Community Engagement
ENGAGEMENT AT A GLANCE
Events
Explore hundreds of events at UBC Okanagan, from thought-provoking speakers to performance art and varsity athletic games.
DISTINGUISHED SPEAKER SERIES
Compelling speakers explore issues that affect our region, our country and our world. The Distinguished Speakers series is a partnership between the Irving K. Barber Faculty of Science and the Irving K. Barber Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences.

Chris Hadfield, 2013

Jay Ingram, 2015

Temple Grandin, 2017
UBC CONNECTS
A public lecture series, presented by President Santa J. Ono, featuring the world’s most esteemed thought leaders. UBC connects the dots — and people — to shed light on the world’s most pressing issues.
NOBEL NIGHT
Each December, UBC professors discuss the contributions of Nobel Prize winners, examining the what, how and why of the world’s big discoveries and ideas.
KILLAM LECTURE SERIES
A series of engaging events featuring recipients of the University Killam Professorship, UBC’s highest honour for faculty.
Irving K. Barber Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences
Faculty of Creative and Critical Studies
Okanagan School of Education
Faculty of Engineering
Faculty of Health and Social Development
Faculty of Management
Irving K. Barber Faculty of Science
College of Graduate Studies
COMMUNITY RESEARCH & INNOVATION PARTNERS
Collaborations with industry, government and organizations elevate our discovery and learning.
UBC’s connections with the BC’s Interior Health authority are deep, including the Healthy City Partnership (with the City of Kelowna), the Southern Medical Program, and UBC’s Clinical Academic Campus at Kelowna General Hospital where researchers in physics, biology and chemistry are working with the BC Cancer Agency to provide accurate radiation treatment evaluation sooner. Read more.
UBCO’s partnership with Accelerate Okanagan is a pipeline for Kelowna’s growing tech community to collaborate with students and faculty. Community entrepreneurs can tap into UBC talent and students get help launching tech ventures like Happipad.com, an online rental service developed by UBCO graduate Cailan Libby. Read more.
The UBC Innovation Precinct is a 55-acre parcel established as a new collaborative place for UBC to partner with non-profits and industry. One exciting project involves a partnership with BC-based Avcorp Industries to collaborate on the refinement of aerospace composite materials and advanced manufacturing. Read more.
EXPLORE RESEARCH AT UBC OKANAGAN
PARTNER WITH UBCO
UBC’s University-Industry Liaison Office (UILO) helps industry, government and non-profit partners to create flexible, on-going multi-faceted relationships with UBC research. For UBCO, contact: Derek Gratz, Associate Director, UILO (Okanagan Campus) | derek.gratz@ubc.ca | Phone: 250-807-9853.
ARTS & CULTURE
Check out the creative works of students, faculty and visiting artists, authors and performers.
CONNECT WITH STUDENT TALENT
Find high-calibre student candidates to contribute to your business or organization.
- Hire a Student or Find a Volunteer
- Co-op
- Community Service Learning
- Training BC’s Doctors (Southern Medical Program)
- Tomorrow’s Teachers (Okanagan School of Education)
INDIGENOUS CONNECTIONS
UBC works to integrate understandings of Indigenous cultures and histories into its curriculum and operations.
- Aboriginal Career Fair
- Bridges Aboriginal Youth Employment
- Cultural Safety Project
- En’owkin Centre
- Okanagan Nation Alliance
- UBCO Indigenous Engagement
RECREATION
Buy a membership at the Hangar fitness facility or cheer on your favourite Heat team.
- Campus Recreation (Hangar & Field Rentals)
- Heat Athletics
- UBC Okanagan Trails | Community Fitness Loop
PROGRAMS FOR ALL AGES
Future astrophysicists, the next Nobel Laureate for Literature, or seniors who crave new knowledge—UBCO is a place for learners of all ages.
- Summer Camps and Youth Programs
- CodeCreate
- Essential Skills for Your Digital World Program
- Expo of Awesome (SD23)
- Frequencies: A podcast from the UBCO Library
- Psychology Clinic
- STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) Initiatives
- Volunteer and Standardized Patient Program
UBCO: FIND US OFF-CAMPUS
Kelowna General Hospital, downtown Kelowna and more. Our footprint extends beyond campus.