UBC Reports | Vol. 55 | No. 8 | Aug. 6, 2009

Okanagan growing in graduate studies

By Jody Jacob

The very first doctoral degree to be completed at UBC Okanagan – a PhD in chemistry, awarded to Sarrah Vakili in June – was an important milestone for graduate studies at UBC’s campus in Kelowna, says Marvin Krank, Dean of the College of Graduate Studies.

Another 59 students are pursuing doctoral degrees right now, says Krank, and 29 more candidates are expected to be admitted to doctoral programs over the next year.

“We have already graduated many master’s students and our doctoral programs have grown dramatically over the past few years,” says Krank.

June’s graduation ceremonies saw 55 master’s degrees conferred in social work, nursing science, education, applied science, arts and fine arts. Last year, 218 students entered master’s degree programs. This year another 158 master’s students have been accepted.

“Graduate programs span the breadth of academic disciplines here, from science and engineering to creative arts,” says Krank.