Message from the Provost and Vice-President, Academic
Dear colleagues,
I am pleased to share our Winter 2023 edition of Academic Update—the Provost Office’s quarterly newsletter, featuring updates on teaching and learning initiatives, funding and award information, opportunities to connect with our campus community, and success stories.
In this edition, you’ll find exciting updates about our newly launched Okanagan Global Summer Program; a new healthcare-focused micro-credential; an update on the space allocation process for x̌əl sic snpax̌nwixʷtn, the campus’ newest collaborative teaching and research building; and much more.
As the end of 2023 nears, I wish to express my sincere gratitude to everyone in our campus community for your many contributions this year. Looking back, we should be proud of the progress made toward UBC’s goals. I look forward to continuing our work together in the new year.
Wishing you the best for the end of term and a restful break spent with family and friends.
Sincerely,
Dr. Rehan Sadiq,
Provost and Vice-President, Academic
Academic Initiatives
Highlights
- x̌əl sic snpax̌nwixʷtn space allocation update.
- Okanagan Global Summer Program launches in 2024.
Our Community
Highlights
- Get to know UBC Okanagan staff and faculty.
- Find academic and community events taking place in December.
Student Success
Highlights
- MFA student Tom Leveen shares his passion for storytelling.
- UBC Okanagan students excel across campus.
Awards & Funding
Highlights
- UBC Okanagan educator receives open education award.
- Learn more about internal funding opportunities.
x̌əl sic snpax̌nwixʷtn space allocation update
Twelve research teams were recently notified of their advancement to stage two of the initial space allocation process for x̌əl sic snpax̌nwixʷtn, a collaborative teaching and research building opening on the Okanagan campus in 2025. The offices of the Vice-Principal, Research and Innovation and the Provost and Vice-President, Academic are managing initial space allocations in x̌əl sic snpax̌nwixʷtn through an inclusive and transparent selection process.
Okanagan Global Summer Program launches in 2024
Next summer, the UBC Okanagan will host students from around the world for academic exploration and adventure with the Okanagan Global Summer Program. Partnering with Faculties across campus, the program brings together interdisciplinary perspectives to offer unique and innovative course packages.
Teaching Practices Survey campus report available
More than 140 UBC Okanagan faculty participated in the 2023 Teaching Practices Survey. The survey takes place every four years and seeks to better understand how faculty structure learning for students and share feedback on perceptions of the teaching climate at UBC.
End-of-term Student Experience of Instruction surveys open
Student Experience of Instruction (SEI) surveys help improve the quality of teaching and learning at UBC. SEI surveys are available to most UBCO students between November 25 – December 9, 2023. Learn more about the survey, including how it is used to improve teaching and learning at UBC Okanagan.
Progress on academic integrity recommendations
Academic integrity is a teaching and learning priority at UBC Okanagan. Learn more about the strategic direction and progress made toward recommendations and related activities, supported by the Academic Integrity Implementation Group.
Continue receiving communications from the Office of the Provost and Vice-President, Academic
Community and academic events:
dec 7: Wellbeing in Teaching and Learning Community of Practice—December Meeting
The objective of this Community of Practice is to bring teaching and support faculty together for the opportunity to share, discuss and gain ideas, resources, challenges and successes for teaching well-being, and to offer support and mentorship for doing so.
Learn more: What is a Community of Practice?
DEC 15: UBC DISABILITY AFFINITY GROUP (DAG) CHECK-IN
Attend an informal, drop-in style Zoom meeting to discuss concerns, issues, strategies, advocacy, ideas, or just sit back and relax with your camera on or off in a safe and supportive environment with other disabled UBC community members.
Meet our community:
Staff profile
Meet Raina Reddecliff
Raina Reddecliff serves as Associate Director, Campus Internationalization in the Office of the Provost, with an extensive portfolio that includes international partnerships and programs as well as oversight of Office of the Provost communications.
IDEA STORY
Working together for a better tomorrow
Whether learning about new colleagues and students or pursuing educational opportunities across various disciplines, Rishma’s deep love of learning is contagious, making her vocation as an educator, researcher and nurse a fitting combination . . .
new faces
Get to know new faculty members
Get to know more about your new colleagues and UBC Okanagan’s growing campus community. Read about new faculty members who joined UBC’s Okanagan campus over the past few years, including their research and teaching interests, exciting developments in their fields, and more.
Featured Resource
Fostering respectful dialogue
Learn steps and best practices to foster respectful dialogue across difference at work with helpful guides and toolkits from the Equity and Inclusion Office.
Student Profile: Tom Leveen
Faculty of Creative and Critical Students
Master of Fine Arts student, Tom Leveen discovered his passion for storytelling in the second grade, igniting a spark in him that set him on a path to pursue storytelling and creativity.
More student success in the news
Read stories from around campus about how students are excelling in their studies and beyond, and how faculty are supporting student learning and success.
UBC Okanagan News: UBC Okanagan’s Bachelor of Sustainability a degree of change
Faculty of Creative and Critical Studies: UBC Okanagan’s new Master of Design builds leadership potential
UBC Okanagan News: Lessons from the land
Faculty of Health and Social Development: School of Nursing students hold Global Health Gala
Faculty of Management: Student on a Mission
Okanagan School of Education: Pawsitive lessons in social-emotional learning
School of Engineering: Analytics are changing the student experience at the School of Engineering for the better
UBC Okanagan News: Reimagining the PhD
award recipient
Claire Yu Yan receives BCcampus Award for Excellence in Open Education
Dr. Claire Yu Yan is the December 2023 recipient of the BCcampus Award for Excellence in Open Education. The award recognizes outstanding contributions to the open education movement in British Columbia.
Funding Opportunities
Dec 31: Partnership Recognition and Exploration Fund
Jan 22: UBC Wellbeing Strategic Initiative Fund (Teaching, Learning and Research Environment Stream)
Feb 15: UBC Scholarly Publication Fund