Graduation Address: “This day is about you and what you’ve achieved”
Honoured guests, members of the Board of Governors and Senate, faculty, staff, alumni… and, most especially, graduands, family and friends. Welcome! What an honour it is for me be with you today to celebrate UBC’s graduating Class of 2017! I can tell you that this is one of the best parts of my job, to […]
Thriving at UBC: Encouraging healthy minds on healthy campuses
Minister Wilkinson, distinguished guests: I am honoured by the opportunity to speak to you today about mental health and how UBC is encouraging healthy minds on healthy campuses, an issue I am personally involved in, as I will explain in a minute. First I am glad CMHA BC is considering endorsing the Okanagan Charter: An International […]
We cannot change the past, but we can honestly recognize it
This past weekend, I was honoured and humbled to participate in the raising of Reconciliation Pole at UBC’s Vancouver campus. It was gratifying to see so many people turn out for this important occasion and to hear from residential school survivors such as Elder Barney Williams and Pauline Jones (below left), who spoke with courage and candour of the […]
Remarks for Reconciliation Pole Installation: We cannot change the past but we can honestly embrace it
I begin by acknowledging all the Elders, Chiefs, and Matriarchs, distinguished and honoured guests, and by welcoming all of you, our many friends and family. We are so honoured to have you with us. Thank you for your work, your leadership and support, and for joining us today. I am thrilled to be with you, […]
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 […]
British Columbia 51st Leadership Prayer Breakfast
Good morning to all of you. Thank you, Glen, for that wonderful introduction. I want to thank and salute every one of you for what you do to make Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, and the world a better place. In many ways, I think Canada is a beacon for democracy and justice in the world […]
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 […]
University Governance in the 21st Century
Keynote Address: University Governance in the 21st Century Confederation of University Faculty Associations of BC Friday, March 3, 2017SFU Harbour Centre, Vancouver Thank you Honoured to be here. Delighted to see so many engaged faculty members as well as other university community members here Grateful for opportunity to speak about university governance and UBC in particular […]
Keynote Address to the WestVAC and WestVPR Conference
Keynote Address to the WestVAC and WestVPR Conference 2017 March 2, 2017, Inn at Laurel Point, Victoria BC Thank you Very pleased to be here and to meet research and academic leaders from Western Canada Your sessions today and tomorrow are ones that interest me keenly Unfortunately, due to previous commitment I have to leave […]
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 […]