UNBC celebrates another year of success from the Maclean's University Survey

Some good results for the University of Northern British Columbia
as Maclean's releases their 2020 University Survey(photo from UNBC)

The most requested item at the UNBC library this week may be the current edition of Maclean's magazine, as the national publication offers up its annual review of Canada's University's.

The current issue is making for a big day for the Prince George based University which has once again been ranked in second place when it comes to the Primarily Undergraduate category.

It is the sixth straight year that UNBC has finished in the top tier in its category, with Mount Allison in New Brunswick the University that UNBC is chasing down for the title.

In this years review, Macleans' has also noted some other achievements for UNBC, which placed first in two of the 14 categories in the overall rankings, including the number of students who have won national awards and operating budget, which measures operating expenditures per full-time student.

The University also received top marks in the student-to-faculty ratio (second), the number of faculty citations (fourth), and total research dollars (fourth).

UNBC President, Dr. Daniel Weeks noted how the recognition from the national publication serves as an acknowledgement of their work towards building the University's reputation across the nation.

“UNBC continually strives to be a University that transforms lives and communities in the North and around the world. This ranking acknowledges our efforts at creating an environment that fosters creativity, inspires future leaders and enhances the research culture for our students, faculty and staff.”

UNBC also received strong marks for promoting Indigenous visibility, mental health services and steps to prevent sexual assault.

You can review the full information statement from UNBC here.

UNBC President Dr. Daniel Weeks and Lheidli T'enneh Nation Chief
Clay Pountney sign an agreement to provide for a pair of options for
Members of the Nation to attend UNBC at no cost
(photo from UNBC)

This week, the University added to its engagement program with Indigenous residents of Northern British Columbia, announcing that they were creating new opportunities for members of the Lheidli T'enneh First Nation, with a pair of programs to make for easier access to education for the First Nation which is the host community for the Prince George campus.

The first program, called the Lheidli T’enneh Northern Promise Partnership Program, provides candidates who meet UNBC admission requirements with the funding they need to achieve an undergraduate degree at UNBC. The University provides full tuition support for a full undergraduate degree, and the Lheidli T’enneh Nation will cover funding to support student needs such as living expenses, including housing, food, and transportation, fees (other than tuition), textbooks, and tutoring. 

 The second program, called the The Lheidli T’enneh Northern Promise Partnership Transition Program, is available to Lheidli T’enneh identified students who do not meet the normal admission requirements for UNBC entrance, yet demonstrate strong academic promise, or wish a transition experience from high school or college to University. UNBC will provide full tuition support and the Lheidli T’enneh Nation will cover funding to support student needs.

More background on the new initiatives at UNBC can be explored here.

A look at the full overview of Universities from Maclean's can be explored here.