Our incoming graduate student orientation was held on August 28, 2024. Please check back regularly, as events will continue to be added throughout the coming months.
Please also refer to UBC 501 to find key information for incoming students.
If you have questions about orientation events, please email gradadmin.ubco@ubc.ca.
schedule of Events
| Time | Session | Location |
| 8 a.m. – 8:30 a.m. | Check in and Coffee
Pick up your name tag and enjoy a coffee before the day starts. |
ASC Courtyard |
| 8:30 a.m. – 9:45 a.m. | Welcome to Graduate School
Learn about graduate studies at UBC Okanagan, including supports available, professional development, and funding opportunities. Join Indigenous Programs & Services to learn about the Syilx Okanagan Nation Territory and the university’s relationship with the host nation. |
ASC 140 |
| 10 a.m. – 11 a.m. | Academic and Scholarly Integrity in Graduate Studies: How the Centre for Scholarly Communication Can Support you in Working with Integrity
As a graduate student, academic honesty and scholarly integrity are an important part of joining and contributing to academic conversations in your discipline. Join the Centre for Scholarly Communication (CSC) as we discuss questions like: What does academic integrity mean in graduate school? How can I get support for learning to paraphrase other authors effectively? What is self-plagiarism and how does it connect to copyright? Where can I get help to design a Research Data Management plan that is effective and ethical? What strategies can I use when searching the literature to keep track of my sources? Please bring your questions about academic and scholarly integrity to this interactive workshop. |
ASC 140 |
| 11:05 a.m. – 12 p.m. | What I Wish I Knew When I Started Grad School
Ask questions and hear from current graduate students about their experiences in grad school, at UBCO, and in the community. |
ASC 140 |
| 12 p.m. – 1 p.m. | Lunch, Resource Fair, & Lawn Games
Enjoy a pizza lunch, play some games, and check out the many campus resources available to grad students. |
ASC Courtyard |
| 1 p.m. – 1:45 p.m. | Healthy Habits for Graduate Students
The most important tool for academic success is your wellness! Join Campus Wellness & Education to learn healthy habits to set yourself up for success from the beginning of your program. In this workshop, we will introduce personal wellness, and support participants as they pursue positive physical, mental and social wellbeing. Participants will learn to recognize stress, develop emotionally healthy habits and build their wellness care kit. |
ASC 140 |
| 1:50 p.m. – 2:50 p.m. | Building a Great Relationship With Your Supervisor
Learn how to establish excellent communication and expectations right from the start. |
ASC 140 |
| 1:50 p.m. – 2:50 p.m. | Equity and Anti-Racism Workshop
The Equity & Inclusion Office will cover concepts such as diversity, equity, inclusion, belonging, and anti-racism. We will discuss how to make spaces more inclusive, and some pitfalls to avoid. We will also introduce the resources available through the Equity & Inclusion Office to advance inclusion at UBCO. |
ASC 130 |
| 3 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. | Introduction to Research Ethics & Writing the Ethics Application
Learn about the research ethics review and approval process at UBC. Recommended for all thesis-based students. |
ASC 140 |
| 4 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. | Graduate Student Social/Mixer
Meet your graduate community facilitators and enjoy some coffee and snacks. |
ASC 460 |
International Students – Book a Time
| 9 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. & 1 p.m. – 4 p.m. | SIN Applications by Service Canada On Campus
Come and get your SIN printed on the spot! |
ASC 460 |
Check out these other events happening after Orientation:
| Date | Time | Session | Location | Registration |
| September 25, 2024 | 3 p.m. – 4 p.m. | Commons Field | Not required | |
| October 16, 2024 | 11 a.m. – 12 p.m. |
Q&A Session: Writing the Canada Graduate Scholarship – Master’s Application |
Online | Register |
| November 12, 2024 | 1 p.m. – 2 p.m. |
Q&A Session: Writing the Canada Graduate Scholarship – Master’s Application |
Online | Register |
GRADUATE STUDENT SPACES
UBC’s Okanagan campus offers two spaces for exclusive use by graduate students. Access to both areas is granted to current graduate students who agree to abide by the terms and conditions. Learn more about graduate student spaces.
To gain access to graduate student spaces, please submit the Graduate Student Space Access Request Form below.
Graduate Student Space Access Request
Please use UBC or other institutional email addresses when completing this form. Gmail is blocking system notifications. Graduate students submit this form to obtain access to spaces on campus including the Graduate Student Collegium (ASC 460) and Graduate Student Commons (COM 310).
UBC 501
UBC 501 is a self-guided, online orientation designed to help prepare you for your arrival at UBC Okanagan. UBC 501 is made up of five modules and can be accessed anywhere, anytime with an internet connection. Each module takes approximately 20-30 minutes to complete. The modules cover topics such as graduate student expectations, working with your supervisor, familiarizing yourself with Kelowna and the Okanagan, history and traditions of UBC Okanagan and important on-campus resources to help you along the way.