Updates, news and stories

Dr. William Valley awarded 2024 West Coast Teaching Excellence Award

In recognition of his excellence in teaching and his commitment to the principles of equity, inclusion, and decolonization, Dr. William (Will) Valley is the recipient of one of this year's West Coast Teaching Excellence Awards. Through this award, the British Columbia Teaching and Learning Council celebrates excellence in teaching in publicly funded colleges, institutes, and universities in British Columbia and Yukon.

Campus update on downtown Kelowna

Call for volunteers to support UBC Spring graduation ceremonies

UBC’s Spring 2024 graduation ceremonies will take place on the Vancouver campus from May 22-30 and on the Okanagan campus from June 6-7 with more than 12,000 students celebrating this important milestone.Get involved by volunteering to support the event. As a volunteer, you will play an instrumental role in making the experience memorable for everyone.A number of volunteering opportunities are available for faculty and staff during the graduation ceremonies on both campuses and at the Alumni Welcome Receptions at the Robert H. Lee Alumni Centre.

Research in focus: Grace Fan

Grace is an assistant professor with the Faculty of Management at UBC Okanagan. Learn more about what inspired her to pursue her research and why she hopes it ignites passion in others to learn from Indigenous peoples.

New gravitational wave signal helps fill the ‘mass gap’ between neutron stars and black holes

A collaboration of researchers including UBC scientists have observed gravitational waves from the collision of what is most likely a neutron star and an object likely to be a light black hole, 650 million light-years from Earth.The mass of the black hole is 2.5 to 4.5 times the mass of Earth’s sun, meaning it falls in the so-called ‘mass gap’: heavier than heaviest known and theorized neutron stars but lighter than the lightest black holes in our galaxy.

Where the wild bees are—and aren’t—impacts food supply

UBC announces 2024 honorary degree recipients

Get active by participating in the Faculty & Staff Sports Day

The Faculty and Staff Sports Day will take place on May 3 on the Vancouver and Okanagan campuses. Get ready to register your team of 4-6 participants (creative team names are encouraged) and compete in a wide range of activities suitable for varying levels of experience, fitness and ability.You can get involved in a number of ways:

Learn more about the Indian Residential School History and Dialogue Centre and its forthcoming Open House

The Indian Residential School History and Dialogue Centre (IRSHDC) is opening its doors to the UBC Vancouver community on April 15 to highlight its important role as a shared space that encourages dialogue about the Residential School system and the on-going impacts of colonialism in Canada. 

Professor Janice L. Stewart appointed Deputy Provost at UBC Vancouver

It is my pleasure to announce that Professor Janice L. Stewart has been appointed as Deputy Provost for a five-year term, starting May 15, 2024.As Deputy Provost, Professor Stewart will focus on providing strategic leadership and oversight for academic affairs, faculty recruitment and retention, and ongoing faculty relations matters. They will also support the Provost and Vice-President, Academic, UBC Vancouver, in the realization of the university’s strategic academic aspirations.

Robert Janke appointed Deputy University Librarian, Okanagan Campus

UBC Board of Governors approves balanced operating budget for 2024/25

UBC is reporting a healthy financial position as part of its 2024/25 budget, approved by the Board of Governors this week.