UNBC: 2005 Year in Review
December 23, 2005 for immediate release
January
UNBC welcomed the first 25 students in the Northern Medical Program, an
expansion of the UBC Faculty of Medicine to educate physicians in
northern BC. Premier Gordon Campbell visited the students during the
first week of classes and demonstrated the state-of-the-art technology
linking medical students across the province. At the end of the month,
BC biotechnology leader Donald Rix, also a member of the UNBC Board of
Governors, donated $3 million to further expand health research and
education in northern BC.
February
Premier Campbell announced $31.8 million to build a new Teaching and
Learning Centre on the Prince George campus and renovate the Geoffrey
R. Weller Library. The TLC will house faculty offices, classrooms, and
labs. Construction began in the summer.
The results of the first-ever national study of rural nursing were unveiled by Nursing professor Martha Macleod. The research documented a drop in the number of rural nurses, a problem foreseen to worsen as the average age of nurses continues to increase.
The results of the first-ever national study of rural nursing were unveiled by Nursing professor Martha Macleod. The research documented a drop in the number of rural nurses, a problem foreseen to worsen as the average age of nurses continues to increase.
April
The UNBC Board of Governors approved a modest 2% increase in tuition
fees, bringing a typical tuition fee for a full-time undergraduate
student to $4110 per year.
The Northern Medical Programs Trust attracted major donations from CN ($300,000) and EnCana Corporation ($150,000). Other major contributions during the year were made by Alcan ($500,000) and BMO Bank of Montreal ($150,000).The NMPT is a partnership between UNBC and northern communities to support medical students interested in practicing in the North.
Premier Campbell announced $20.5 million towards construction of the Northern Sport Centre. The NSC is a partnership between the City of Prince George and UNBC and the facility is expected to include a gymnasium, indoor track, and indoor field, and services for high-performance athletes.
The Northern Medical Programs Trust attracted major donations from CN ($300,000) and EnCana Corporation ($150,000). Other major contributions during the year were made by Alcan ($500,000) and BMO Bank of Montreal ($150,000).The NMPT is a partnership between UNBC and northern communities to support medical students interested in practicing in the North.
Premier Campbell announced $20.5 million towards construction of the Northern Sport Centre. The NSC is a partnership between the City of Prince George and UNBC and the facility is expected to include a gymnasium, indoor track, and indoor field, and services for high-performance athletes.
May
About 730 students graduated from UNBC during graduation celebrations
in Prince George, Terrace, New Aiyansh, Quesnel, and Fort St. John.
Honorary degrees were also presented to former UNBC Chancellor George
Pedersen and First Nations education advocate Mary Alice Danaher.
June
UNBC announced the completion of its $2 million Offshore Oil and Gas
research program in Prince Rupert. The project resulted in the
production of seven research publications and involved more community
involvement than any other study on the offshore oil and gas issue.
The number of Canada Research Chairs grew to eight, second-highest among small universities in Canada. The CRC program was created by the Government of Canada and UNBC’s Chairs are leading world-class research programs on climate change, the mountain pine beetle, small-town issues, resource management, aboriginal self-determination, and environmental literature.
The number of Canada Research Chairs grew to eight, second-highest among small universities in Canada. The CRC program was created by the Government of Canada and UNBC’s Chairs are leading world-class research programs on climate change, the mountain pine beetle, small-town issues, resource management, aboriginal self-determination, and environmental literature.
August
UNBC hosts a major aboriginal writers and storytellers festival, which
also includes the second annual Poetry Train between Prince George and
Prince Rupert. Fourteen writers, a dozen storytellers, performers, and
visual artists participated.
UNBC President Charles Jago was named a Member of the Order of Canada.
September
UNBC President Charles Jago was named a Member of the Order of Canada.
September
UNBC launched a masters-level Family Nurse Practitioner program,
expanding offerings in the health sciences. The bachelor’s degree
program in Nursing was also added in Terrace, along with a new bridging
program designed to increase the number of aboriginal school teachers.
A survey led by Initiatives Prince George revealed that the local annual economic impact of the College and University is more than $700 million.
A group of companies – including Western Industrial Contractors of Prince George – was identified by the City and UNBC to design and build the Northern Sport Centre.
A survey led by Initiatives Prince George revealed that the local annual economic impact of the College and University is more than $700 million.
A group of companies – including Western Industrial Contractors of Prince George – was identified by the City and UNBC to design and build the Northern Sport Centre.
October
BMO Bank of Montreal donated its former downtown Prince George branch
to UNBC for use as an additional location for staff offices and
research space.
November
UNBC achieved its best-ever ranking in the annual Maclean’s magazine
ranking of Canadian universities, placing fourth in the “primarily
undergraduate” category – the best in western Canada.
December
Dr. Don Cozzetto, a native of British Columbia who has spent the past
18 years at universities in the United States, was named as UNBC’s
fourth president. He will take over from Charles Jago in the
summer of 2006.
