UBC Institutional Highlights 2021/22 Academic Year

UBC’s global rankings 

In 2022, UBC ranked 37th in the Times Higher Education World University Rankings. UBC placed second in Canada for impact and 13th in the world out of more than 1,600 participating institutions. These rankings measure how well universities help to advance the 17 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) that promote social and economic wellbeing across the planet.

Read more about UBC’s rankings and check out some facts about UBC.  

Anti-racism and inclusive excellence commitment 

The Anti-Racism and Inclusive Excellence Task Force was created in response to UBC’s commitment to building a more inclusive university community.

In April 2022, the task force released its report, with 54 recommendations. Six committees—focused on students, faculty, staff, Indigenous, Blackness, and People of Colour—contributed to the recommendations and a panel discussion at the report’s launch. The report provides guidance for UBC to continue to address all forms of discrimination and work toward becoming a more inclusive institution.

Learn about the task force recommendations and progress toward implementation.

Biomedical innovation advancement 

UBC researchers and learners are driving the rapid growth of biomedical innovation in BC and Canada. In 2022, researchers reached a new milestone toward universal blood type organs for transplant. This could lead to improving fairness in organ allocation and decreasing mortality for patients on waitlists. 
 
UBC researchers also found a “silver bullet” to kill bacteria and keep them from infecting patients who have medical devices implanted. 

Learn more about UBC’s biomedical innovation research. 

UBC Okanagan expands downtown

In June 2022, UBC Okanagan announced plans to open a new location in downtown Kelowna, reinforcing its community ties. The collaborative, multi-use space will house UBCO’s School of Nursing and School of Social Work, offer leased office space, university rental housing, an art gallery and a range of amenities. 

In addition, the newly built Skeena Residence received its Passive House certification. It’s the first student residence in Canada to receive this status, which recognizes a stringent set of efficient design and construction standards. The certification demonstrates UBC’s commitment to addressing the climate emergency with sustainable solutions. 

Researchers advance artificial intelligence  

UBC researchers continue to lead the way in developing the underlying algorithms that power AI. They are applying machine learning, natural-language and image processing in order to transform medical diagnosis and treatment, assist in complex decision making and help determine what data we can trust.  

Students are also using AI in innovative ways in their research. For example, a group of students from the UBC Sauder School of Business and the Faculty of Applied Science have found a creative way of using AI to tackle the effects of climate change in BC’s fruit orchards. The technology has the potential to help fruit farmers navigate harsher environmental conditions and prevent crop loss. 

Access to medical education across BC

The UBC Faculty of Medicine’s Southern Medical Program celebrated 10 years of graduating doctors this year. Over 215 doctors have graduated from this program, creating pathways to better health for communities across the Interior Health region.  

The Southern Medical Program demonstrates UBC’s commitment to expanding medical and health professional training to rural and underserved communities across the province. 

Learn more about UBC’s distributed medical program. 

Centre for Indigenous Fisheries opens at UBC

In 2021, UBC’s Institute for Oceans and Fisheries launched the Centre for Indigenous Fisheries. The centre aims to support the management and protection of culturally significant fish and fisheries in ways that uphold and respect Indigenous rights, values, practices and knowledge systems. 

The centre’s research is community centred, employing both Indigenous research methodologies as well as tools and learnings from both Indigenous and Western sciences.  

Looking for UBC’s institutional reports?  

Shaping UBC’s Next Century sets out our collective vision, purpose, goals and priorities for the years ahead. Learn more about UBC’s strategic plan in action on the strategic plan website and access a wealth of stories, updates and metrics tracking our progress and achievements—check back frequently.