University of British Columbia (UBC) is a public research university with campuses in Vancouver and Kelowna, British Columbia. Established in 1908, UBC is the oldest university in British Columbia. As of 2016, UBC ranked 37th in the world and 2nd in Canada according to Times Higher Education World University Rankings. In 2016/17 QS World University Rankings ranked UBC 32nd overall in the world and 2nd in Canada. In 2015/16 Maclean’s Magazine ranked UBC as Canada’s Best Overall School and 4th Best Medical Doctoral School.
Located on the traditional territory of the Musqueam people, UBC has two main campuses: the Vancouver campus which opened in 1908; and the much larger Okanagan campus which opened for classes September 2005 after almost ten years of planning. The Vancouver campus is about 45 minutes by bus from downtown Vancouver, while the Okanagan campus is located on 546 hectares (1,360 acres) of land near downtown Kelowna. More than 38,000 students attend classes at UBC’s Vancouver campus while over 10,000 are enrolled at its Okanagan campus. As well as these two main campuses there are also several satellite locations throughout BC including Robson Square and Beatty Biodiversity Museum in downtown Vancouver; Centre for Digital Media near Great Northern Way; Wernham West Centre for Learning located on Howe Street; Nitobe Memorial Gardens on Main Mall; Green College Residential College at 6201 Cecil Green Park Road; St John’s College located at 2111 Lower Mall; St Mark’s College off Campus south east False Creek Flats area next to Science World ;and Regent College adjacent to St John’s college off Campus south east False Creek Flats area next to Science World . All first year undergraduate students regardless of their chosen program or campus must complete a common first year curriculum known as Arts One or Science One before proceeding to upper level courses.
The University Of British Columbia was established by royal charter on March 16, 1908 as western Canada’s first institution of higher learning. The Canadian province of British Columbia rapidly grew following settlement by English-speaking settlers from eastern Canada during late 19th century. These settlers were joined during early 20th century by immigrants from other parts of Europe, Asia, South America, and other regions making up today’s multicultural society. With such diversity came numerous challenges that shaped how modern universities respond to societal needs while maintaining independence. Many early discussions among educators revolved around whether universities should focus primarily on teaching or research – or strike some balance between the two – with debate continuing even today. At its founding 108 years ago, The University Of British Columbia was one answer to this question as it became one of three publicly funded institutions charged with delivering higher education within then-British colony’s boundaries (the others being McGill University established 1821and Queen’s University established 1841).:xiii–xiv These chartered schools began operating soon afterwards::22–24 but none had yet been granted full “university” status until 1908 when legislation finally gave rise to The University Of British Columbia along with Alberta’s Mount Royal University (now called MRU) and Saskatoon’s Wesleyan Methodist Church college – later called Saskatchewan Polytechnic).:1 Two more provincial universities would be created later: Simon Fraser University opening its doors 1965 followed closely 1970 by Athabasca University