Academic Priorities

Help us shape our campus' future and define what sets us apart as we celebrate 20 years of growth within one of the world’s top universities.

Why are we doing this work now?

The shifting global context and resulting challenges faced by higher education institutions around the world demand that UBC Okanagan take the aspirations of Outlook 2040 a step further and clearly define who it is academically.

This is an opportunity for the campus to articulate clear short- and long-term academic priorities to plan our future within the overarching vision for UBC and the Strategic Plan refresh.

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How were these priorities determined?

In considering academic priorities, the Okanagan Leadership Council held a series of strategy sessions throughout 2024, where data was analyzed, including external demographic, trend and outcome data, as well as internal data that considered areas of program and research strength.

Deans shared the resulting outputs with Faculties and Schools, while the Provost’s Office gathered feedback from students and key groups, including the Indigenous Advisory Board.

What are the academic priorities?

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Resilient people, communities, economies and environments in support of a sustainable future

(Core Academic Focus)

UBCO approaches resilience as a complex, interdisciplinary challenge that demands insights from across academic domains. Our research, curricula and creative outputs empower students with the skills and knowledge necessary to tackle one of the most urgent issues of our time—sustaining the planet for future generations. This spans everything from cultural to environmental studies so that we can foster healthy people, communities and economies.

UBCO is committed to cultivating and considering diverse expertise, including Indigenous knowledge. By exploring resilience and adaptation through varied lenses, UBCO equips students with a comprehensive, multi-dimensional understanding of climate and cultural challenges and opportunities, preparing them to lead in building sustainable futures.

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The Importance of Place

UBCO’s location in the Okanagan, a region confronting diverse climate challenges, deeply shapes and informs our academic mission, as does its historic partnership with the Okanagan Nation Alliance (ONA). Committed to serving the communities of interior British Columbia, UBCO prioritizes community-engaged research and applied learning to address critical regional challenges that have global implications. We also work to solve broader global problems—from food security to resilient infrastructure—by applying a local and experiential lens.

Collaborating through reciprocal relationships with local industries, government institutions, Indigenous communities and health agencies, UBCO offers students meaningful, real-world experiences that enrich their education while fostering strong, mutually beneficial partnerships within the community.

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Distinctive Student Experience

At UBCO, experiential education is a cornerstone of the student experience, with opportunities spanning classrooms, industries, our communities and the globe. Undergraduate students have the unique opportunity to engage in research at a research-intensive university and students can participate in a vast range of international study options, ensuring students develop skills in diverse, real-world settings.

Our commitment to student success is reflected in comprehensive academic services and support programs that foster an inclusive and welcoming campus and support critical thinking with integrity. UBCO is a close-knit learning community where faculty work closely with students, administrative teams work collaboratively, and everyone is driven by a shared commitment to creating a better future.

Share your feedback before June 30

We want to make sure that the academic priorities resonate with faculty, staff and students and reflect what is important to them.

Thank you for your feedback! The survey is now closed. We look forward to sharing feedback from the community in the coming months.

Explore the proposed areas of academic focus in the draft academic priorities position paper.