Dr. Ayşe Alemdar Thomson receives UBC Okanagan Principal’s Staff Award
UBC Okanagan School of Engineering congratulates Dr. Ayşe Alemdar Thomson, Manager, Research and Strategic Initiatives, on receiving the Principal’s Staff Award for Emerging Leadership. The Principal’s Staff Awards celebrate outstanding contributions that go beyond regular responsibilities and make a meaningful impact on the university community. The Emerging Leadership award recognizes individuals who demonstrate leadership through […]
GCRTC panel explores Indigenous knowledge and engineering perspectives on wildfire resilience
As communities across British Columbia confront the growing impacts of wildfire, building resilience requires knowledge and collaboration across disciplines, professions and lived experiences. The Green Construction Research & Training Centre (GCRTC) at UBC Okanagan invites the campus and broader community to an upcoming panel discussion: Indigenous Knowledge, Land-Use, Planning, and Engineering Perspectives on Wildfire Resilience: […]
UBC innovation offers a creative solution to cleaning the air
The summer of 2026 brought another challenging wildfire season to the Okanagan, with smoke and poor air quality affecting communities across the region. Against that backdrop, a made-at-UBC innovation is offering a creative approach to cleaner indoor air. Developed at UBC Okanagan and brought to life through student ingenuity, three handcrafted air-filtering art installations have […]
Celebrating engineering alumni, industry and community at UBCO Homecoming
There’s nothing like the start of a new school year to bring people together. It’s a time to celebrate where we’re going, how far we’ve come, and, most importantly, the people who make it all possible. UBC Okanagan’s School of Engineering is inviting alumni, industry partners, current students, faculty and staff to join us on […]
From resilient infrastructure to AI-powered communications: UBCO engineering researchers receive NSERC Discovery Grants
Stronger infrastructure. Smarter communications. Cleaner energy. Better health technologies. Six UBC Okanagan School of Engineering researchers have received a combined $1.55 million in Discovery Grants from the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) for work advancing solutions to some of today’s most pressing challenges. The grants are part of a broader investment announced […]
A made-in-BC heat pump with global impact
James Seabrook graduated from UBC Okanagan’s engineering program in 2011 and didn’t leave the region. He walked into a shop in Kelowna, got a job and started building his own business. Today, Vitalis Equipment Technology Inc. employs more than 70 people and counts half its engineering team as UBCO graduates. It’s poised for global growth, […]
Dr. Qian Chen named an inaugural UBCO Impact Research Chair
Dr. Qian Chen, Assistant Professor of Civil Engineering with UBC Okanagan’s School of Engineering, has been named one the campus’ six inaugural Impact Research Chairs in recognition of her leadership in advancing digital construction technologies and sustainable housing solutions. The new program supports researchers whose work is driving meaningful impact within communities, industries and society. […]
UBCO engineering researcher named an international leader in earthquake-resilient construction
Dr. Lisa Tobber’s collaboration with New Zealand researchers aims to strengthen the safety and resilience of prefabricated buildings A UBC Okanagan engineering researcher is helping lead an international effort to make buildings safer in earthquake-prone regions. Dr. Lisa Tobber, Assistant Professor in the School of Engineering, has been awarded a Catalyst International Leader Fellowship from New Zealand’s Royal Society Te Apārangi. […]
Building a solid foundation for sustainable communities: meet Quinn Soon
2026 UBC Okanagan engineering graduate Quinn Soon reflects on leadership, sustainability and creating impact through engineering Meet UBCO 2026 BASc Civil Engineering Graduate Quinn Soon Growing up in the Okanagan, Quinn Soon was drawn to engineering by a desire to help address some of society’s most pressing challenges, including sustainability, housing affordability and community resilience. […]
Master of Design: Reflecting on our first month together
UBC Okanagan’s Master of Design (MDes) professional graduate program recently welcomed its inaugural cohort of students. Rooted in critical design thinking, creative practice and design principles, the program—collaboratively delivered by the School of Engineering (SoE) and Faculty of Creative and Critical Studies (FCCS)—empowers students to tackle real-world challenges alongside industry, community and public sector partners. […]