University News

UBC Bioenergy Research & Demonstration Facility

Innovative UBC heat and power facility boosted by federal investment

A $20.4 million expansion of UBC’s innovative Bio-energy facility (BRDF) will receive up to $7.6 million in support from the federal government’s low-carbon economy fund.

Aug 19, 2019

Research carried out by Dr. Jane Buxton and her colleague Michael Irvine has found that, without access to harm reduction and treatment strategies such as take-home naloxone kits, the number of overdose deaths in this province would be 2.5 times as high. Credit: Paul Joseph/UBC

UBC researchers help find solutions to the overdose crisis

Every day at UBC, researchers are working to gain a deeper understanding of the factors driving the overdose crisis and to determine potential solutions.

Jul 30, 2019

UBC’s 2018-2019 Annual Report

You’re invited to read UBC’s 2018–2019 Annual Report, which communicates our progress over the past year and celebrates the achievements of faculty, staff, and others who are shaping UBC’s next century.

Jul 23, 2019

Behind the scenes with UBC’s gardeners

Every year, UBC’s campus erupts in bloom, from delicate cherry blossoms and magnificent magnolias to brightly coloured alliums and richly scented lilacs. It’s not just the work of Mother Nature that’s responsible for bringing the university landscape to life. A dedicated staff of 35 gardeners, arborists and horticulturists, divided into five crews, work year-round to maintain the university’s 172 hectares of varied landscapes.

Jul 23, 2019

New President of the Research Universities’ Council of British Columbia appointed

Santa J. Ono, chair of the Research Universities’ Council of British Columbia (RUCBC) and president and vice-chancellor of The University of British Columbia, is pleased to welcome Max Blouw, former president and vice-chancellor of Wilfrid Laurier University, as RUCBC’s new president.

Jul 16, 2019

UBC ranks among the top five per cent of universities in the world

The University of British Columbia is the 51st best university in the world, according to the 2020 QS World University Rankings (QS).

Jun 19, 2019

Free speech on campus

When the University of British Columbia rents out a venue for appearances by external speakers that some members of the community believe express controversial or inflammatory views, some students, faculty and staff in the UBC community are left scratching their heads and asking why.

Jun 9, 2019

UBC endorses Canada’s Dimensions: Equity, Diversity and Inclusion charter

The University of British Columbia has reaffirmed its strong commitment to enhancing equity, diversity and inclusion in research by endorsing the Government of Canada’s Dimensions charter.

May 29, 2019

Behind the scenes at UBC’s graduation ceremonies

It’s an event that dates back more than 100 years, has involved hundreds of thousands of people, is rife with symbolism, and takes years to plan. Those lucky enough to participate carry the memory with them through their lives. It’s meaningful, it’s joyous, it’s satisfying.

May 27, 2019

Chelsea Gladstone grew up with her five siblings in the close-knit Haida community of Skidegate, in Haida Gwaii.

Meet UBC’s first Lieutenant Governor Medal winner

When Chelsea Gladstone walks across the convocation stage to collect her diploma in May, she’ll become the first member of her family to graduate from university.

May 21, 2019

UBC pursuing housing and transit solutions to push the sustainability agenda

As UBC advocates for an extension of rapid transit to the Vancouver campus, critics have argued the university isn’t building enough housing for its own community.

Apr 30, 2019

For the love of birds: Saving species at UBC is a campus-wide initiative

In 2014, four UBC Vancouver students set out to discover just how the campus was impacting migrating birds—specifically, how many birds die on campus annually from colliding with buildings.

Apr 26, 2019

Undergraduate researchers and advocates recognized as Wesbrook Scholars

A blood-bank diversity campaigner and a mental-health advocate are among the 20 outstanding senior undergraduate students named as this year’s Wesbrook Scholars.

Apr 23, 2019

Supporting students of faith at UBC

UBC has opened a temporary prayer room to give Muslim students an accessible space on the west side of campus to practice their faith during the high-pressure exam period.

Apr 17, 2019

Scientists join UBC as new Canada Excellence Research Chairs

Two internationally recognized researchers join the University of British Columbia as Canada Excellence Research Chairs, bringing international talent in the fields of forest bioproducts and precision cancer drug design.

Apr 17, 2019

New $21.7 million federal funding expands UBC-led research on nanomedicines, clean water and advanced materials

UBC-led research networks that focus on nanomedicines, safe drinking water, and composites manufacturing received a large boost today with $21.7 million in new funding from the Networks of Centres of Excellence.

Apr 16, 2019

UBC tops global university impact rankings: Times Higher Education

The University of British Columbia is ranked number one in the world for taking urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts and ranked one in Canada for making cities inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable, according to Times Higher Education (THE).

Apr 3, 2019

Deconstructing the UBC admissions process

After months of careful review and consideration, universities nationwide are sending out offers of admission. Whether or not a student is accepted into their academic program of choice will impact the next four years of their life—possibly even the path their life takes. Naturally, each spring UBC fields many questions about how applications are evaluated, and how the university determines who to admit.

Mar 29, 2019

Patty Hambler (left), director of health promotion and education at UBC Student Services, and Agnes d’Entremont (right), mechanical engineering instructor and faculty lead for a pilot project in UBC’s mechanical engineering program that teaches second-year students about mental health literacy and understanding the stress response. Credit: Paul Joseph/University of British Columbia

‘Help is available’: Student mental health services at UBC

Sitting on a bench outside Totem Park student residence, Kirsten Tarasoff remembers feeling an overwhelming sense of hopelessness.

Mar 25, 2019

VardMarine designs icebreakersand ice-capable ships such as the Polar Icebreaker, currently proposed to be built by Seaspan. Credit: Vard

Vard $1.5 million gift advances marine engineering research and learning at UBC

The University of British Columbia has received a $1.5 million donation that is expected to advance naval architecture and marine engineering education and promote innovative technologies in Canada’s shipbuilding industry.

Mar 15, 2019