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, […]
Engineering healthier futures through wearable technology
For Brooke Franchuk, engineering is about creating technologies that can make a meaningful difference in people’s lives. A 2018 graduate of the Mechanical Engineering program at UBC Okanagan School of Engineering, Franchuk now works at Garmin, where she helps develop wearable technologies designed to support health and well-being. Her journey highlights how engineering skills can […]
Designing for Winter Mobility: A Wheelchair-Accessible Snow Shovel
For wheelchair users, snow-covered paths can create significant barriers to independent mobility. Capstone Project Name: Wheelchair Accessible Snow Shovel Team Members: Axcan Alba Gonzalez – Mechanical Engineering Ian Schoeman – Mechanical Engineering Marcus Chan – Mechanical Engineering Aidan MacKenzie – Mechanical Engineering Lewis McCombie – Mechanical Engineering Michael Zidkovich – Mechanical Engineering Students in the Capstone […]
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. […]
UBCO engineering student recognized as an emerging founder
A UBC Okanagan School of Engineering doctoral student is being recognized as part of Innovation UBC‘s latest Venture Founder cohort, highlighting the growing impact of engineering-led entrepreneurship across the university. Shayan Narani, founder and CEO of Cement Dioxide, was recently featured by Innovation UBC among a select group of founders advancing ventures with the potential to […]
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. […]
Master of Design Begins: A Change-Making Studio in the Okanagan
After years of collaboration, planning and community engagement, UBC Okanagan’s Master of Design (MDes) program has welcomed its inaugural cohort of students. In the letter below, Professor Dr. Kenneth Chau and the MDes Team reflect on the journey to launch the program and the vision for MDes as a change-making place where students, faculty, partners […]
UBC Okanagan engineering alumnus launches award to support future changemakers
Seabrook Impact in Engineering Award will empower grads to advance ideas with lasting impact One of UBC Okanagan’s earliest engineering graduates is helping power a brighter future for the next generation of innovators who will follow in his footsteps. James Seabrook, founder and CEO of Vitalis and a long-time supporter of UBC Okanagan’s School of […]
Building resilience through engineering
Meet UBCO 2026 BASc Manufacturing Engineering Graduate Dasampreet Kaur Coming to Canada on her own to pursue an engineering degree at UBCO was both exciting and challenging for Dasampreet Kaur. Over the course of her studies, she discovered not only a passion for engineering, but also a deeper understanding of herself. As a graduating Manufacturing […]
UBC Okanagan engineering grad transforms adversity into impact
Dr. Gordon Springate Sr. Award in Engineering empowers Ciana Dawydiuk-Clozza When a UBC Okanagan engineering student suffered a painful sports injury, she didn’t let it slow her down—instead, she found a way to turn a setback into support for others on the road to recovery. On graduation day, June 5, her efforts have earned her […]