UBC hosts gathering of international university presidents, students

UBC President Stephen Toope is chairing the U21 AGM and presidential symposium at UBC this week. (Photo: Martin Dee)

Presidents and students from universities around the world will be at the University of British Columbia May 8-10 to explore the impact of new technology on learning and research.

Part of the annual meeting and presidential symposium of Universitas 21 (U21), the four-day conference brings together leaders, senior administrators and students from 25 universities in 16 countries on five continents. U21 is a network of research universities for the 21^st century.

“The rapid development of information technology spells new challenges for us, but it also opens intriguing opportunities to better engage students and conduct research in a hyper-connected global community,” says UBC president Stephen Toope. “A forum like U21 allows member universities to discuss these emerging issues.”

For the first time, a concurrent U21 student symposium will take place May 7-8 with 45 students from U21 member universities. Delegates will present the assembled U21 presidents with a joint challenge on May 9 to advance higher learning.

The keynote address will be delivered by Dominic Barton, UBC alumnus and managing director of global business consultancy McKinsey & Co., on Thursday, May 9. Barton will share his insights on leadership and change.

For more information, visit http://ow.ly/kEQxp.

BACKGROUND | U21

About Universitas 21

Universitas 21 is the leading global network of research-intensive universities, working together to foster global citizenship and institutional innovation through research-inspired teaching and learning, student mobility, connecting our students and staff, and wider advocacy for internationalisation.

Collectively, its 24 members enrol over 1.3 million students and employ over 180,000 staff and faculty. Their collective budgets amount to over US$25bn and they have an annual research grant income of over US$6.5bn.

U21 member universities (by country):