The University of British Columbia Board of Governors has approved the appointment of David Farrar as Provost and Vice President, Academic.
“As the senior academic administrator overseeing UBC’s teaching mission, Dr. Farrar brings to UBC outstanding academic rigour and experience,” said UBC President Stephen J. Toope. “In his previous post as Vice-Provost, Students, and Deputy Provost at the University of Toronto, Dr. Farrar spearheaded initiatives that greatly enhanced the student learning experience.”
The Provost and Vice President, Academic is the senior vice-presidential position at UBC and provides overall academic leadership to the university. Deans of UBC Vancouver’s 12 faculties report to this position.
Farrar, a chemistry professor, succeeds Lorne Whitehead, an internationally respected physicist who serves UBC as Leader of Education Innovation, and Associate Vice President George Mackie, who has been filling the role since November 2006. “I want to thank George for his outstanding leadership during this time of transition,” Toope said.
“There is no questioning UBC’s commitment to enhancing the student learning experience — perhaps best exemplified by the Carl Wieman Science Education Initiative,” said Farrar of the new program to enhance undergraduate learning led by Nobel physicist Wieman. “UBC is also Canada’s leader in community service learning and I am thrilled to work more on this exciting frontier between scholarly pursuit and community engagement.”
Farrar received his PhD (1980) from the University of Western Ontario, and his MSc (1976) and BSc (1975) from the University of Toronto. Prior to his current U of T appointment in 2004, he had been Chair of the Dept. of Chemistry since 1999. He has received numerous research awards and generated five patents.
While at the U of T, Farrar led initiatives that enhanced communications between the university and its student body, promoted classroom- and community-based collaborative learning, and established effective tools to assess the student experience. He was also central to the management of Ontario’s “double-cohort” issues in 2003 when the province’s universities were challenged by an influx of students after the elimination of Grade 13.
“UBC has created a unique environment where students are encouraged and inspired to combine their academic work with engaging the local and global communities,” said Farrar. “It is the perfect foundation from which to build a truly rewarding university experience that integrates scholarship with personal and professional growth.”
Farrar’s appointment comes after a lengthy selection process involving a President’s Advisory Committee that included members of the UBC Board of Governors, Senate and student representation.
Farrar takes up his new duties Sept. 1.
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