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OUC Okanagan: Get involved in new university and new college By Steve Burns, Capital News contributor Three weeks ago I wrote an article in support of UBC Okanagan. Now that UBC Okanagan is a reality, I wanted to provide you with a number of perspectives on the issue. With respect to my original article, in total 85 individuals contacted me to voice either their support or their opposition to my position. Of these individuals, 76 per cent were in favour of UBC Okanagan, 16 per cent were in support of having OUC become a full status university, and eight per cent were strongly opposed to any changes to OUC. It was a privilege to be in the press conference room when Premier Gordon Campbell announced the creation of UBC Okanagan and Okanagan College last Wednesday. As a business owner I was thrilled with the investment that this will mean for the future of the Okanagan and our residents. Martha Piper, UBC's president, summed up the model by saying that UBC will now be “one great university, two great campuses.” I know that quite a bit has been written since the announcement about the pros and cons of the announcement and what it really means for Okanagan residents. For the Okanagan to now have a distinctive research-intensive university that builds on the achievements of Okanagan University College and the history of UBC is nothing short of phenomenal. A number of business leaders were invited to attend a dinner with Piper that evening. It was a privilege to attend and see Martha in action. She not only brings the credibility of her UBC track record but she is an extraordinary leader with a strong commitment to team work. I appreciate the fact that Martha's vision is to have people from both UBC and OUC chart the future for UBC Okanagan. With UBC Okanagan opening its doors on what is now the north Kelowna campus of OUC in September 2005 with the first UBC degrees to be granted in May 2006, this community is very well positioned in the 21st century of post-secondary education. In my original article I mentioned the strong commercialization track record that UBC has. That is, they have a core competence of partnering with start up companies that have innovative ideas. UBC assists them by performing world class research and spinning the idea off into a successful company that goes to market with its innovation. In anticipation of the potential of a UBC Okanagan being created, I performed a little market research of my own in two areas—firstly with companies and secondly with elementary, middle school and high school students. What I wanted was their perspective on the UBC Okanagan and Okanagan College announcement. Prior to the announcement, I surveyed 50 technology company CEOs and 85 per cent were in support of UBC Okanagan provided that their research needs would be met. The main advantage to 75 per cent of these technology companies was that they would be able to leverage the commercialization credibility of UBC by being able to incubate their ideas in a UBC sponsored research environment. After the announcement I was able to touch bases with a number of these companies. They were even more thrilled than when I first asked their opinion. In fact, they are very much looking forward to Piper's open and inclusive process that will allow them to participate in creating what programs and services UBC Okanagan will provide. I know that there has been varying perspectives from some OUC students and faculty on this issue. I trust that everyone will be treated fairly and that UBC Okanagan and Okanagan College will end up creating even more opportunity for students, faculty and staff than would otherwise have existed. I thought I would also take the opportunity over the March break to talk to elementary, middle school and high school students that I know. Here is a quick summary of the results and their comments: • 82 per cent were in favour of UBC Okanagan and Okanagan College being created. The additional student spaces and increased depth and breadth of options is exciting for the majority of them. • “I want to be one of the first students to enrol in UBC Okanagan. I can't believe that I will be able to go to university right in my own backyard. I honestly thought that that would never happen. By the way, sorry Mom and Dad, but I won't be moving out for at least another five years!” (High school student.) • “I think that we will all benefit from having a university. I just hope that my dad gets to keep his job at OUC—I really want to stay in Kelowna 'cause all of my friends are here.” (Elementary school student). • “I think a university in Kelowna is totally cool.” (Elementary school student. ) • “I have heard that there is a real shortage of trades people. Once I figure out what trade I like, I want to be able to take my training here in Kelowna—will Okanagan College offer this for me?” (Middle school student.) • “I just hope that my parents don't force me to go to this UBC thing—I want the freedom to make my own choices. Do they have rock band training?” (Middle school student.) I love the brutal honesty of kids. They have a humbling effect on all of us. As I wrote previously, I think that now that the UBC Okanagan and Okanagan College announcements have been made, the ball is clearly in the Okanagan community's court. Piper is allowing the people of the Okanagan to help her craft the vision for what this will look like. It is time to get involved in this effort. It is time to take your own survey and find out what businesses, community leaders and students at all levels are thinking. As I surveyed the students, I must admit that I was struck with what an awesome responsibility we have as parents and community leaders. We should all strive to exceed their wildest expectations of what opportunities this could create for them. Although the investment of your time to get involved is sometimes not directly measurable and not always appreciated, I think we must invest in the Okanagan's future together. Together we can eliminate the uncertainties, and leverage the enormous potential that UBC Okanagan and Okanagan College represents to all Okanagan communities. Making UBC Okanagan and Okanagan College a reality will radically change our community, significantly grow our economy and position us very well in a globally competitive marketplace. From my perspective, we need to welcome Martha Piper and the UBC Okanagan team with arms wide open. Steve Burns, CA, CMC, CFP, is the president and CEO of Burns Innovation Group Inc. (www.burnsinnovation.com) and Steve Burns Inc. Chartered Accountant (www.steveburns.ca), which provide consulting and accounting services to entrepreneurs. Call 763-4716 or: |
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