Fostering innovation in scholarship

Complete. At their March 1, 2024 meeting, Senate approved and recommended to the Board of Governors that it also approve that UVic offer UBC's Physical Therapy and Speech Language Pathology distributed programs. Expansion of Island Medical Program began in August 2024.

VPAC; Senate Committee on Planning; Senate; Board of Governors

Complete and ongoing. In 2023, UVic secured provincial funding for an expansion of 48 graduate seats in Health Information Science (2024/45–2028/29).

In 2025, received provincial approval for an accelerated NP program.

Work is underway to develop new health programs, led by the Dean of Health.

VPAC; Faculty of Health

Complete. The Faculty of Health became operational on May 1, 2025.

Dr. Tammy Hopper, the inaugural Dean, began a five-year term on May 1, 2025.

In spring 2023, established a steering committee and collaborative governance structure with the Vice-Presidents Academics of UVic, Royal Roads University and Camosun College. Established sub-committees and working groups focused on academic programming, academic policies, and student supports.

VPAC; Student Affairs; Faculty of Engineering and Computer Science; Continuing Studies; UVic Libraries

UVic will offer a variety of continuing studies and professional programming beginning Fall 2025. Courses in additional areas and disciplines (e.g., humanities, fine arts) may be offered in future years.

The Computing Gateway program, originally planned for Fall 2025, did not recruit sufficient students to proceed; however, it remains a priority and is planned for delivery in 2026.

Completed in September 2023 in consultation with the 2023/24 Accessibility Committee, co-chaired by Deputy Provost and Executive Director, Facilities Management. Will review and update regularly, and every three years at minimum.

VPAC; VPFO; Executive Council

Created new resources for instructors on universal design for learning (UDL) principles in 2023, available on Teach Anywhere. Continuing to enhance resources as needed while also exploring other options to support inclusive and access-centred education.

VPAC; LTI; Faculties

Formed a working group in 2023/24 to look at the use of Generative AI technologies in teaching and learning, with consideration to academic integrity. Guidelines and a position statement were shared with Senate and then with instructors in 2023/24 through Teach Anywhere.

VPAC; LTI

Complete. UVic's Digital Learning Plan launched April 2024 following a year of consultations with internal and external stakeholders.

In progress. Programs under development include professional postgraduate certificates/diplomas, Masters, Doctorates, micro-credentials, and a course-based LLM in Indigenous Laws. 

In 2024/25, Senate approved UVic’s new Doctor of Engineering (DEng), a professional doctorate designed to prepare engineers for leadership roles in addressing complex, real-world challenges. The program will welcome its first students in Fall 2026.

Develop an Academic Commons and the Kula Institute to strengthen research-enriched teaching, support trusted AI and digital scholarship, and enhance UVic’s national and international leadership in knowledge futures.

In progress. The Budget Model Working Group completed their research and consultations in summer 2023, culminating with a report that was shared with Executive Council, Deans' Council, and Chairs and Directors.

A Budget Design Committee developed a series of recommendations for a new budget model based on the findings from the Budget Model Working Group, and shared recommendations with President's Leadership Council at an all-day retreat in December 2024. Updates on this multi-year initiative are available on the project website.

As part of the budget model work, VPAC hosted presentations and forums with Deans, Chairs and Directors, and Senate beginning in 2023/24.

Additional resources expected once the new budget model has been approved by Executive Council and implementation is underway.

Complete and ongoing. The VPAC and VPFO host annual budget townhalls and continue to share timely communications and reports with leaders, Senate, Board, faculty and staff on enrolment and budget throughout the year.

The annual Planning and Budget Framework is submitted to the Board of Governors in March and shared with campus once approved.

Complete. Dashboards developed and shared with Deans in 2023/24 include: section sizes, enrolment, fundraising and research. Additional enrolment and Faculty composition dashboards were rolled out by Institutional Planning and Analysis in 2025, with demonstrations to Deans, Chairs and Directors. PowerBI reports to support academic units with program reviews are expected in 2025.

In progress. Ongoing consultation with Deans and other stakeholders; identifying institutional gaps and developing shared revenue models.