University of Northern British Columbia

The University of Northern British Columbia is one of Canada's best small universities. With a core campus in Prince George and regional campuses throughout northern BC, UNBC recognizes the importance of quality teaching, personal attention, ground-breaking research, and being relevant to the North. UNBC aspires to be Canada's premier small, research-intensive university, with internationally recognized academic and research programs that prepare its graduates in areas of high relevance to our region, the province, and beyond. Programming includes diplomas and certificates, bachelor's degrees, and graduate-level offerings at the master's and doctoral levels. There are several academic themes that are evident throughout the University. These include natural resources and the environment, health and human development, community sustainability and development, indigenous peoples, globalization, and cultural expression. Our location and northern focus provide context to all of these themes.

UNBC is also Canada's Green University, with a focus on the environment and natural resources that is rare among Canadian universities. We recognize that the environment sustains the economies, cultures, and health of the people who live in northern communities and we are ideally positioned. Northern British Columbia is one of Canada's most spectacular regions, yet it is also incredibly rich in natural resources. Educating the next generation of environmental stewards and community leaders is essential to the future vitality of northern communities.

UNBC was born through the hard work of northerners, thousands of whom pressured the Government of British Columbia to establish a university in the north. UNBC was established in 1990 and commenced full operations in 1994. Since then, the University has nearly tripled in size, both in the size of the Prince George campus and the number of students who attend per year. UNBC has a special relationship with the Aboriginal communities throughout northern BC and the proportion of Aboriginal students at UNBC is second-highest among all universities in Canada. Recent developments include the development of the Northern Medical Program, the opening of the Charles Jago Northern Sport Centre, and the creation of new regional campuses. Perhaps most importantly, UNBC now produces more graduates who live and work in the northern region than all of the other BC universities combined. Clearly, UNBC has emerged as one of Canada's great educational success stories.

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