Message from the Provost and Vice-President, Academic
Dear colleagues,
As we conclude winter session one at UBC Okanagan, we reflect on the many exciting initiatives and activities that have taken place over the past year. Since joining the office in February in a pro tem role, I have had the opportunity to see first-hand the truly incredible work being done in support of our academic mission. In this month’s newsletter, we share some highlights from the past year that recognize the outstanding progress being made.
I also encourage you to take a look at the upcoming opportunities and events listed in this edition, as well as read through the inspiring stories that celebrate the members and achievements of our campus community.
I would also like to thank everyone for the warm welcome to the Provost and Vice-President, Academic role, and especially the many colleagues who have supported me over the past few months. I look forward to our continued work together in the new year.
Wishing you all a restful holiday season with friends and family.
Regards,
Dr. Rehan Sadiq, PhD, PEng, FCAE, FEC, FEIC, FCSCE
Professor and Distinguished University Scholar
Provost and Vice President, Academic
academic highlights of the year:
We have many academic highlights from the past year, including:
ARIE Task Force releases final report and recommendations
After many months of intense work, the Anti-Racism and Inclusive Excellence Task Force released their final report and recommendations on April 22, 2022.
The report delivers 54 recommendations focused on students, faculty, and staff as well as Indigenous, Black, and People of Colour.
2022 Teaching Awards recognize excellence and innovation
UBC Okanagan is proud to celebrate outstanding and innovative teaching. This year, we were pleased to recognize four award recipients in both continuing and limited-term appointments:
Ayman Elnaggar, Bowen Hui, Firas Moosvi and Mehran Shirazi
New interdisciplinary building planning underway
This year saw impressive progress on the new Interdisciplinary Collaboration and Innovation (ICI) building. Efforts are now focused on identifying and selecting researchers and scholars who will establish an inclusive culture of interdisciplinary collaboration and innovation, including a strong emphasis on Indigenous engagement. Watch for the expression of interest in early 2023.
Student Affordability Task Force actions in progress
In 2021, UBC committed to developing a comprehensive plan to address the affordability challenges that students face. In March 2022, the Student Affordability Task Force released its Report and Recommendations.
Key actions are already underway under the leadership of the Student Affordability Task Force Implementation Committee.
New non-credit learning opportunities
This was a transformative year for Continuing and Professional Education (CPE), which included the launch of two new micro-credential courses, Performance-based Design and Lifecycle Cost Analysis of Bridges and Metabolomics, with several more courses currently in development.
CPE also launched a new website to support the growing portfolio.
UBC Okanagan hosts two international events
UBC Okanagan welcomed scholars from around the world as co-hosts of the French Ameri-Can Climate Talks (FACT-B) and the International Society for the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning (ISSOTL) annual conference.
These events support and celebrate the importance of international scholarship and collaboration, as part of a global community.
Newsletter Highlights
Bachelor of NłeɁkepmx Language Fluency degree receives ministry approval
The Bachelor of NłeɁkepmx Language Fluency (B.Nłek.) degree is a language-specific program emphasizing immersion-based language learning and community engaged partnerships for Indigenous language revitalization.
Academic Misconduct Regulation REVISED
In September 2022, the President approved amendments to the academic misconduct regulation that adds a new diversion mechanism within the existing academic misconduct system to support learning and personal awareness.
Global website connects faculty to the world
The newly refreshed Okanagan Campus International Office website supports UBC Okanagan faculty to achieve their global visions through international partnerships and agreements.
New tool by UBC Okanagan faculty and students brings data-driven solutions to teamwork
Forming effective teams is often more art than science, but a new tool by Dr. Bowen Hui and her team of students at UBC Okanagan is using data-driven solutions to revolutionize how instructors approach group work. Their tool, Teamable Analytics, helps instructors create balanced teams using an AI algorithm that matches self-reported student skills and attributes against characteristics identified by the instructor . . .
FACULTY PROFILE
Julien Picault’s journey
Dr. Julien Picault overcame challenges in his early education by learning to believe in himself and developing a growth mindset that helped him to achieve his goals and get his dream job as a professor of teaching in the Irving K. Barber Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences.
FACULTY PROFILE
Get to know Lynn Bosetti
Dr. Lynn Bosetti grew up in rural Alberta as the daughter of an educator who strongly advocated for the rights of families and children. She joined academia in 1991, and is currently a professor in the Okanagan School of Education.
STAFF PROFILE
Meet Laura Prada
Laura Prada is the Senior Manager, Academic Programs, Teaching and Learning in the Office of the Provost and Vice-President, Academic. Laura has worked in higher education for more than 12 years and supports academic programs and reviews in her current role.
Upcoming Events
Dec 1: Connecting on Academic Integrity
Join colleagues in a conversation exploring academic integrity across teaching and learning. This session will include information about UBC Okanagan’s recently revised discipline for academic misconduct regulation and centralized supports and resources for addressing academic misconduct through an educative approach.
The panel will discuss academic integrity in classrooms, connect academic integrity to discipline-specific concerns, and identify strategies to perform/practice academic integrity to inform professional identity. Faculty, Teaching Assistants and students are encouraged to attend and participate in this conversation.
Dec 6: 14 Not Forgotten Memorial Ceremony & Unveiling
The School of Engineering is hosting the annual 14 Not Forgotten memorial ceremony to remember the 14 women whose lives were tragically lost in the École Polytechnique massacre. The event includes the unveiling of a new permanent memorial.
alumni profile: entrepreneurship@UBCO Mentor 2 Market supporting graduates
Faculty of Management alumnus Shiven Vinod Khera is taking his startup into the next phase of development thanks to ongoing help from UBCO’s mentorship model.
School of engineering Students launch new student Indigenous society
It had to contend with launching through the pandemic, but the UBC Okanagan chapter of the American Indian Science and Engineering Society (AISES) is thriving.
Addie Mercuri receives Outstanding Master-Level Award
Addie is a graduate student in the MA in Education program. She is a gifted educator and has assumed teaching assistant roles supporting students in several programs.
UBCO iGEM team captures gold medal at iGEM 2022 Grand Jamboree in paris
An interdisciplinary team of students and faculty received a gold medal for their project “Life Bulb” exploring an autobioluminescent lighting system in cyanobacteria using fungal genes.
We’re building a community of teaching and learning excellence.
Learn how Faculties are driving academic excellence.
Due Dec 2: Nominations open for the 2023 Provost’s Award for Teaching Excellence and Innovation
Members of the UBC Okanagan community are invited to nominate outstanding role models in our academic community who grow the culture of teaching and learning at UBC Okanagan and beyond.
Award Opportunities
BCcampus Award for Excellence in Open Education
The BCcampus Award for Excellence in Open Education recognizes outstanding contributions to the open education movement in British Columbia. Contributions may include leadership, OER development, research, or advocacy by faculty, students, support staff, or administrators.
Funding Opportunities
Partnership Recognition and Exploration Fund
How do you engage communities in your research, teaching or work? The Partnership Recognition and Exploration Fund helps faculty and staff partner with BC communities on joint initiatives. Get up to $1,500 for community-university collaboration and relationship building.
UBC Scholarly Publication Fund
Faculty members looking to publish scholarly works can apply for the Scholarly Publication Fund for support with publication costs, including the use of images, copyrighted materials, or special production elements.