The future is yours.
Congratulations! As the 17th President and Vice-Chancellor of the University of British Columbia, I am truly honoured to share this important milestone with you.
Tuum Est. It is Yours.
These sage words—UBC’s motto for more than a century—beautifully capture both the university’s promise to you and the boundless potential you carry forward.
You are now a graduate of UBC and I hope you will carry those words—Tuum Est—with you as you embark on the next chapter of your life’s journey. May they serve as a lasting reminder of the strength within you, and of the agency you hold to shape a better world.
A degree from one of the top 40 universities in the world opens many doors. It’s not only a mark of academic achievement, but a signal of your readiness to lead, contribute, and create meaningful change. You are on your way to a life of success and self-determination. As you look ahead, take the time to pause, savour this moment, and reflect on how you now stand at the threshold of your next great adventure.
Since UBC’s first graduating class in 1916, smart, engaged graduates like you have helped shape Canada for the better. Over that time, UBC has grown from a small provincial university to a global research and innovation powerhouse, with a community of more than 400,000 alumni in 150 countries.
UBC alumni thrive in every realm of achievement—as scientists, artists, entrepreneurs, educators, and leaders—helping to address the most pressing issues of our time. They do incredible, world-changing things, and you are now a part of this amazing community.
Now think about how much you have changed in your time at UBC—the people you’ve met, the discussions you’ve had, and the contributions you’ve made. Taken together, these experiences have shaped you in lasting ways that will guide and strengthen you as you navigate the complexities of the world.
There will be hurdles along the way—but what defines you is not what stands in your path, but how you rise to meet it. Each of you has the capacity and skill to succeed and make our world a better place.
Be proud of all you’ve accomplished—we certainly are! UBC has been honoured to serve as your home. Please know that you will always be welcome here.
Congratulations once again, and my very best wishes as you begin the next chapter of your journey.
Benoit-Antoine Bacon, B.A. (Hons.), M.Sc., Ph.D.
President and Vice-Chancellor