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For those who see learning as a lifelong pursuit, we offer an evolving lineup of offerings from subject matter experts and esteemed UBC professors and instructors. Gain the relevant knowledge required to enhance your career or enrich your life experiences and come away with the confidence and skills to achieve your unique personal or professional goals.

Dr. Simon Bates Appointed Associate-Provost, Teaching and Learning

On May 28, 2018, Professor Andrew Szeri, Provost and Vice-President Academic announced the appointment of Dr. Simon Bates to the role of Associate-Provost, Teaching and Learning, effective July 1, 2018. This is a newly created position in response to the retirement of Professor Hugh Brock, whose term as Associate-Provost, Academic Innovation ends June 30, 2018. Dr. Bates has also been appointed Interim Executive Director of UBC Extended Learning (ExL).As Associate-Provost, Teaching and Learning, Dr. Bates will provide academic leadership and oversight of ExL and the Centre for Teaching, Learning and Technology (CTLT). He will also oversee the development of new programs and lead curriculum quality assurance. In addition, his portfolio will include experiential learning, and oversight of the UBC Learning Exchange.Dr. Bates joined the Department of Physics at UBC in 2012 as one of the first Professors of Teaching. He has served as Senior Advisor to the Provost, Teaching and Learning, and was most recently Academic Director, Centre for Teaching, Learning and Technology (CTLT) before being appointed to Associate-Provost.

One-on-One With Associate-Provost Simon Bates

One-on-One, an ongoing series that gets behind the scenes with senior leadership at UBC, recently spoke with Simon Bates, UBC's Associate Provost, Teaching and Learning, and Interim Executive Director, Extended Learning. In this interview, Simon talks humility, humour and hooves, and shares the most important lesson he’s learned in his career.

Larry Bouthillier appointed as Executive Director, UBC Extended Learning

Larry Bouthillier has been appointed Executive Director, UBC Extended Learning (ExL) effective February 1, 2020.Currently Senior Director of Digital Learning Initiatives at Brown University, Larry is responsible for the planning, design and development of digital learning initiatives, programs and products, and leads the Online Innovation Team.Larry’s previous roles include Director of Online Learning at New England Institute of Technology; Director of Educational Technology & Multimedia Development at Harvard Business School; and Course Designer/Developer at the Harvard Extension School, where he remains an Adjunct Professor teaching Computer Science.As the new Executive Director, Larry’s focus will be to continue to develop ExL’s portfolio of programs and support services aligned with Strategy 13: Practical Learning of the strategic plan, Shaping UBC’s Next Century and to ensure UBC and ExL are well positioned to deliver the innovative programs that learners are demanding throughout various phases of their careers and lives.  A key part of ExL’s mandate is to collaborate with and support Faculties to develop programs and courses for non-degree learners. Collaborations already underway including the 11 proposals funded through the inaugural Online Learning Advancement Fund (OLAF) and, with the Department of Computer Science, the development of short courses for mid-career learners, through pilot funding from the Province of British Columbia. 

The UBC President Bursary program

The UBC President Bursary Program for summer 2025 is now closed. We are no longer accepting bursary applications for the summer 2025 program after March 11, 2025.The UBC President Bursary program was set up to support grade 11 high school students in British Columbia to attend UBC Future Global Leaders. You can apply for one bursary for the Future Global Leaders course, mini-school or program of your choice. When you apply, choose from one of the following:SessionWhat the Bursary coversFall and Winter OnlineFull tuition for one 10-week online courseSummer OnlineFull tuition for one 3-week online courseSummer On-Campus – Commuter OptionFull tuition for one 2-week on-campus program (course or mini-school), plus lunch Monday through FridaySummer On-Campus – Residence Option(Please note there are a very limited number of bursaries for this option, with priority given to BC students living outside of Greater Vancouver.)Full tuition for one 2-week on-campus program (course or mini-school), plus meals and accommodation for two weeksEligibilityTo be considered for a UBC Future Global Leaders bursary, you must meet the following eligibility criteria:Currently in grade 11, or have just finished grade 10, in a high school in British ColumbiaHave an overall average of 80% or higher, and 80% or higher in grade 11 English (or equivalent). If you are entering grade 11, you must have an overall average of 80% or higher, and 80% or higher in grade 10 English (or equivalent)Be a Canadian citizen or permanent residentLive in a lower income household (as determined by your family’s gross income and number of people living in your household)Your parent(s), guardian(s) or caregiver(s) did not graduate from a university or university-collegeTo applyWe award bursaries to eligible students until funds run out for the bursary period. If you meet the eligibility requirements, we encourage you to apply as soon as possible for a bursary for the course or program of your choice.Please note we can’t guarantee availability of courses since they fill up as students register. If you’re eligible for a bursary, we will do our best to accommodate your first or second choice.To apply for a bursary, please send an email, with Bursary in the subject line, to info.exl@ubc.ca. Please include the following in your email:Your name, address, email, telephone number and birthdateThe name of a teacher or counsellor from your school who can provide a reference, if we request oneYour family’s approximate gross annual income and the number of people living in your householdConfirmation that your parent(s), guardian(s) or caregiver(s) did not graduate from a university or university-collegeA short summary of why you want to attend UBC Future Global Leaders (max. 250 words)Your first and second choice UBC Future Global Leaders course and the dates of each courseYour most recent transcript (available from your school or MyEducationBC.gov.bc.ca) as an attachmentQuestions?If you’re not sure you meet the criteria, or have questions about the application, please contact us.Please subscribe to UBC Future Global Leaders emails to stay up-to-date and hear about future bursary opportunities.  

UBC Joins AWS Academy to Equip Learners with In-demand Cloud Computing Skills

The University of British Columbia and UBC Extended Learning are pleased to announce participation in AWS Academy, an Amazon Web Services (AWS) program that provides higher education institutions with a ready-to-teach cloud computing curriculum. Beginning in Spring/Summer 2020, learners can enrol in courses that will prepare them to pursue careers in the fast-growing cloud computing space and industry-recognized AWS Certifications.The AWS Academy curriculum is developed and maintained by AWS subject matter experts, ensuring that it reflects current services and up-to-date best practices. Courses are taught by AWS Academy accredited educators from UBC, who have experience teaching and using cloud tools and applications.UBC Extended Learning will oversee the organization and delivery of these courses, with input from faculty and staff subject matter experts from UBC, offering a flexible and engaging course format that will allow learners to work towards development of hands-on skills and competencies in cloud computing tools and applications.Simon Bates, Associate Provost, Teaching and Learning, and Interim Executive Director, UBC Extended Learning, noted: “The rapid increase in availability of cloud tools and services is significantly changing the way organizations operate, and thus changing the nature of the skills profile employees need to thrive in these new digital environments. Whether that results in new roles or changed roles, we want to be able to support learners to acquire these skills, in a flexible way that fits with their work, life, and other commitments. The AWS Academy curriculum will support us tremendously towards this goal.”About UBCThe University of British Columbia (UBC) is a global centre for teaching, learning and research, consistently ranked among the top 20 public universities in the world and recently recognized as North America’s most international university.Media Contact: Tanya Reid, Director, Marketing, Extended Learning, 604 822-7643, tanya.reid@ubc.caJoin our subscription list to be notified about news and updates about UBC Extended Learning AWS Academy offerings.

Aika Sembay

Aika supports new program development for UBC Extended Learning (ExL) and across the university, managing program research, design and strategy, and providing market insights and design recommendations for program success and sustainability for credit and non-credit. She provides market research and funding grant consultation support for Faculty degree/non-degree programs for Provost Office New Programs Hub faculty initiatives and leads the administration of the Continuous Learning Advancement Funding Call (CLAF).

Anne-Rae Vasquez

Anne-Rae oversees and directs UBC Extended Learning’s (ExL) Academic Services team, an agile incubator for innovative ExL and UBC faculty non-degree programming, micro-credentials and non-credit learning opportunities. She oversees program design, market research, analysis, learning and curriculum design, learning technology, academic cloud services and educational media development. Anne-Rae is also responsible for strategic analysis, solution design and implementation, and budget financial modelling for new programming. Anne-Rae is a member of the ExL Management Team, the ExL Program Development Advisory Committee, and the Vice-President Academic and Provost’s (VPAO) New Programs Hub. She manages the administration of VPAO funding initiatives such as the Continuous Learning Advancement Fund (CLAF) and oversees the University’s UBCx Edx portfolio, including development of new programming, industry outreach, promotion, delivery and support of existing and faculty partnered programs. A solutions-focused, team-oriented leader, Anne-Rae brings more than a decade of broad-based and technical experience in strategic planning, design, development, delivery and support of teaching and learning in fully online, hybrid and open modalities to her role.