Updates, news and stories

Apply to join the UBC delegation for COP27

Join UBC’s delegation at COP27 to engage with the international climate negotiation process, share UBC’s leading research and climate actions, and build new partnerships with people from around the globe.  

UBC research says bad reviews can be good for business

There is a general opinion that negative online reviews and poor ratings can be detrimental for brands. However, a new UBC study shows that negative online comments have little effect in cases where brand relationships are strong and consumers personally identify with a brand’s products. In some instances, they found negative reviews can actually have positive effects for brands.

H5P: supporting knowledge assessment through interactivity

2022 UBC Okanagan Researchers of the Year

A message from Phil Barker, Vice-Principal and Associate Vice-President, Research and Innovation, UBC Okanagan Dear colleagues, I am delighted to announce this year’s student and faculty Researcher of the Year award recipients. Each has made significant contributions to research and creative scholarly activity at UBC Okanagan. Please join me in congratulating this year’s outstanding awardees.

Remote Work update

Last year UBC announced the introduction of a Remote Work pilot program to formalize alternate work arrangements, where operationally feasible. While the program successfully launched last November, there were circumstances that impacted our ability to fully understand hybrid work, such as floods and subsequent gas rationing, and the evolution of COVID-19 with the Omicron variant. 

Update on the death of Harmandeep Kaur

A message from Lesley Cormack, Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Principal, UBC Okanagan

Leadership change within the Vice-President, Finance and Operations portfolio

A message from Santa J. Ono, President and Vice-Chancellor It is with very mixed emotions that I wish to announce that Peter Smailes, Vice-President, Finance and Operations, is leaving UBC to take up a new opportunity at Kwantlen Polytechnic University as their Vice-President, Administration.

Read the latest from Santa Ono's blog: Strategic Plan Update

Invitation: Heads Up Forum

You are invited to the next Heads Up Forum from 1:30 pm to 3 pm on April 5. Tuesday, April 5, 2022 1:30 to 3:00 pm UBC Okanagan Ballroom (UNC 200) Please note, this meeting will be in person. A Zoom link will not be available.

Reappointment of Bryce Traister as Dean, Faculty of Creative and Critical Studies

A message from Dr. Rehan Sadiq, Provost and Vice-President Academic pro tem, UBC Okanagan Dear colleagues, I am pleased to announce that the UBC Board of Governors has approved the reappointment of Dr. Bryce Traister as Dean, Faculty of Creative and Critical Studies (FCCS), for a second five-year term, commencing February 1, 2023. Dr. Traister is a Professor of English and holds a Bachelor of Arts and a PhD in English from the University of California, Berkeley.

Reminder: Share your photo of spring blossoms by Apr. 11

On March 28, we invited you to share a photo of spring blossoms in celebration of the changing seasons.Thank you to those who have already shared photos with us. In case you haven't already, there's still time to submit a photo of how spring inspires you. The deadline is Monday, April 11.What do you need to do?

Professional Development Fund for Management & Professional (M&P) staff increased to $750

For the 2022/23 funding year, the individual Professional Development (PD) Fund maximum for M&P staff has increased from $550 to $750. This individual increase has resulted from cumulative funding increases made to the overall budget during the 2019-2022 UBC-AAPS Agreement period to support increased use of PD Funds. PD Funds support learning activities that enhance your workplace knowledge or skills and support your career growth at the university.