International Engagement

The University creates rich opportunities for international engagement for students, faculty, staff, and alumni, and collaborates and communicates globally.

No journey carries one far unless, as it extends into the world around us, it goes an equal distance into the world within.
Lillian Smith

Great universities are bridges between communities and continents. Hubs of intellectual and cultural interchange, they embody the values of respect and service while expanding opportunities for individuals to carry these values into the world.

UBC recognizes the inherent power of international learning to reveal new worlds, open spirits, and change lives. The University builds on successes in international teaching, learning, research, and service to increase engagement at every level. International initiatives include research and institutional partnerships; community and overseas service; and international development ventures, all in regions strategically chosen to cultivate our strengths.

The critical challenges of our day transcend borders. Our ability to address them depends on transcending borders, too: those dividing disciplines and nations. UBC assumes its responsibilities at the centre of dialogue and activity, leading an ethical approach and working with sister institutions to strengthen Canada’s role on the world stage.

Actions

- Foster student participation in learning and service abroad

- Complete Okanagan campus international strategy

- Increase participation of graduate students and other researchers in collaborative projects with international counterparts

- Improve the level of information available to students, faculty and staff on UBC’s international connections


Outcomes

-The new Bachelor of International Economics degree received formal approval from the Ministry of Advanced Education, with the first cohort arriving September 2014

-UBC’s Delhi office officially opened in February 2014

-The GoGlobal for International learning Programs awarded $1.4M to students for international learning experiences

-UBC has over 18,000 international alumni in 93 different countries. They are leaders in industry, government, and their own communities.

-UBC supports international development efforts through international service learning programs offered by the UBC Community Learning Initiative. Students are engaged in international placements that support development projects, while also providing learning opportunities for students.

-UBC has launched a dual degree program, the first of its kind in Canada, with the Institute of Political Studies of Paris (known as Sciences Po). Participating students will graduate with two parchments, having studied on two continents in two universities.

-The first 5 of 112 Mastercard Foundation Scholars to be educated at UBC over the next 10 years arrived on campus in September 2013.  The Program will prepare and equip students to return to Africa and lead change in their communities.


Actions

- Increase the number of substantial strategic partnerships in regions of priority to UBC

- Strengthen UBC’s role in international development


Outcomes

-UBC signed a five-year strategic cooperation agreement with the government of Chongqing, China, opening doors to increased academic and research collaborations with universities and research institutes.

-UBC is the host university chosen to lead the India-Canada Centre for Innovative Multidisciplinary Partnerships to Accelerate Community Transformation and Sustainability, or IC-IMPACTS, the first International National Centre for Excellence in the world.