Media Advisory | Sep. 7, 2005

International University Presidents Help Mark Official Opening of UBC Okanagan in Kelowna

Events: Opening ceremony, colloquium and music concert will help inaugurate Canada’s newest university campus

Date: Thursday, September 8, 2005

Times and Places:

• Opening ceremony and academic procession :
  12:30 - 1:30 p.m.
  
  Media are welcome to attend the invitation-only Opening Ceremony and Academic Procession event in the UBC Okanagan Gymnasium, or via live webcast at www.ubc.ca/webcast.

• Academic colloquium with presidents of four international universities :
  3 p.m. UBC Okanagan Gymnasium

• Free music concert :
  7:30 p.m. UBC Okanagan Gymnasium featuring internationally acclaimed opera singer Judith Forst, a UBC alumna

• Campus life showcase :
  11:30 - 2:30 p.m. UBC Okanagan Courtyard

Parking: Lot E, first left on University Way. No permit required.

UBC Okanagan is expecting more than 1,400 students, faculty and community residents to attend the 12:30 p.m. formal opening ceremony.

The ceremony will be followed at 3 p.m. by an academic colloquium on global citizenship with a panel of international university presidents including:

• President Euh Yoon-dae (Korea University)
• President Monte Cassim (Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University)
• President Shih Choon Fong (National University of Singapore)
• President Rafael Rangel Sostmann (Tec de Monterrey, Mexico)
• UBC President Martha Piper

Then, at 7:30 p.m., mezzo soprano Judith Forst will perform together with the UBC Opera Ensemble, the UBC Symphonic Wind Ensemble and the Penticton Academy of Music Children's Choir in the UBC Okanagan Gymnasium.

For media access to the opening ceremony or colloquium, contact Bonnie Bates Gibbs at 250-807-9166.

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Contact

Scott Macrae, Director
UBC Public Affairs
Cell: 604.764.7508
E-mail: scott.macrae@ubc.ca

Bonnie Bates Gibbs
Associate Director
UBC Okanagan Public Affairs
Tel: 250.807.9166
Cell: 250.317.4498
E-mail: bonnie.bates-gibbs@ubc.ca