25-Year Vision Summary of Themes

Through the engagement process, 16 core themes emerged that outline the aspirations for UBC in 2050. These themes reflect a broad, collective vision that will guide UBC’s evolution over the next 25 years, grounded in the values and concerns of the UBC community.

On this page:

Advancing Inclusion

Participants envision UBC in 25 years as a safe, accessible, inclusive, and equitable institution that celebrates diverse perspectives and fosters open dialogue and critical inquiry. They emphasize the importance of upholding principles of human rights, academic freedom, and respectful engagement, while embedding equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) into teaching, research, leadership, and operations to reflect the diversity of its communities. Participants imagine UBC as a welcoming environment that values diverse perspectives, supports representative and interdisciplinary spaces, and integrates diverse worldviews, non-Western perspectives, and inclusive teaching methods into curricula to advance social justice and equity. They see UBC as a global leader in social equity, Indigenous knowledge, social justice, and accessibility, with leadership that reflects the diversity of its community and prioritizes lived experiences, particularly from members of historically, persistently, and systemically marginalized (HPSM) groups. They envision a truly inclusive UBC, where physical, virtual, and systemic accessibility is embedded into campus life. Participants stress the need for robust and permanent support systems to ensure individuals with disabilities can fully participate without the burden of requesting accommodations. 

Advancing Reconciliation and Decolonization

Participants envision UBC in 25 years as a global leader in reconciliation, decolonization, and Indigenous sovereignty, fostering long-term partnerships with Indigenous communities, particularly Musqueam and Syilx Okanagan Nations. They see UBC advancing decolonization by integrating Indigenous knowledge, culture, and sustainability into teaching, learning, and research. Participants envision UBC being recognized for incorporating Indigenous content across disciplines, including land-based programs. Building reciprocal partnerships with Musqueam and Syilx Okanagan Nation is seen as crucial, with a focus on collaborative research and education that respects Indigenous territories and priorities. Participants envision UBC attracting and retaining Indigenous students, faculty, and staff, while supporting Indigenous-led research and teaching aligned with Indigenous community leadership. 

Building Recognition and Reputation

Participants envision UBC in 25 years as a globally recognized leader in higher education, celebrated for its innovation, diverse academic programming, cutting-edge research, and strong connections to local, global, and Indigenous communities. They see UBC as the university of choice, known for its unique identity and interdisciplinary approach, with a strong emphasis on amplifying the value of higher education and regaining public trust as a reliable source of knowledge. Participants highlight UBC’s commitment to offering meaningful, value-driven education that addresses pressing societal challenges while being recognized for its world-class research and teaching. They imagine it as a transformative learning environment that fosters innovation and drives positive societal impact. Additionally, participants envision UBC expanding its global brand by leveraging its geographic and cultural strengths, with a particular emphasis on its leadership in climate action, health, and technology. 

Creating a Digital Future

Participants envision UBC in 25 years as an internationally recognized leader in technology innovation, with artificial intelligence and other technologies integrated across teaching, research, and operations. They emphasize the importance of prioritizing ethical AI applications, focusing on safety, fairness, and inclusivity, while preparing students and faculty for AI’s evolving roles. Participants stress the need to address issues such as risk, data governance, and regulatory considerations to build trust within the community. They also highlight the importance of incorporating humanities perspectives to understand the social, cultural, and ethical implications of emerging technologies, alongside the growing significance of human creativity, critical thinking, and the arts in balancing technological advancement with ethical values and community-building. Participants call for UBC to position itself as a leader in AI through a well-developed strategy, funding streams, and governance structures. They also envision UBC building a global reputation in digital innovation, using technologies like AI, virtual reality, and hybrid learning to enhance research, teaching, and accessibility. There is a strong call for UBC to translate AI innovations into industry applications, with an increased focus on digital literacy through specialized curricula and training.  

Defining and Supporting UBC’s Two Main Campuses

Participants envision UBC in 25 years as an integrated system with two distinct yet complementary main campuses—Vancouver and Okanagan—each celebrated for their unique strengths and identities. They emphasize collaboration between the campuses through shared research, academic programs, and institutional initiatives. Participants express a strong desire for a clear vision that recognizes the distinct strengths and localized advantages of UBC Vancouver and UBC Okanagan. They emphasize the value of creating seamless pathways for students to study across campuses, enhancing opportunities for collaborative research and learning opportunities. There is support for developing research and academic program specializations tailored to each campus, leveraging their strengths, geographical attributes, and local community needs, and for reducing duplicated administrative efforts to maximize resources.  

Engaging and Partnering for Impact

Participants envision UBC in 25 years as a globally and nationally connected institution, renowned for impactful research and partnerships with other post-secondary institutions and diverse communities. They emphasize the importance of fostering reciprocal partnerships and community-driven solutions to address social, environmental, and economic challenges. Participants highlight UBC’s role in driving research and teaching that tackles societal issues, such as climate change, inequality, and inequity, with a focus on evidence-based solutions and societal impact.  They view alumni engagement as a key element, with alumni serving as mentors, ambassadors, and collaborators to enhance career opportunities and community engagement. Additionally, participants see UBC partnering with industry and government to foster innovation and address societal challenges through ethical collaborations. 

Enhancing Financial Support and Sustainability

Participants envision UBC in 25 years as an institution with a sustainable budget model that prioritizes teaching, learning, and research while addressing affordability for students, faculty, and staff. They emphasize the need for innovative funding models and diversified revenue sources to ensure robust financial support for graduate students, early-career researchers, and core academic capacities. Participants highlight the need for UBC to prioritize equitable funding allocations, ensuring that resources are strategically distributed to foster long-term academic and research excellence. Additionally, there is a call to prioritize financial sustainability through cost efficiencies, without sacrificing the quality of education or research output. Participants also envision UBC being recognized for its ethical investments, particularly those promoting global justice, decolonization, and peace. 

Enhancing Student Experience and Success

Participants envision UBC in 25 years as a vibrant, student-centered institution where diverse student voices play a key role in shaping its future. They see UBC empowering students with leadership opportunities and autonomy, fostering an inclusive environment focused on academic and personal development. Expanded access to student support programs, increased student engagement, and robust support systems are essential to this vision, ensuring all students are well-supported in their learning experiences. Participants highlight the importance of comprehensive student services, equitable access to resources, and personalized learning experiences that meet the unique needs of students. Additionally, they emphasize creating more opportunities for student involvement across faculties to support the holistic development of all students. 

Enhancing the Physical Campus Environment

In 25 years, participants envision UBC’s campuses as spaces that preserve natural and cultural elements while supporting sustainable infrastructure for learning, teaching, research, and community engagement. They highlight the importance of enhancing the campuses’ natural beauty with accessible green spaces, gardens, and walking trails, alongside improved sports and recreation amenities. A vibrant arts and cultural presence emerges as a key part of their vision, with participants emphasizing the need for more creative performances, increased art installations, stronger representation of Indigenous languages, and campus planning informed by Indigenous principles. They imagine dynamic and inclusive learning environments featuring state-of-the-art labs, diverse study areas, and interdisciplinary spaces to foster collaboration. Sustainable campus development is seen as essential, with participants stressing the need for campus growth that aligns with evolving technologies and the needs of a changing student population. They envisioned UBC campuses as “learning cities,” where the academic and campus community are seamlessly integrated into sustainable, smart campuses and living laboratories advancing innovative solutions to global challenges. 

Excelling in Research and Innovation

Participants envision UBC in 25 years as a global leader in research and innovation, with research excellence at the core of the university’s mission. They see UBC setting the highest standards of research excellence across disciplines and leveraging research activity to address complex global challenges, delivering real-world solutions that create meaningful societal impact.  

A key priority for participants is fostering knowledge translation to ensure research remains accessible and relevant to real-world needs. Participants envision UBC enhancing pathways to commercialization through cross-sector partnerships with industry, positioning the university as a hub for cutting-edge research and innovation benefiting industry, academia, and communities. They also see UBC expanding interdisciplinary research through geographically distributed centers of excellence, broadening its local, national, and international reach to amplify its impact.  

Participants foresee UBC being recognized as a global leader in ethical, innovative research, supported by state-of-the-art facilities and systems for collaboration and commercialization. They emphasize the importance of providing extensive student research opportunities, linking research to career development and removing barriers to participation. This vision includes increasing research opportunities within undergraduate learning and balancing on-campus and community-embedded research to build trust and relevance within local communities. 

Community-based research was seen as central to UBC’s future direction. Participants highlight the need to integrate these areas of research to address societal issues and contribute to positive change both locally and globally. 

Excelling in Teaching and Learning

Participants envision UBC in 25 years as a centre of excellence in teaching and learning, renowned for its innovative, interdisciplinary approach that fosters critical thinking and practical learning. They imagine UBC attracting diverse learners by offering flexible program experiences and modalities, including micro-credentials and stackable courses. Greater collaboration with industry and alumni is viewed as essential to developing and delivering future-focused academic programs that address global challenges and prepare students for a future-ready workforce.   

Flexible, multi-modal learning environments are seen as a key part of this vision, combining in-person, remote, and hybrid courses to expand access to a broader range of learners. Participants emphasize the role of digital futures, particularly the potential of artificial intelligence to enhance teaching and learning. Some advocate for all programs to include applied outcomes that equip students with transferable life skills and the ability to address complex societal challenges. Interdisciplinary, personalized, and experiential learning opportunities are prioritized, supported by flexible pathways that enable students to tailor their programs to their needs, interests, and career goals.  

Academic freedom, open dialogue, and the inclusion of diverse perspectives are seen as essential to fostering an environment where all voices are heard and encouraged. 

Leading in Environmental Sustainability and Climate Action

Participants envision UBC in 25 years as a global leader in environmental sustainability and climate action, recognized for its groundbreaking research, teaching, and innovative solutions to address the climate crisis and environmental challenges. They imagine sustainability deeply integrated into all aspects of learning, teaching, research, and operations, with a strong emphasis on green technologies, net-zero buildings, climate justice education, and environmental responsibility guiding campus decision-making. Participants emphasize the importance of equipping graduates to become climate leaders, prepared to tackle pressing environmental and social challenges on a global scale. They highlight a particular focus on Indigenization within sustainability education, envisioning UBC as a model for integrating Indigenous knowledge and perspectives into its approach to environmental responsibility and climate action.  

Positioning UBC for Transformation

Participants envision UBC in 25 years as a nimble and collaborative institution, fostering a culture of innovation and change while embracing flexibility to quickly adapt to emerging opportunities and societal needs. They emphasize the importance of adopting a transformative mindset, supported by increased investment in innovation and a greater appetite for risk. Participants also envision UBC rethinking governance, reducing bureaucratic barriers, and streamlining administrative processes. This vision includes supporting strategic pilot initiatives and collaborative partnerships to drive transformation, ensuring UBC remains adaptable and future-focused. Additionally, participants see UBC breaking down traditional faculty silos and encouraging greater interdisciplinary collaboration to address global challenges and create a seamless, integrated experience for all members of the community. 

Preparing Students for Life and Career

Participants envision UBC in 25 years as a hub for lifelong learning, offering flexible programs that support upskilling, re-entering education, and personal and professional development for learners of all ages. They emphasize that UBC will be known for producing graduates with practical skills, critical and creative thinking, and resilience to tackle global challenges. Participants highlight the importance of robust career education, guidance, and work-integrated learning experiences, such as co-op programs and local and international community partnerships, to support transitions to the workforce and integrate career readiness with both local and global exposure. They see UBC preparing graduates to be career-ready, creative leaders who contribute meaningfully to society, with clear career pathways, placement support, and life skills training, particularly for graduate and post-doctoral students. 

Redefining UBC’s Presence in BC and Beyond

Participants envision UBC in 25 years as having a strong presence across British Columbia, with distributed learning hubs and satellite campuses serving rural and underserved communities. They emphasize the importance of adopting a hybrid model that combines both virtual and physical spaces for education, alongside partnerships with local institutions to meet regional needs and enhance accessibility. Participants highlight the need for UBC to clarify its identity and purpose, balancing its local presence in BC with its broader global aspirations. Some strongly supported investing in the Surrey site, recognizing its potential to thrive with unique programming in fields like AI and healthcare. Additionally, participants see UBC a leading educational and research institution, both provincially and globally, expanding its physical and virtual presence to support access, address local community needs, and foster collaborations with other post-secondary institutions. They foresee UBC creating a globally distributed network with regional hubs, community partnerships, and technology-enabled learning and research collaborations. 

Supporting People and Community

In 25 years, participants envision UBC as a supportive and inclusive community that prioritizes the mental, physical, and emotional wellbeing of all members. They emphasize the importance of fostering holistic wellbeing and cultivating a culture of care, respect, and kindness, where students, faculty, and staff feel a strong sense of belonging within a larger community. They imagine a UBC that addresses systemic barriers such as transportation, food insecurity, and housing by providing efficient transit, affordable food options, sufficient on-campus housing, and accessible green spaces. UBC is envisioned as a global leader in accessible, affordable education, committed to financial equity and expanding educational and research opportunities for diverse populations. Participants also see UBC as a top employer in British Columbia, attracting and retaining exceptional talent by offering job security, equitable pay, hybrid work opportunities, and a supportive workplace culture. They emphasize the need for balanced workloads and greater recognition for faculty, while students imagine enhanced pathways to academic and social success.