On January 29, UBC’s Board of Governors (BoG) gathered to hear an update on the progress of UBC’s strategic plan refresh. UBC has entered the second phase of the refresh, and will be shaping the input it has gathered in previous stages into an actionable plan for UBC over the next 25 years.
“We're at the point where the most challenging work begins, that is to shape all of those ideas, all of this input, into a clear and compelling plan,” UBC President and Vice-Chancellor Benoit-Antoine Bacon said in the meeting.
In December 2024, BoG concluded the first phase of the refresh, “Listening in Context.” Phase one involved extensive community engagement in the form of workshops, targeted engagement sessions and surveys and gathering input from over 1,600 participants including faculty, staff and students.
From the nearly 5,000 comments gathered during these engagement sessions, the data revealed 16 themes that UBC community members want UBC to prioritize. These themes ranged from advancing inclusion to building UBC’s recognition and reputation.
When it comes to the themes, Bacon said UBC has already made significant progress supporting people and community, advancing reconciliation and decolonization, and leading in environmental sustainability and climate action.
Bacon also identified key areas which need further growth and preparation, including excelling in teaching and learning, redefining UBC’s presence in BC and beyond and creating a digital future.
“I'm very, very bullish on flexible learning for the 21st century,” Bacon said. “I'm very interested in student and employee wellness.”
Bacon also mentioned that AI could be a priority moving forward, stating “it obviously cuts across many themes, research and teaching,” and that UBC should potentially be leveraging “the power of AI to better serve our students.”
Bacon reiterated that the intention of the refresh is not to replace the strategic plan, but rather to update it to better define priorities for the next three to five years while specifically focusing on UBC’s academic and research mission. In parallel with the refresh, UBC will continue to implement current initiatives like the Indigenous Strategic Plan, Strategic Equity and Anti-Racism Framework and faculty-level plans.
Bacon announced that updates for phase two will be presented at the BoG’s March meeting and that in May the Board can expect a “clear, compelling and actionable document.”
“The work that we're doing is absolutely central to shaping UBC's future and positioning the university to thrive in the [upcoming] decades,” Bacon said.
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