University of British Columbia President Martha Piper will visit
Victoria Feb. 12 to consult with the community about the direction
the university should take in the 21st century. The visit is part
of a vision process for UBC which seeks to redefine the nature of
the university’s research and learning environment.
Part of a broader community consultation, the process will also
include stops in Prince George, Kelowna and Kamloops. On this tour,
Piper will meet with representatives of the provincial and municipal
governments, the presidents of post-secondary institutions, business
leaders, high school students and UBC alumni.
UBC has also formed a Community Advisory Council with representatives
from government, business, labour and cultural groups to provide
input as it develops a new vision for the university.
Students, faculty and staff at the university are already involved
in the visioning process.
“We have a responsibility to plan for the future — to be bold,
to be visionary — and in this planning process we must be willing
to reach out to the community we serve to invite advice and guidance
from all quarters. UBC has much to offer the communities it serves,
and as British Columbia’s pre-eminent research university, it is
uniquely positioned to meet the needs of our society,” Piper said.
UBC is redefining its mission in light of societal changes such
as increasing globalization, the rapid expansion of information
technology and the growing integration of academic fields of study.
As well, the university is seeking to re-examine the purpose of
undergraduate education. It is especially looking for ways to combine
its research activities with undergraduate education.
The campus and external consultations will result in a short “green
paper.” This will serve as the basis of further discussion of the
issues the university must address in its long-term pursuit of excellence
in teaching and research.
The campus and community consultations will culminate in the creation
of a vision statement for UBC which will go to the university Senate
and Board of Governors for approval in September and October.
Additional information about UBC’s vision process can be found
on the Web at www.vision.ubc.ca.
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