Benoit-Antoine Bacon

President and Vice-Chancellor, The University of British Columbia

[Benoit-Antoine Bacon @ubcprez]

Today we wrap up Spring 2026 Convocations at @ubcokanagan. It has been a privilege to share in this moment with the amazing Class of 2026!

Congratulations to our 2,735 graduates—and to the families, friends and communities who have supported them along the way.

This spring also marks an important milestone as UBC Okanagan conferred its first Bachelor of St’át’imc Language Fluency degrees. We are grateful to our partners in Interior Salish communities for their guidance and collaboration on this important program.

[Benoit-Antoine Bacon @ubcprez]

Canada’s AI for All strategy, delivered today by Prime Minister Mark Carney (@MarkJCarney) and Minister Evan Solomon (@EvanLSolomon), marks a significant step towards building an AI ecosystem that advances innovation and benefits Canadians across the country in a trusted and responsible way.

At UBC, we welcome the strategy’s focus on expanding AI literacy, developing highly skilled talent, accelerating research and innovation, and supporting economic growth, while being grounded in responsible AI governance. These commitments depend on the important role post-secondary institutions, like @UBC, play in building Canada’s long-term AI capacity.

With deep interdisciplinary expertise in AI research and application, including in health to improve diagnostics, patient care delivery, and drug development, and in natural resources to support more sustainable practices and climate resilience, UBC is well positioned to contribute to this national effort.

#UBC looks forward to working with government, industry and our community partners to help realize Canada’s AI ambitions in ethical, secure, and innovative ways that deliver lasting benefits for Canadians.

Read the announcement: https://t.co/nUKtg5ylJJ

[Benoit-Antoine Bacon @ubcprez]

Graduation ceremonies for the Class of 2026 begins today at UBC Okanagan! All our congratulations to each and every one of the 2,638 #UBCO graduates as well as families and friends! It is an honour to celebrate this important milestone with you!

[Benoit-Antoine Bacon @ubcprez]

Congratulations to Dr. Rhonda McEwen on being named the next President and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Victoria (@uvic)!

I have known Dr. McEwen for many years and have always appreciated her leadership and strategic thinking, student-centered orientation, commitment to experiential learning and new technologies, and perhaps above all her collegiality and positive energy.

I look forward to welcoming Dr. McEwen to BC and to the Research Universities' Council of British Columbia (RUCBC). All my congratulations Rhonda and the UVic community!

[Benoit-Antoine Bacon @ubcprez]

Congratulations to all the @UBC researchers receiving Canada Impact+ Research Training Awards. We are excited to welcome these outstanding doctoral students and postdoctoral fellows to #UBC – congratulations to all!

Their research will contribute to Canada’s strength in areas including AI, quantum technologies, health and life sciences, critical minerals, climate resilience, food security and much more.

Thank you to Minister Mélanie Joly (@melaniejoly) and the Government of Canada for this investment through the Canada Global Impact+ Research Talent Initiative, which is vital to strengthening Canada’s research ecosystem and helping attract top talent from around the world.

Learn more: https://t.co/baensAkixS

[Benoit-Antoine Bacon @ubcprez]

Today we are wrapping up Spring 2026 Vancouver Convocations at @UBC! 28 amazing ceremonies in our beautiful Chan Centre for the Performing Arts and incredibly over 10,500 students receiving a UBC degree on their way to a successful and self-determined life.

CONGRATULATIONS to all our amazing graduating students and to the families and friends who joined us! It was an honour to share in your celebrations!

Many thanks as always to our wonderful Chancellor Judy Rogers, Provost Gage Averill, the UBC Symphonic Wind Ensemble, our remarkable team of Deans, Associate Deans, Faculty, Staff, Alumni, Volunteers, and finally to our Director of Ceremonies Liz King Osadczuk and her team who again this year steered us through masterfully! #UBCGrad

[Benoit-Antoine Bacon @ubcprez]

It was an honour to confer the honorary degree of Doctor of Science on Sir David MacMillan.

One of the most influential chemists of the 21st century, his pioneering work has transformed modern synthetic chemistry. Awarded the 2021 The Nobel Prize in Chemistry, he co-developed organocatalysis, a groundbreaking approach that has reshaped how chemical reactions are accelerated. His research continues to have far-reaching impact across pharmaceutical development, materials science, and green chemistry worldwide.

Congratulations Dr MacMillan and all 2026 @UBC Graduates!

[Benoit-Antoine Bacon @ubcprez]

It was an honour to confer the honorary degree of Doctor of Science on Professor Robert Gentleman.

An internationally recognized leader in statistics, computational biology, and open-source software, and a proud #UBC alumnus, he has transformed how researchers across disciplines work with data. As co-creator of the programming language R, now a global standard for data analysis and graphics, his contributions have had a profound and lasting impact on science and innovation worldwide.

Congratulations Dr Gentleman and all 2026 @UBC Graduates!

[Benoit-Antoine Bacon @ubcprez]

It was an honour to confer the honorary degree of Doctor of Laws upon Dr. Alika Lafontaine (@AlikaMD).

An accomplished physician, academic, author, and leader, he has helped shape a more equitable and inclusive future for healthcare in Canada. As the first Indigenous President of the Canadian Medical Association, he advanced a national vision grounded in reconciliation, equity and patient-centered care. His leadership continues to drive meaningful change and improve health outcomes for communities across the country.

Congratulations Dr Lafontaine and all 2026 @UBC Graduates!

[Benoit-Antoine Bacon @ubcprez]

We are so proud to confer the honorary degree of Doctor of Laws upon Warren Spitz.

A #UBC alumnus, entrepreneur, and philanthropist, he has demonstrated a lifelong commitment to education and community advancement. Through visionary initiatives such as the Spitz Centre for Indigenous Business Education and the Spitz Fellows Program, he has created so many meaningful opportunities for learning and leadership. His contributions continue to strengthen UBC’s community and inspire future generations.

Congratulations Dr Spitz and all 2026 @UBC Graduates!
@UBCSauderSchool

[Benoit-Antoine Bacon @ubcprez]

Chancellor Judy Rogers and I were very pleased to confer the honorary degree of Doctor of Science on Peter and Rosemary Grant.

Distinguished #UBC alumni, they have made groundbreaking contributions to ecology and evolutionary biology. In particular, their landmark 40-year study of Darwin’s finches in the Galapagos Islands stands among the most influential research in adaptive evolution. Through their work, they have deepened our understanding of natural selection and the processes that drive evolutionary change over time. We celebrate their extraordinary impact on science and their enduring legacy of discovery.

Congratulations Drs Grant and all 2026 @UBC Graduates!

@ubcscience

[Benoit-Antoine Bacon @ubcprez]

It's Convocation season at @UBC! We are so proud to confer the honorary degree of Doctor of Laws upon @RyanBeedie.

A #UBC alumnus, he has demonstrated exceptional leadership in business and philanthropy. Through Beedie Luminaries, founded in 2018, he has created transformative opportunities for so many students facing socio-economic barriers by providing both financial support and mentorship. His remarkable philanthropy and generosity has had such a profound and lasting impact on communities across BC and beyond.

Congratulations Dr Beedie and all 2026 UBC Graduates!

[Benoit-Antoine Bacon @ubcprez]

It was a pleasure to confer the honorary degree of Doctor of Laws on Shawn Ah‑up‑wa‑eek Atleo.

A Hereditary Chief of the Ahousaht First Nation, he has devoted his life to advancing Indigenous governance, education, and cultural renewal. His leadership as National Chief of the Assembly of First Nations helped strengthen nation-to-nation relationships and foster constructive dialogue. We celebrate his remarkable contributions and enduring impact.

Congratulations Dr Atleo and all 2026 @UBC Graduates!

[Benoit-Antoine Bacon @ubcprez]

It was a pleasure to confer the honorary degree of Doctor of Letters on Diana Marie Schutz.

For more than four decades, she has been a defining force in comics and graphic storytelling as an editor, writer, teacher, and mentor. Her dedication to nurturing creative voices and elevating the medium has helped expand its literary scope and cultural significance.

Congratulations Dr Shutz and all 2026 @UBC Graduates!

[Benoit-Antoine Bacon @ubcprez]

Convocation season at @UBC! Chancellor Judy Rogers and I were proud to confer the honorary degree of Doctor of Letters on Daphne Marlatt.

A poet, novelist, editor, and cultural innovator, she stands among Canada’s most influential literary voices. For more than five decades, she has expanded the boundaries of Canadian writing through work that is deeply attentive to language, place, and the layered histories of communities.

Congratulations Dr Marlatt and all 2026 UBC Graduates!

[University of British Columbia @UBC]

We’re just one week away from Spring 2026 graduation at UBC Vancouver. 🎓 From May 20–28, our community comes together to celebrate your hard work, determination and achievement. Tuum Est. It is Yours.

Mark the moment by tagging us or sharing your experience with #UBCGrad.

Find everything you need to know about graduation: https://t.co/1yq6SiDZJ3

[Benoit-Antoine Bacon @ubcprez]

@Dave_Eby @jessieksunner @KahlonRav @BrendaBaileyBC @BowinnMa @NikiSharma2 Thank you everyone for spending time with us, and for your support of @UBC!

[Benoit-Antoine Bacon @ubcprez]

Wonderful event in #Victoria with our alumni, donors, students, faculty, and friends—along with many Members of the Legislative Assembly, where we featured the groundbreaking research of Peter Zandstra, Lisa Tobber, and Navin Ramankutty.

[Benoit-Antoine Bacon @ubcprez]

Thankful for the opportunity to visit with Premier @Dave_Eby
and Ministers @jessieksunner, @KahlonRav, @BrendaBaileyBC, @BowinnMa, and @NikiSharma2 as well as many other MLAs.