UBC This Week

Recent UBC Media Releases

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Find out what else is happening at UBC this week. For sports events, visit the UBC Athletics site at http://www.gothunderbirds.ca/calendar.aspx.

UBC People


UBC People

UBC Human Resources releases annual metrics

UBC Human Resources has released the 2009/10 Focus on People Benchmark Report http://www.focusonpeople.ubc.ca/sharing-and-connecting/focus-on-people-benchmark-report/  and the Focus on People Annual Report http://www.focusonpeople.ubc.ca/annualreport

The Benchmark Report provides recruitment and retention indicators and is an important resource for those who work in human resources at the university. 

The Focus on People Annual Report features a collection of anecdotal stories that illustrate the university’s commitment to creating an outstanding workplace experience.

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Chan Centre announces appointment of co-managing directors

The Chan Centre for the Performing Arts at UBC announces a change in leadership effective immediately. Sid Katz, Managing Director, begins his transition to other roles at UBC following a one-year administrative leave of absence.  Long-time Chan Centre staff members Joyce Hinton and Cameron McGill take centre stage as Co-Managing Directors of the arts organization and award-winning facility.

Hinton and McGill are both original staff members hired during the opening of the Chan Centre in the mid-1990s.  They have most recently served as Associate Managing Directors of Programming and Administration and of Facilities and Operations respectively. They bring to their new roles combined expertise in the dual function of the Chan Centre as both an arts presenter and as a venue. This expertise, coupled with a strong commitment to uphold the current strategic plan as drafted in 2009 by Katz and the organization’s 22 full-time staff members, will permit a smooth leadership transition.

Katz came to the Chan Centre in 2002 succeeding the original Managing Director, Michael Noon, when he retired. Prior to leading the Chan Centre, Katz served as Executive Director of Science World British Columbia and the Director General and CEO of the Ontario Science Centre.

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UBC professor receives 2010 YWCA Women of Distinction Award

Prof. Janice Eng from the Dept. of Physical Therapy, is a recipient of the 2010 YWCA Vancouver Women of Distinction awards in the category of Health and Active Living. 

“I share the vision of the YWCA, who support physical activity across the lifespan,” Eng said in her acceptance speech at the event that included two faculty members and one alumna as nominees in other categories. 

UBC was also a nominee in the category of Innovative Workplace. 

For more information, visit http://www.ywcavan.org/content/About_the_2010_Women_of_Distinction_Recipients/1234/30/201.

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Applied Science faculty receive UBC’s highest teaching honour

Three members of the Faculty of Applied Science received UBC Killam Teaching Prizes during convocation ceremonies at the Chan Centre for Performing Arts: Catherine Ebbehoj, lecturer in the School of Nursing, Göran Fernlund, associate professor in the Dept. of Materials Engineering, and Peter Ostafichuk, senior instructor in the Dept. of Mechanical Engineering, each received UBC Killam Teaching Prizes.

The UBC Killam Teaching Prizes are awarded annually from the Killam Endowment Fund to faculty nominated by students, colleagues, and alumni in recognition of excellence in teaching.

For more information, visit www.apsc.ubc.ca/news/2010/jun1.html

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UBC receives $1.2 Million to develop microbial indicator of forest health

UBC researchers have received $1.2 million in funding from Genome BC and partner organizations to investigate the potential of using microbial ecosystems as a bellwether forest management tool.

“Climate change is bringing big new challenges for managing our forests so that future generations can enjoy them,” says Bill Mohn, a professor with the Dept. of Microbiology and Immunology and UBC’s Life Sciences Institute, who leads the project.

For more information, visit http://www.science.ubc.ca/news/428

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Computer science prof receives CAIMS prize

Computer science professor Uri Ascher received the Canadian Applied and Industry Mathematics Society (CAIMS) Research Prize.  Ascher is recognized for his research contributions to applied mathematics, scientific computation, and numerical analysis and their applications.

For more information, visit http://www.caims.ca/Awards/Rprize.html

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Master of Science student wins second place in national poster competition

Jamie Daw, a Master of Science student at the School of Population and Public Health, won second place and an $800 prize in the student poster competition at the Canadian Association for Health Services and Policy Research’s (CAHSPR) conference in Toronto in May.

Daw received the award for her poster, The adequacy of prenatal care utilization: distribution and predictors of inadequate care in British Columbia.

The annual competition recognizes the outstanding research efforts of up-and-coming health services and policy researchers.

For more information, visit http://www.spph.ubc.ca/?p2=modules/blog/viewcomments.jsp&bid=70.

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Ombuds office hosts Enhancing Student Support Services at UBC

On June 7, the UBC Ombuds office is hosting Enhancing Student Support Services at UBC, a free conference for staff, students and faculty in the UBC community who work directly with students in positions such as receptionists, front desk and information clerks, housekeeping and food service staff, housing and hospitality service staff and clerical staff members. The conference will focus on a theme of student mental health and well-being

This event is sponsored by the Offices of the Ombudsperson for Students at UBC, Academic VP and Provost and VP, Students.  

 Date: June 7
 Time:  8:30 – 5 p.m.
 Place: Irving K. Barber Learning Centre, 1961 East Mall
 Info: http://calendar.events.ubc.ca:80/cal/event/eventView.do?subid=29661&calPath=/public/Events+Calendar/Ombudsperson&guid=CAL-09d22401-28923c42-0128-9328d4ff-0000000bmyubc-team@interchange.ubc.ca&recurrenceId=

Register http://www.hse.ubc.ca/gosignmeupCBM/dev_students.asp?action=coursedetail&id=3625&main=Health+Promotion+Programs&sub1=Other&misc=407&courseinternalaccesscode=
Food provided.

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Nominations open for Okanagan staff awards

Nominations are still open for the Okanagan Staff Awards of Excellence and the DVC and Principal Award. The awards recognize staff members who demonstrate exceptional leadership, who go the extra mile to provide service, who excel at community engagement, or have made an impact in sustainability.

Also open for nomination is the new Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Principal Award, which recognizes a staff member who has made an exceptional contribution to the Okanagan campus and community at large.
 
Deadline for nominations is June 30.

To view the nomination criteria and form for the Okanagan Staff Awards of Excellence, visit http://web.ubc.ca/okanagan/facultystaff/current-staff/excellence.html
 
To view the nomination criteria and form for the Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Principal Award, visit http://web.ubc.ca/okanagan/facultystaff/current-staff/DVC_and_Principal_Award.html

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UBC profs speak at forum on B.C.’s ‘clean energy revolution’

Two UBC professors will be speaking at a forum entitled FutureGrid: BC’s Energy Options in a Changing Environment presented by The Pacific Institute for Climate Solutions (PICS). 

Prof. George Hoberg, Faculty of Forestry, will speak on the topic of “Under what conditions should B.C. become a major exporter of electricity?”  Orion Henderson, Director, Operational Sustainability, will speak on the topic of “The UBC experience: Challenges and opportunities with carbon neutrality.”

PICS is a collaboration of UBC, Simon Fraser University and the University of Northern British Columbia, hosted and led by the University of Victoria.

 Date: June 15-16
 Time: 7:30 – 9 p.m.
 Place: Morris J Wosk Centre for Dialogue, 580 West Hastings Street
 Info: www.pics.uvic.ca

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Arts professor directs new version of Molière’s The Misanthrope

Faculty of Arts professor C.W. Marshall is the director of a new theatre production of Molière’s The Misanthrope presented by United Players of Vancouver.  Playwright Tony Harrison was a visiting Green College Professor last year.

 Date: June 4 – 27
 Time: 8 p.m. Thursday-Sunday
 Place: Jericho Arts Centre, 1675 Discovery
 Info: Preview, June 3, all tickets $6
  Regular Tickets $12-$16, reservation 604.224.8007 ext. 2 or visit
  www.unitedplayers.com

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Architecture professor launches book

Chris MacDonald, professor and acting director of the School of Architecture and Landscape Architecture, has written A Guidebook to Contemporary Architecture in Vancouver.  A book launch will be held on June 8, 7 p.m. at the Charles H. Scott Gallery at Emily Carr University on Granville Island.

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New cIRcle site launched

 cIRcle, UBC’s digital repository, has a new look along with fresh features and functions.  Launched by UBC Library in 2007, cIRcle serves as an online storehouse for UBC’s scholarly and research output.

The new website http://circle.ubc.ca features a news carousel, quick facts and the Top Three cIRcle items (most frequently viewed). Functions include enhanced statistical information, audio-visual streaming, file conversion, an embargo feature, campus-wide login capability and usage reports.

Send questions and comments to ubc-circle@interchange.ubc.ca.

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Environmental leadership summer camp offered at UBC

An environmental leadership day camp is being offered for youth ages six to 16. Run by Friends Uniting for Nature (FUN) Society, the FUN Camps program teaches how to reduce ecological footprint and develop leadership skills.  Activities include: building and racing mini solar powered cars, baking brownies in solar ovens, creating a mini eco-city, planning social/environmental change projects, bike maintenance workshops, growing sprouts, gardening, exploring nature, outdoor games, sports, swimming, art, drama and hiking.

The camps run July 5 to Aug. 27 at UBC. For more information, visit  http://www.funcamps.ca.  To register, visit http://funcamps.ca/Vancouver_Register.html or email info@funcamps.ca.

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