Hello everyone,
It is that time of year again! We are in the midst of our graduation ceremonies, and this spring, we are celebrating 10,380 graduates at UBC Vancouver and 2,618 graduates at UBC Okanagan. To each and every one of you—congratulations! We are incredibly proud of you and excited to see you on your way to a successful and self-determined life.
As the 2024-25 academic year comes to a close, I also want to offer my heartfelt congratulations and sincere thanks to every member of the UBC community for another strong year under what remain challenging circumstances. You make UBC great and your work is deeply appreciated.
There is no question that the year unfolded in a world that continues to be complex and at times unsettling. From geopolitical conflicts and tensions, to challenges within higher education and the very real pressures unfolding in our own communities—these are times that call for a clear sense of purpose. In that context, the role of a great university becomes even more important, in championing education and research with a commitment to academic excellence and academic freedom that reflects who we are and what we stand for.
UBC, like all universities in Canada, also navigated significant financial constraints this year. The impact of changes to international student policies, combined with inflationary cost pressures and a shifting global economy, are impacting the entire sector. In response, we have taken a disciplined and prudent approach to financial planning. Our academic and operational units continue to work thoughtfully and carefully to manage our resources, while staying focused on long-term sustainability and our core academic mission.
Thanks to these collective efforts, we were able to present a balanced operating budget for 2025-26, which was approved by the UBC Board of Governors in March. That is no small accomplishment, and it speaks volumes about the dedication and stewardship across our community. I also want to acknowledge our partners in government, industry and non-profit organizations, as well as our great alumni and donors for their continued support of UBC’s mission and operations.
In addition, as part of our broader financial planning and to support ongoing renewal and UBC’s long-term future, we have recently introduced a voluntary retirement program for eligible faculty and selected staff. This program, designed in collaboration with our Faculty Association and unions, will provide our Faculties and Administrative Units with another option as they look to support their long-term objectives and priorities.
Amidst it all, UBC researchers have continued to lead significant and impactful research discoveries. This year saw major momentum in biotech and health innovation, including a $31-million provincial investment—on top of $140 million in federal funding announced last year—in Canada’s Immuno-Engineering and Biomanufacturing Hub, strengthening UBC’s capacity to support public health and prepare for future pandemics. Another health highlight was the opening of the superb Gordon B. Shrum Building, the new home of UBC’s School of Biomedical Engineering.
Across disciplines and campuses, UBC scholars advanced knowledge in ways that captured international attention and informed public understanding—from identifying 128 new moons around Saturn, to uncovering how specific brain cells help us remember, and mapping Canada’s food flows to strengthen food security. UBC Okanagan researchers also quantified the economic value of developing NHL talent in local communities, and work by a UBC philosopher was cited in a recent U.S. Supreme Court decision.
Among many important Indigenous initiatives, UBC Vancouver launched a new Bachelor of Indigenous Land Stewardship program—a first-of-its-kind degree in Canada, co-developed by Indigenous leaders and the UBC Faculty of Forestry. Created in response to the growing need for Indigenous-led land management, the program integrates Indigenous science and ways of knowing with courses in ecological science, governance, law, economics, and business.
UBC Okanagan will celebrate its 20th anniversary on July 1, marking two decades of educational advancement and community impact. This milestone provides an opportunity to reflect on progress while also envisioning future development. This past April, the UBCO Senate approved a new Bachelor of Commerce program, transitioning from the current Bachelor of Management degree. The UBC Okanagan Debates series continues to demonstrate the university’s commitment to fostering critical public discourse, with recent debates tackling the opioid crisis, and Canada’s relationship with the United States.
Looking ahead to next year, we are preparing to launch our refreshed strategic plan, “UBC’s Strategic Directions 2025-2030”. The refreshed plan articulates the kind of university we aspire to be by 2050, defines a focused set of academic priorities for the next five years, and reaffirms our ongoing commitment to the institutional and faculty-level plans that continue to guide us—notably the Indigenous Strategic Plan, UBCO Declaration of Truth and Reconciliation Commitments, StEAR Framework, and Climate Action Plan. My sincere thanks to everyone who contributed ideas and feedback to this year long process. The plan has now been endorsed in principle by both Senates and we look forward to sharing the final version in the fall.
As we transition into summer, I encourage everyone to take time to rest, reflect, and recharge. Whether you’re graduating, preparing for the next academic term, or simply pausing to take stock, I hope you all carry a strong sense of pride in what we have accomplished together this year.
Once again, thank you for everything you do for UBC!
Sincerely,
Benoit-Antoine Bacon
President and Vice-Chancellor
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