June 2022
Welcome Welcome to the June 2022 issue of Letter to the Board, a regular communication to members of the UBC community. Highlights Peter A. Allard, QC, 1946 – 2022 Welcome Arig al Shaibah Thanks to our Donors and Alumni New UBC Vancouver student residences opens with gifted names from Musqueam Province invests $50m in […]
Let’s Talk About Mental Health
Mental illness affects every one of us, either directly or through those we love. And it affects people of all ages and walks of life, including members of the UBC community. Suicide is the second leading cause of death in Canada for those between the ages of 15 and 24, and the second leading cause […]
Holiday Reflections: Honouring our commitments
The holiday season is a good time to reflect back on the year that has gone and to look forward to the year ahead. Looking back, the past year has seen a number of significant accomplishments, most notably the endorsement of the new UBC strategic plan, Shaping UBC’s Next Century. Other milestones included the opening […]
Welcome to UBC!
Welcome to UBC! You’re joining a special community – a community of 65,000 students – students like you, who come from more than 150 countries to study at one of the top universities in the world. You’re starting on an exciting period in your lives. You will meet new friends, discover new interests. Maybe, […]
Well-being: Giving the next generation the support they need to thrive
Council of Ministers of Education, Convention Centre, Vancouver BC Thank you, Minister Mark. I would like to acknowledge some of the other post-secondary education leaders from across B.C. in the room today, including Kathy Kinloch from BCIT and Ken Tourand from the Nicola Valley Institute of Technology. I would also like to acknowledge Karen Ranalleta, […]
Government Investment in Research and Innovation – will it pay off?
MP Breakfast Connections, Enigma Urban Eatery, Vancouver BC Thank you, Joyce, and good morning everybody! I am so happy to be here. Joyce, UBC values your support as our local MP. We also value the support we receive from your government for our research and teaching activities. As one of Canada’s leading research universities – […]
UBC: Proud to be a Pacific Rim university
Earlier this week, I took part in the annual presidents’ meeting of the Association of Pacific Rim Universities (APRU). The 50 member institutions are located in Australia, Canada, Chile, China, Indonesia, the United States and 10 other countries, and include some of the world’s most prestigious and influential universities. UBC is the only Canadian […]
Graduation: Sharing the Pride and Joy
This week marks the start of one of my favourite times of year at UBC: Graduation. It’s a special time on campus, as we honour the significant accomplishment students have achieved in their lives and the important contribution they have made to the university. I personally feel privileged to be a part of UBC Graduation […]
Introducing Innovation UBC
Innovation is a key theme woven throughout UBC’s new strategic plan. Along with collaboration and inclusion, it’s one of three cross-cutting priorities that will enhance our institutional impact in an increasingly complex and interconnected world. Truth is, innovation isn’t a new concept at UBC; we’ve been innovating for more than a century. One key form […]
Life is a marathon, not a sprint
Sending all students and faculty love during exams. A post shared by Santa J. Ono (@ubcprez) on Apr 10, 2018 at 9:28pm PDT The other morning while walking by the UBC Life building, I noticed a young woman sitting at a table, her books and laptop spread in front of her, fast asleep with her […]
Building a more inclusive campus community
Tomorrow is shaped by what we hear today. I love the sound of my cello. I can lose myself for hours, practicing just one small refrain. But playing alone – the sound of just one cello – doesn’t compare to the experience of playing in a trio or quartet. If we continue adding more players […]
Budget 2018: A clear recognition of the value of Canada’s science and research community
Earlier this week, the Government of Canada tabled a historic budget for research, responding to the views expressed by researchers across Canada and the recommendations made in the Fundamental Science Review. Budget 2018 highlights several key themes that align very well with UBC’s priorities – increasing opportunities for women in the economy, investing in the […]
Freedom of Expression Matters: Join the Conversation
As follow-up to my September 5th letter to the UBC community, I received a draft statement on freedom of expression from an internal working group convened by Professor Neil Guppy, Senior Advisor to the Provosts on Academic Freedom. The working group, comprising ten faculty and staff members, worked through several iterations of a statement. Input […]
Building a better Canada
As Canada’s 150th anniversary year draws to a close, this is a good time to reflect on this country, its history and its future. Canada has much to be proud of – our contributions to both global peacekeeping and defence against tyranny, the Charter of Rights and Freedoms, our welcoming of Syrian refugees, our scientific […]
Overcoming the stigma of mental illness
Recently I spoke at a TEDx event about the need to support young people struggling with mental health issues. To mark World Mental Health Day, I have decided to adapt my talk into a blog post. Please also see the joint Globe and Mail op-ed piece that University of Toronto Chancellor Michael Wilson and I wrote about […]
Supporting the dreamers
Dear friends: As we get caught up in the day to day activities of a busy September, it’s hard to believe that it was just two weeks ago that we welcomed thousands of new students to our campuses at UBC Create and UBC Imagine. They were joyous occasions. But there were some sobering moments, too. […]
Summer at UBC
I love summer at UBC. The sunshine, the luxuriant foliage, the mountains and the ocean, the historic buildings – it all reminds me how lucky I am to work at this amazing institution. Another thing I like about walking or cycling through the campus on my way to work at this time of year is […]
President’s Message to the UBC Community on Respectful Debate
As President, I have an unwavering commitment to the free, respectful expression of ideas and I trust that all members of our community, share this commitment. The University of British Columbia has a long legacy of commitment to respectful debate. UBC’s position on the free and lawful expression of ideas was powerfully articulated in President […]
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 […]
UBC welcomes government initiatives re technology education capacity and Robson Square district
The University of British Columbia welcomes two important initiatives announced today by the provincial government. The government announced today a 250-graduate increase to UBC’s technology education capacity and a planned public consultation process to chart a course for a more vibrant, innovative and connected Robson Square district. Today’s announcement means UBC will be able to graduate […]
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.
Safety update for UBC’s Vancouver campus
A new safety portal with a message from Louise Cowin, VP Students.
Statement regarding Sept. 29 attacks at the Yobe State College of Agriculture in Nigeria
I want to express my profound dismay in hearing of the unconscionable attack at the Yobe State College of Agriculture.
Statement on the two Canadians detained in Egypt
I want to express my deepest concern to learn that John Greyson and Tarek Loubani remain in custody in Cairo, Egypt.
Measures Announced to Address the C.U.S. FROSH Events
We are announcing today the measures we are taking.
Update on UBC Action in Response to the C.U.S. FROSH Events
Our university has been in the news since Friday September 6th, and for all the wrong reasons.
Measures announced to address CUS FROSH event
UBC is announcing three immediate measures to address problems that surfaced during FROSH events.
Announcing the Formation of the UBC China Council
The University of British Columbia is pleased to announce the establishment of the UBC China Council.
September 11 Vancouver Board of Trade Address
In my final address to The Vancouver Board of Trade, I will map my vision for innovation at UBC, and invite business leaders to see UBC as a key partner in the evolution of an innovation ecosystem in this province.
Join the Conversation – Town Hall 2013
Join me on Thursday, September 12 in Vancouver and Monday, September 16 in the Okanagan for the 2013 President’s Town Hall or submit your questions to me online.
To: All UBC Students, Faculty and Staff
I will be stepping down as President and Vice-Chancellor of the University of British Columbia at the end of June 2014, after serving for eight years in what has been an inspiring and rewarding position.
Flexible Learning at UBC
Four factors are rapidly taking us beyond the tipping point for major change in postsecondary education.
Op/Ed: Rapid Transit for UBC-Broadway Corridor Key to Economic Success
My opinion piece for the Vancouver Sun with Mayor Gregor Robertson
UBC designated as primary international academic partner of Chongqing, China
A successful official visit to Chongqing, China has helped to solidify future partnerships and collaboration between the city of Chongqing and UBC.