The University provides the opportunity for transformative student learning through outstanding teaching and research, enriched educational experiences, and rewarding campus life.
Learn as if you were to live forever.
Mahatma Gandhi
The heart of The University of British Columbia lies in its people—students, staff, faculty, alumni, and community—and our outstanding learning environment is the outcome of our relationships with one another.
Learning takes place within the social and emotional context of each student’s life. Applying new research on education, UBC revolutionizes teaching practices in the classroom and expands learning opportunities outside of it: through community service learning, research and co-op experiences, internships and mentorships, international opportunities, and participation in a rewarding campus life.
Through rigorous study within and across disciplines, students acquire the knowledge, inquiry and communication skills, professional abilities, and understanding of other cultures that enhance their personal development and enable them to contribute and lead in a global society.
Transformative learning inspires students to flourish in their studies and stay connected with UBC as alumni. Together, faculty, staff, and students share the responsibility for bringing learning to life.
Action
- Review and revise curricula and pedagogy to ensure that they are informed by leading edge research on how people learn
- Simplify and streamline program requirements and course prerequisites whenever possible to enhance flexibility and self-directed learning
- Improve feedback mechanisms on teaching and learning through peer reviews and teaching evaluations
- Further align the University rewards and recognition systems with student learning goals
- Develop and implement benchmarks and key metrics related to the enhancement of teaching and learning, and as part of the periodic academic reviews
Outcome
- Curriculum review continues to be a high priority for Faculties and Programs and is a key component in ongoing planning; the launch of a new Biology program in the Faculty of Science is an example
- 17 faculty/department reviews were completed
- The Teaching and Learning Enhancement fund approved 66 projects valued at $2.4 million
- Revised guidelines with prescribed metrics and performance indicators for Academic Unit reviews were implemented to bring greater emphasis on the quality of teaching and learning
- Faculty based implementation of new peer review and mentoring processes was strongly supported
- A new strategic initiative on Flexible Learning was launched. Fundamental to Place and Promise, it takes into account how people learn, technology and a desire for flexibility and life-long learning
- UBC joined Coursera, to provide on line open learning courses, with its first non-credit course in gaming theory in collaboration with Stanford, attracting over 100,000 students
Action
- Develop and implement initiatives that support student engagement and achievement
- Review and improve advising functions at UBC
Outcome
- An Early Alert program was implemented to help faculty and staff provide more comprehensive support for students facing difficulties that put their academic success at risk
- Programs are in place to assist students adjust to university life and provide support, including orientation, peer programs, jumpstart and jumpback programs
Action
- Provide undergraduate students with opportunities to pursue at least two enriched educational experiences during their course of studies
Outcome
- Community Service learning, which provides hands on experience for students to contribute to solutions on societal issues, has tripled over the past three years
- Go Global launched its academic integration initiative to enhance UBC students’ capacity to study abroad through academically integrated exchange pathways in designated departments and by increasing access and outreach
Action
- Continue the expansion of informal learning space and on-campus work opportunities, and implement Collegia locations for students who commute
- Implement a coordinated strategy for communication with students
- Support student-led initiatives to create a campus culture of involvement
- Increase support for student health and wellbeing, with a specific focus on mental health
Outcome
- 22% of Vancouver students and 24% of Okanagan students live on campus
- The first multipurpose student residence where students can live and learn, the Ponderosa Commons Phase 1 will add 550 new residence beds in September 2013
- NSSE, New to UBC and an International Student Barometer Survey are completed annually, informing decision making
- Students.ubc.ca was launched this year, amalgamating 14 student-related websites into one site
- An integrated Centre for Student Involvement and Careers bringing together career development support, student leadership and professional skills development is in implementation phase
- Continuing UBC’s proud athletic tradition, in both 2011/12 and 2012/13, UBC Thunderbirds won more national titles (CIS and NAIA) than any other Canadian institution (6 in 2012/13, 4 in 2011/12)
- Okanagan Campus will open "The Hangar" in 2014 – it’s first built-to-purpose recreational facility
