Update on Systemic Bias and Anti-Racism in Higher Education Sessions
Last week, our senior leadership team attended a series of learning and dialogue activities on Systemic Bias and Anti-Racism in Higher Education. I invited Professor Malinda Smith, recently appointed the Vice Provost, Equity, Diversity & Inclusion at the University of Calgary, and my EDI team (Dr. Sara-Jane Finlay, Dr. Minelle Mahtani, and Dr. Sheryl Lightfoot), […]
Statement from Professor Ono on UBC’s commitment to Indigenous people and communities
On behalf of the University of British Columbia, I want to extend my condolences to the family of Colten Boushie. I also acknowledge that the events surrounding the trial and verdict have caused considerable distress for many Indigenous people, including our faculty, staff and students, and many others. At the University of British Columbia, we […]
Lunar New Year 2018
Robert H. Lee Alumni Centre Thank you everyone, and thank you especially to Iggy Chong. We are so lucky at UBC to have alumni – and friends – like Iggy, who works so hard on our behalf as Chair of our Hong Kong Alumni UBC Leadership Council. And now, as if we needed further proof […]
Prof. Anne Gorsuch, Deputy to the President: University Affairs.
Prof. Anne Gorsuch serves as Deputy to the President: University Affairs. She provides high-level strategic support and advice for the President, working closely with other senior administrators, deans, faculty, and students to support the development and implementation of academic strategy. She also facilitates communication between UBC Faculties, Departments and the President’s Office. Prof. Gorsuch is committed to […]
Thank you to VP Finance Search Committee
On behalf of the Board of Governors and the UBC community, I would like to thank the members of our Search Committee for the Vice President of Finance role. The committee has completed a rigorous recruitment and selection process for this vitally important role. Here are the members: • Joaquin Acevedo, UBC Student (Vancouver) • […]
New scholarship would strengthen Canada
UBC President Arvind Gupta proposes a national exchange program as a way to reinforce Canadian identity in a submission to The Globe and Mail.
Prof. Stephen Toope receives top honour from United Way
UBC President Professor Stephen Toope was presented with the United Way President’s Award of Distinction at the 2014 Scotiabank and United Way Community Spirit Awards.
W.G. Sebald, Austerlitz (Vintage Canada, 2001)
A world masterpiece, in my view. Sebald was a German academic who spent most of his career in the United Kingdom, where he grew tired of the rigidities of scholarly writing and turned himself into one of the most innovative “creative” writers in the English language. Austerlitz contains strong narrative flow but is also part […]
UBC Sports Review
Today I want to announce several new steps we are taking in response to feedback on the sport review, to confirm how vital this review is to the future of UBC Athletics and why, and to set the record straight on several fronts.
International education… starts at home
Click here to read the speech I gave today to close the Canadian Bureau for International Education 2013 Conference.
Department of Athletics and Recreation Review
I would like to clarify misinformation that is being circulated regarding the future of UBC’s sports teams.
Attacks at UBC’s Vancouver campus
Today UBC joined the RCMP for a press conference that revealed new, disturbing information about the spate of sexual assaults on our Vancouver campus.
Connected by Commitment 2012-2013 Annual Report
Data meets deity. What is the data behind our feelings about religion? Find out in the Annual Report.
UBC Okanagan’s Hangar centre takes health and fitness to new heights
I was thrilled to participate in the official opening of the newest building at the UBC Okanagan campus — a fitness and wellness centre that meets a tremendous need for the university community. The $4.1-million Hangar Fitness & Wellness Centre will provide space to serve the fitness needs of more than 8,000 students, and over […]
2013 Spring Congregation and Convocation Speech
Congratulations to the graduating class of 2013. Read my convocation and congregation speech here.
Innovative Partnership Powers Living Lab Initiative
I had the pleasure today to announce that the University of British Columbia has entered into a new and innovative partnership with Alpha Technologies and Corvus Energy.
Address to the Vancouver Board of Trade
Prof. Toope urges increased investment in B.C. postsecondary education
Update: UBC responds to Rumana Monzur attack
Following on my message of June 15, 2011, I am writing with further news about our student Ms Rumana Monzur. The most recent news about Ms Monzur’s health is distressing. Ms Monzur’s eye injuries have been assessed at two top flight facilities in India. Doctors at Sankara Nethralaya in Chennai and at the Aravind Eye […]
Message to the Community from the UBC President
I am writing with deep sadness to share with you the news of the brutal attack on our graduate student Ms Rumana Monzur in Dhaka, Bangladesh. Ms Monzur is completing a Master’s degree in Political Science at our Vancouver campus. She returned home to visit her family and friends, as well as her colleagues at […]
2011 President’s Service Awards for Excellence
Nominations are invited for the 2011 President’s Service Award for Excellence
What is the President reading?
An avid reader, Stephen Toope created a list of the books he is currently enjoying. With an update provided every few months, Professor Toope invites you to review his current and past selections. Please visit the What is the President Reading? section on this website to find the list of titles.
Lunar new year luncheon 2011
On 18 January Professor Toope joined members of the UBC community for the annual Lunar New Year Luncheon.
UBC’s president announces a new entrance scholarship
UBC celebrates the fifth anniversary of the Asia Pacific Regional Office in Hong Kong and its expanded efforts in the region with a new scholarship.
Modern Green-UBC strategic partnership
Modern Green has entered into a strategic partnership with UBC and the Centre for Interactive Research on Sustainability (CIRS).
UBC and The Nippon Foundation launch $13 million research program
On 6 December UBC and The Nippon Foundation launched a nine-year research program focused on the world’s oceans.
Recent Inside Higher Ed opinion editoral by Professor Toope
Prof. Toope’s recent opinion editorial on global challenges and organizational-ethical dilemmas of universities appeared in Inside Higher Ed on 5 December 2010. The op/ed is archived under Speeches and Op/Eds on the President’s website.
UBC applauds decision to extend infrastructure deadline
The Prime Minister announced today the decision to extend the deadline for completion of federally funded infrastructure projects.
Celebrating Achievement: The Blue and Gold Review 2010
UBC President Stephen Toope hosted the 4th annual Celebrating Achievement: The Blue and Gold Review on 29 November 2010
President’s Letter to Maclean’s Magazine
Professor Toope’s letter to the editor of Maclean’s magazine, in response to the recent article titled, ‘Too Asian’?
David C. Lam
Statement from President Professor Stephen J. Toope on the death of David C. Lam
President’s Letters to the University Community
Professor Stephen Toope issued two letters to the UBC community on 25 November 2010.
UBC-IIT Delhi Agreement Renewed
Professor Toope renewed a longstanding student mobility agreement between UBC and IIT Delhi.
FICCI Higher Education Summit Address
Professor Stephen Toope addressed the Higher Education Summit on 11 November 2010.
2010 Fall Congregation
Members of the UBC Vancouver campus and guest are currently celebrating Fall Congregation.
UBC, Max Planck Society Formalize Partnership
The University of British Columbia recently forged a formal partnership with the Max Planck Society.
Renewed Mobility Agreement for HKU and UBC
Professor Tsui and Professor Toope signed a renewed mobility agreement between the two institutions.
University rankings key tool in recruiting foreign students
The strong reputation and global relevance of Canadian universities continues to make UBC a clear choice for international students.
2010 President's Town Hall Meetings
The 2010 Town Hall meetings were recently held at the Vancouver and Okanagan campuses
Professor Toope is Co-Chair of the 2010 United Way of the Lower Mainland Campaign
The United Way of the Lower Mainland Campaign Cabinet for 2010 will be Co-Chaired by Stephen Toope and Kevin Layden.
2010 UBC United Way Campaign Kick-Off
The UBC United Way 2010 Campaign Kick-Off Breakfast took place on Monday 20 September.
2010 President's Staff Awards Presented
The President’s Staff Awards were presented to seven members of the UBC Vancouver campus community on 21 September.
2010 address to the Vancouver Board of Trade
Professor Toope addressed the Vancouver Board of Trade on the topic of helping BC companies enter the global market.
TES article features comments by Professor Toope
An 11 September 2010 article in Times Higher Education features comments by Professor Toope.
Don’t swallow these innovation nostrums
Canada’s economy continues to outperform those of its G8 partners, despite reports that warned of its innovation gaps and lagging productivity.
Minister Clement visits UBC for a roundtable on innovation and commercialization
Professor Toope recently chaired a Roundtable on Innovation and Commercialization.
O Canada
Stephen Toope and Neil Gross wrote an opinion editiorial on Prime Minister Stephen Harper’s appointment of David Johnston, an academic, to be Canada’s next governor general. Titled O Canada, it originally appeared in Inside Higher Ed.
President's 2010 Campus Town Hall Events
The UBC community is invited to attend a UBC Town Hall Event. For locations and times in Kelowna and Vancouver, please refer to the Town Hall Event section of this website. This information will also be available under the Latest Information – Heads Up Group section.
APRU 14th Annual Presidents Meeting
Professor Toope addressed the APRU 14th Annual Presidents Meeting on 1 July 2010.
Heads Up Meeting: June 15, 2010
Professor Stephen Toope addressed the June 15, 2010 meeting of the HEADS UP group.
UBC President's spring 2010 address to graduates
The University of British Columbia’s Vancouver and Okanagan campuses concluded Spring 2010 graduation ceremonies on Friday, June 11, 2010. Please see Professor Toope’s 2010 Spring Congregation address, which is also archived under Speeches on this web site.
UBC Board re-appoints Toope to second term
The Board of Governors of The University of British Columbia has reappointed Professor Stephen J. Toope to a second term of five years as President and Vice-Chancellor. For further details, please visit the Public Affairs website.
UBC’s Okanagan campus to double in size
The University of British Columbia’s Okanagan campus will soon double its land area, as the UBC Board of Governors today approved the $8.78-million purchase of 103.6 ha. (256 acres) of North Glenmore farmland from the City of Kelowna. Please refer to the press release for further details.
2010 Spring Congregation
The UBC Vancouver campus is currently celebrating its 2010 Spring Congregation. For more details, please see the Congregation schedule.
Proposed Provincial Legislation Announced (Bill 20)
On April 29th, the Government of B.C. introduced legislation that will positively impact UBC’s Vancouver campus. May 13, 2010 President’s Statement on UBC Farm and Bill 20 To respond directly to those who have raised concerns that legislation moving land use control from the Metro Vancouver regional government to the Province will imperil the UBC […]
United Way of the Lower Mainland
Professor Toope assumed the Cabinet Campaign co-chair role for 2010.
G8 University Summit
Professor Stephen Toope, with Dr. Indiria Samarasekara from the University of Alberta, co-hosted the Summit attended by university representation from the G8 and G20 countries, resulting in a Statement of Action.
President’s Statement on UBC Farm and Bill 20
To respond directly to those who have raised concerns that legislation moving land use control from the Metro Vancouver regional government to the Province will imperil the UBC Farm, I must be crystal clear that the opposite is in fact the case.
UBC’s Economic Impact
Professor Toope spoke at the September 29, 2009 Vancouver Board of Trade meeting about UBC’s $10 billion economic impact. To review his comments, see his speech and the study upon which it is based.
UBC and the Global Financial Turmoil
Read the messages updating the UBC community on this. 23 March 2009 11 February 2009 15 December 2008 26 November 2008
Respectful Debate
UBC President and Vice Chancellor Prof. Stephen Toope addresses the university community in a March 3 letter (PDF).
Amid Austerity, a Boost for Higher Education
The 2010 budget of the Government of Canada has struck a difficult balance in difficult times.
UBC’s Balanced Budgets for 2010‐11
UBC’s Vancouver and Okanagan campuses should enter fiscal 2010-11 with balanced operating budgets.
President’s Message on Haiti
UBC responds to the earthquake in Haiti with the Help Heal Haiti fundraiser on 22 January 2010.