UBC Okanagan
One Great University
Two Great Campuses
On March 17, the provincial government announced its decision
to establish a new UBC Okanagan campus as part of a plan to create
25,000 new post-secondary seats. The decision not only created an
exceptional opportunity to improve university access for students
in B.C.'s Okanagan region, it also marked a pivotal point in the
history of UBC. Growing out of Okanagan University College (OUC),
UBC Okanagan will open its doors in Kelowna in 2005. Over the following
five years, it will more than double in size to serve 7,500 students
-- including 500 graduate students.
"Our vision is to establish a world-class university,"
said President Martha Piper. "It will be distinctive in its
academic programs, responsive to the special needs of the Okanagan,
attract outstanding faculty and students and be an economic driver
in the region."
Led by President Piper, Deputy Vice Chancellor Barry McBride, Associate
Vice President for Integration Moura Quayle, and guided by a UBC
Okanagan President's Advisory Council chaired by new Board of Governors
member Brad Bennett, UBC's transition team immediately began extensive
consultations with area communities and OUC faculty and students.
In July, UBC's Board of Governors approved an $18.4 million construction
plan, funded by the B.C. government to expand OUC research and learning
facilities in order to accommodate an anticipated 900 new students
when doors open in 2005. Plans for a 1,000 student residence space
are also being finalized.
 Direction for initial academic programming began to emerge in August.
The new campus will build on existing arts, science, education,
nursing, business and social work programs. It will also build world-leading
research in areas such as sustainability (including land, food and
water systems and conservation biology), society and culture, indigenous
studies, health and aging.
UBC
also launched an international faculty recruitment campaign to attract
40 new faculty researchers to the new university, the first complement
of 240 additional new faculty needed by 2010.
"As we have mapped out the significant possibilities for
the Okanagan, we have received enthusiastic support," said
Piper.
"Through the new campus, Okanagan students and faculty will
make extraordinary contributions to B.C., Canada and the world."
|
As it expands academics to serve 7,500 students and graduate-level
research, UBC Okanagan will attract 240 new faculty researchers
from around the world to the region, including prestigious Canada
Research Chairs.
Related Links
|
