Message from the Provost and Vice-President, Academic
Dear colleagues,
I am pleased to share our Spring 2024 edition of Academic Update—the Provost Office’s quarterly newsletter. In this edition, I invite you to learn about new academic initiatives, including two recently launched healthcare micro-credentials; updates to experiential education on campus; and many upcoming award and funding opportunities.
As this academic year draws to its conclusion and we prepare to celebrate as a community at convocation, it is only fitting that we also highlight some of the many recent successes of our colleagues, recognized for outstanding teaching and learning, and our students across all Faculties.
Wishing you all a strong finish to the academic term, and an excellent summer session ahead.
Sincerely,
Dr. Rehan Sadiq, PhD, PEng, FCAE, FEC, FEIC, FCSCE
Professor and Distinguished University Scholar
Provost and Vice-President, Academic
Academic Initiatives
Highlights
- Two new healthcare micro-credentials on offer in 2024
- Spring student experience of instruction survey now open
Our Community
Highlights
- Celebrating academic and teaching and learning events this term
- Getting to know Michelle Tinling
Student Success
Highlights
- Undergraduate Research Ambassadors host 2024 showcase event
- Stories of success from UBC Okanagan students
Awards & Funding
Highlights
- New website for UBC funding calls
- Inaugural OER Excellence and Impact Award recipients announced
update on experiential education at ubc okanagan
Building on the efforts of the Experiential Education Taskforce, UBC Okanagan is taking an updated organizational approach to leading and coordinating experiential education initiatives with several organizational changes to support these endeavours. Acknowledging the dynamic nature of experiential education, which spans various programs and campus portfolios, we will soon be engaging with stakeholders across campus to collaborate on the next stages of experiential education at UBC Okanagan.
two new healthcare micro-credentials on offer in 2024
In 2024, the Faculty of Health and Social Development successfully launched two new micro-credentials, Health Assessment for Primary Care Nursing and Foundations for a Restorative Approach: Health Care Harm and Wellbeing, growing UBC’s Continuing and Professional Education offerings.
SPRING STUDENT EXPERIENCE OF INSTRUCTION SURVEYS NOW OPEN
SEI surveys are an important opportunity to identify and support effective teaching in our community and provide information about student experiences. Surveys are available from March 30-April 14 for most classes.
UBC Okanagan Hosts International Panel on Academic Integrity
On February 13, UBC Okanagan hosted leading experts from around the world for an interactive panel discussion on Open Educational Resources (OERs) to Promote Academic Integrity.
Academic bulletins
Read recent academic bulletins from the Office of the Provost and Vice-President, Academic.
- Apr 5: Further update regarding international student study permits and allocation of BC Provincial Attestation Letters
- Mar 1: Update regarding international student study permits and allocation of BC Provincial attestation letters
- Feb 29: Guidance for ongoing collegial discussions for the university community
- Jan 26: Update regarding international student study permits and allocation of BC Provincial attestation letters
- Jan 9: Removing course location information from public view
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UBC Okanagan Books of the Year: Dr. John-Tyler Binfet speaks about his book, Virtual Human Animal Interactions.
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Academic Integrity Week: Academic Integrity Assistant, Stephanie, hands out chocolate and AI-themed valentines on February 14.
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Black History Month: Look back on events that took place throughout February celebrating Black culture, history, and achievements.
Looking back at academic, teaching and learning events this term:
- UBC Okanagan Books of the Year > In March, UBC Okanagan celebrated faculty authors in our community at the UBC Okanagan Books of the Year event.
- Academic Integrity Week > Our campus community celebrated Academic Integrity Week through a number of interactive events, including student outreach, panels and workshops.
- Black History Month > Throughout February, UBC Okanagan commemorated Black History Month with a series of engaging and educational events aimed at celebrating Black culture, history, and achievements.
Q&A
ALT-2040: Beyond the Classroom
Learn more about learning transformation happening at UBC Okanagan with this Q&A series connecting with ALT-2040 project teams.
Event
Celebrate Learning Week
UBC is hosting the 15th annual Celebrate Learning Week from May 6–10, 2024 under the theme: Remembering the Human in the Loop.
The CTL and OPAIR will be hosting a session, Keeping Students in the Loop: Using Institutional Data to Inform Course Design and Teaching Practices,
exploring how new generations of students bring different ideas and expectations to higher education.
PROFILE
Get to know Michelle Tinling
Michelle Tinling joined the Office of the Provost in August 2023 on secondment from the UBC Okanagan Library to support the implementation of Workday Student at UBC Okanagan as the Workday Student Business Analyst.
Undergraduate Research Ambassadors host 2024 showcase event
The impressive skills of undergraduate researchers were on full display at the Undergraduate Research Showcase that took place on March 1. Seven student panellists presented their unique undergraduate research pathways and shared how research experiences have enhanced their studies. Students shared their experiences and participation in faculty-led and supported research projects in topical and emerging fields, such as Parkinson’s disease communication, microfluidic chip fabrication, racial bias in the media, sexual health education in Canada and more.
The event was hosted by the Undergraduate Research Ambassadors. Inspired by their own research experiences, Undergraduate Research Ambassadors offer peer support and information to help their fellow students navigate research opportunities at UBC Okanagan, supported by Academic Operations and Services in the Office of the Provost with partners in the Academic and Career Advising Office.
student stories from UBC okanagan faculties
Faculty of Creative and Critical Studies | Irving K. Barber Faculty of Science
Faculty of Creative and Critical Studies
How a Mayan language exchange is empowering Indigenous students
We’re building a community of teaching and learning excellence.
Learn how Faculties are driving academic excellence.
Congratulations to the recipients of the 2024 UBC Okanagan Teaching Awards
Educators hold a special and important role in our lives and communities. Through their dedication and expertise, they not only share valuable knowledge but also instill the values that support students to flourish and grow. In recognition of their crucial contributions, UBC Okanagan holds an annual celebration honouring exemplary role models who make significant impacts on the culture of teaching and learning on our campus with the Killam Teaching Prize and the Provost’s Award for Teaching Excellence and Innovation.
This year, we’re pleased to recognize outstanding recipients of the 2024 Teaching Awards:
Provost’s Award for Teaching Excellence and Innovation:
- Dr. Bill Cohen
- Dr. Julien Picault
- Dr. Gina Whitaker
Killam Teaching Prize:
- Dr. Christine Schreyer
UBC funding calls website: The newly launched funding calls webpage provides the UBC community with a list of internal funding opportunities to support collaboration and innovation. We encourage you to visit the page regularly for new funding opportunities > Visit fundingcalls.strategicplan.ubc.ca
AWARD RECIPIENTs
Anita Chaudhuri and Rishma Chooniedass receive BCcampus Award for Excellence in Open Education
Anita Chaudhuri and Rishma Chooniedass have been named the joint recipients of the March 2024 BCcampus Award for Excellence in Open Education for their collaborative work. The award recognizes outstanding contributions to the open education movement in British Columbia.
AWARD RECIPIENTs
Inaugural UBC Open Education Resources (OER) Excellence and Impact Award recipients
We are very pleased to announce the UBC Okanagan recipients of the inaugural UBC Open Education Resources (OER) Excellence and Impact Awards are Bowen Hui (individual award) and the team of W. Stephen McNeill, Tamara Freeman and Riley Petillion (team award).