Innovation: Conception and Connection
Vancouver Board of Trade March 28, 2017, 11:30 a.m. Four Seasons Hotel, Vancouver Good afternoon and thank you everyone. It’s an honour to be with you today. I’d like to begin by acknowledging that we are gathered on the the traditional, ancestral, and unceded territory of the Coast Salish people, the Musqueam, the Squamish and […]
UBC welcomes 2017 federal budget investments in innovation, opportunities for students
The federal budget introduced this week includes welcome measures that support the continued development of Canada’s most important assets: our people. The 2017 federal budget tabled by Finance Minister Bill Morneau Wednesday includes funding for work-integrated learning, Indigenous student supports, and a new organization to support skills development across Canada. “We are pleased to see […]
Full STEAM Ahead: The role of Arts in the 21st century university
Faculty of Arts, University of British Columbia The “liberal arts” today are generally understood to mean the arts and social sciences, as distinct from the physical sciences and technology. But “liberal arts” used to be applied to all the skills that would enable a person to act as a responsible citizen In that sense, when […]
Nikkei Place Foundation Sakura Gala Keynote Address
Pan Pacific Hotel, Vancouver Thank you, George for that warm introduction. Honoured to be here. Consul General Okai, Mr. Wakabayashi, distinguished guests. Would like to thank the Nikkei Place Foundation for inviting me to the annual Sakura Gala which raises funds for the Feels Like Home campaign Proceeds from tonight will help the Foundation create […]
Statement in response to U.S. executive order
The University of British Columbia is deeply concerned about a new executive order signed by President Trump on Friday preventing individuals from seven countries from entering the U.S. for 90 days. We are especially concerned about the effect of the executive order on some UBC students, faculty and staff, as well as other scholars in Canada, […]
An innovative start to the Year of the Rooster
Yesterday, I was honoured to be named British Columbia’s first Chief Advisor: Innovation Network, and to be appointed to the Premier’s Technology Council. The announcement was made at DarkVision Technologies in North Vancouver, a terrific example of a BC-born, innovation-driven company. As Chief Advisor, I will work with leaders in industry and post-secondary education and research to transform […]
Statement on Appointment as Chief Advisor for the BC Innovation Network
Thank you, Premier Clark. Good morning everyone. I’m delighted to be here today at DarkVision Technologies, a terrific example of a BC-born, innovation-driven company. The products being developed here may well change the operations of oil and gas companies around the world. I’m also proud to be standing here with Stephen who just happens to […]
Welcome Weihong Song and Julie Wagemakers
I’m pleased to announce two new appointments, Dr. Weihong Song as Senior Advisor to the President on China, and Julie Wagemakers as Executive Director, Office of the President. Dr. Weihong Song is the Tier 1 Canada Research Chair in Alzheimer’s Disease and Jack Brown and Family Professor in the Department of Psychiatry. He serves as […]
Dr. Martha C. Piper’s statement on the attacks in France & Lebanon
To All Members of the UBC Community: Yesterday we witnessed another in the series of bombings, shootings, and mutilations that have recently targeted people around the world for their values and beliefs. The killings in Paris were especially terrible in the toll they took of young people who were gunned down at six different sites […]
Joint statement from UBC and UBC Faculty Association
Aug. 25, 2015 After collegial and congenial discussions, today the University of British Columbia, represented by Acting President Angela Redish, and the UBC Faculty Association, represented by President Mark MacLean, have agreed to a process to review the concerns raised by the Faculty Association in their letter of August 18, 2015. The parties have agreed […]
Letter to the Community re: Budget
With the 2014-15 UBC budget now approved by the Board of Governors, I wanted to provide my annual update on the financial context and outlook of the University.
A case for the Jim Flaherty excellence in research fund
Globe and Mail Op-Ed
Canada’s former Finance Minister was a champion of university research
It is with deep sadness that I heard earlier today of the Hon. Jim Flaherty’s untimely death, a death all the more tragic for coming so close on the heels of retirement from his distinguished career in public service.
Universities in an Era of ‘Non-Lieux’
In an era of ‘non-places’ how can universities become more distinctive from each other to allow for the intellectual diversity needed for healthy social, cultural and economic innovation?
Federal International Education Strategy Signals a Commitment to Improve Canada’s Higher Education Status Globally
Federal Government strategy aims to double the number of foreign students and researchers at Canadian universities by 2020.
UBC Hosts Lecture “The Global Talent Hunt: Are We Playing to Win?”
Friday, January 10, 2014 4:30 p.m (PST) UBC Robson Square Theatre. Public Policy Forum Lecture Series: Kevin Lynch, Vice-Chair, BMO Financial Group.
Feedback wanted for sport excellence criteria
UBC Athletics sport review seeks input by Dec. 1.