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 of Science in Math in May, 2010 and a Bachelor of Education in November, 2018.
Dr. Mehran Abtahi also died. He joined UBC in October of last year as a postdoctoral research fellow in the department of civil engineering.
Their deaths are in addition to those confirmed yesterday of Zeynab Asadi Lari and Mohammadhossein Asadi Lari. Zeynab enrolled at UBC in 2016 in the BSc program, with a biology major. Mohammadhossein graduated in 2018 with a BSc in cellular, anatomical and physiological sciences with honours standing.
As we collectively mourn the loss of all of those who perished aboard flight 752, I wish to once again, on behalf of the university, express my deepest condolences to the families, friends and loved ones of our community members.
Support services are in place for those who need help during this very difficult time, including International Student Advisors who work closely with our international students.
Details of supports available for students can be found here:
UBC Vancouver
UBC Okanagan
Details of supports for faculty and staff on campus can be found at http://www.hr.ubc.ca/wellbeing-benefits/benefits/details/employee-family-assistance-program/
Santa J. Ono
President and Vice-Chancellor