s respected media industry leaders and […]
Support for students during the Kelowna wildfires
The following message was issued by Lesley Cormack, Principal and Deputy Vice-Chancellor, UBC Okanagan As wildfires continue to burn in and around Kelowna and across the province, I am deeply touched by the outpouring of support and encouragement our community has received from across Canada and around the world. As of 8:40 a.m. this morning, […]
Support during the Central Okanagan wildfire situation
To all our UBCO community members who are under evacuation alert or order, and to everyone in and around Kelowna, we hope this message finds you and your loved ones safe and well. As you may be aware, the UBCO campus was also ordered to evacuate just minutes ago. We are working to ensure the safety of […]
Dr. Benoit-Antoine Bacon named UBC president
Dr. Benoit-Antoine Bacon will become the 17th President and Vice-Chancellor of The University of British Columbia. Currently President and Vice-Chancellor of Carleton University, Dr. Bacon is recognized for his leadership in student success, research funding, Indigenous initiatives, sustainability, and equity, diversity and inclusion. As a researcher, Dr. Bacon studies the neurophysiological and cognitive bases of […]
Summer 2023
Welcome Welcome to the Summer 2023 issue of Letter from the President, a regular communication to members of the UBC community. Highlights Celebrating our Graduates UBC Team Develops Font for Musqueam Language UBCO Confers First-ever Degrees Taught in Nsyilxcn Language New Process Developed at UBC to Make Lightweight Electric Cars News from around UBC […]
May 2023
Welcome Welcome to the May 2023 issue of the Letter from the President, a regular communication to members of the UBC community. Highlights German president’s visit to UBC highlights clean energy and climate change solutions UBCO honours this year’s most outstanding researchers Spring Graduation Ceremonies begin May 24 Larry Grant to be awarded Honorary […]
Statement on the Nationwide Graduate Student and Postdoctoral Researcher Walkout
Today, UBC graduate students and postdoctoral researchers are participating in a nationwide walkout to call for graduate students and postdoctoral researchers to receive needed federal funding for their scholarly activities. The purpose of the walkout is to demonstrate how integral graduate students and postdoctoral fellows are to research institutions, and to push for a federal […]
Spring 2023
Welcome Welcome to the Spring 2023 issue of Letter from the President, a regular communication to members of the UBC community. Highlights Welcome to Frank Laezza Dolph Schluter Receives Crafoord Prize Congratulations to Faculty Research Awards Recipients UBC Okanagan Interdisciplinary Collaboration and Innovation building UBC to lead Immuno-Engineering and Biomanufacturing Hub UBC breaks ground on […]
January 2023
Welcome Welcome to the January 2023 issue of Letter from the President, a regular communication to members of the UBC community. Highlights A Message to the UBC Indigenous Community Roadmap for Change: Implementing anti-racism commitments at UBC 30-Year Vision: Draft for Input UBC Announces Three New Killam Professors First Nations Longhouse Expansion Congratulations to UBC’s […]
A Message to UBC Vancouver on behalf of the President and Vancouver Provost
To quote the UBC Indigenous Strategic Plan, “Truth before Reconciliation,” all of our actions need to be based on a fundamental commitment to truth, to openness and transparency, and to humility. We know that this has been a difficult three months. We are deeply concerned that the issues raised and the university’s response have harmed […]
A Message from the Interim President and Vice-Chancellor
Dear members of the UBC community: As UBC’s newly appointed Interim President and Vice-Chancellor, I would like to thank UBC Board Chair Nancy McKenzie and the Board of Governors for entrusting me with this responsibility. It is an honour to take on the position and contribute to this remarkable university. I enjoyed serving as Deputy-Vice […]
Welcome Back!
03 Welcome back to campus and the start of the 2022-23 academic year! I hope you all had a good summer. Welcome Students This week, UBC welcomes thousands of new and returning students to our campuses and learning sites. Thousands of new students are coming to our Okanagan and Vancouver campuses from across British Columbia, […]
Walking the path of Reconciliation: The Indigenous Strategic Initiatives Fund
When we launched the Indigenous Strategic Plan (ISP) nearly two years ago, we hoped it would provide guidance and inspiration for the UBC community and beyond. Being able to invest in our commitments and enable student-led projects to come to life and have a genuine impact in our communities is a crucial step in the […]
Djavad Mowafaghian, CM, OBC (1927 – 2022)
It is with profound sadness and a deep sense of loss that we learned of the passing of Dr. Djavad Mowafaghian. Affectionately called “Dr. M” by those whom he’s helped through his generosity, he was one of Canada’s most visionary philanthropists and a dear friend of UBC. On behalf of the entire UBC community, […]
Douglas Mitchell, CM, AOE, QC, 1939–2022
We are deeply saddened by the recent passing of Douglas Mitchell, CM, AOE, QC, LLD (BLaws ’62). I wish to express my deepest condolences to his wife, Lois, and their family during this difficult time. A former player, Commissioner and member of the Board of Governors for the Canadian Football League (CFL), Mr. Mitchell was […]
Statement to the UBC Community
Dear members of the UBC Community: At the start of my seventh academic year as your President and Vice-Chancellor, I write to inform you of my decision to complete my term as the 15th President of UBC in October 2022. I have accepted an invitation from the Board of Regents of the University of Michigan […]
Canada Day 2022
Canada Day is a time for celebration and reflection. While we have much to celebrate this Canada Day, we still have far to go to achieve a truly representative and equitable university, province and country. We have seen progress over the past year — at UBC, we have begun to work on the 54 comprehensive […]