Student Learning

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 11 faculty/department reviews were completed
  • Teaching and Learning Enhancement fund approved 65 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, which is fundamental to Place and Promise, is in its second year.  A call for proposals for flexible learning initiatives resulted in 65 proposal, 40 that will be centrally funded, reaching over 10,000 students.
  • Vancouver School of Economics was established with 2,151 applications received for 80 student spaces in year one
  • UBC Vantage College was approved by the Board and will accept its first cohort in September 2014

Action

  • Develop and implement initiatives that support student engagement and achievement
  • Review and improve advising functions at UBC

Outcome

  • Programs are in place to assist students adjust to university life and provide support, including orientation, peer programs, jumpstart and jumpback programs
  • The Arts Co-op program grew by 14% to reach 375 placements with over 300 community partners who invested over $3m to employ students
  • Review of Associate Vice President, Student Services portfolio completed at Okanagan campus; portfolio realigned for renewed emphasis on student success

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.  4400 students in Vancouver were involved in community service learning through the Centre for Community Engaged Learning, and 492students were involved in community service learning at the Okanagan campus
  • 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
  • 2013-14 saw an increase of outbound UBC student international university activity at both campuses. In particular Global Seminars, programs led by UBC faculty abroad doubled over previous year with 312 students participating in 20 Global Seminars (16 led by Vancouver faculty; 4 by Okanagan faculty).

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
  • Ponderosa Commons Phase 1, adding 550 new spaces, opened in September 2013; 1000 beds added since 2010; another 1600 to be added by by 2016 and a plan to add up to 4000 more beds by 2020.
  • Surveys such as New to UBC, Undergraduate Experience Survey, NSSE and the International Student Barometer Survey are completed annually, informing decision making
  • An integrated Centre for Student Involvement and Careers bringing together career development support, student leadership and professional skills development was implemented
  • First Collegia opened in Ponderosa for first year commuter students.
  • Students with concerns are identified as early as possible through Early Alert and connected to supportive resources and services.  (2457 concerns from faculty and staff; 27% resulted in a reach out to students and 92% student accept the offer to meet with an advisor)
  • Student Code of Conduct sets clear expectations for student conduct on campus and through the Non-Academic Misconduct Process, over 90% of incidents are resolved through a restorative justice approach where an agreement is reached with the student that addresses impact on the community and connects the student to campus supports and services.
  • Canada West approved the Okanagan campus as members