Bruce R. Birmingham and UBC announce $4 million investment in Sauder undergraduate program

The University of British Columbia today announced a $4 million investment in undergraduate education at the Sauder School of Business, sparked by a $2 million commitment from former Scotiabank President and UBC MBA graduate (1971) Bruce R. Birmingham.

His gift, with a co-investment of $2 million from UBC, will serve as the catalyst to help the Sauder School of Business establish a new, revitalized learning facility to house the Bachelor of Commerce program.

“As graduates, we need to step up and give back in the form of time or dollars” says Birmingham. “UBC provided me with a strong foundation for my future. I hope that my gift will offer students an outstanding learning experience so that they may succeed in society and business in the future.”

Birmingham’s gift will support the school’s plans to renovate and expand the existing facility over the next 3 years and its vision of creating a new learning environment that reflects the innovation and excellence of the Bachelor of Commerce program. Major enhancements will include advanced learning technology that will enable students to integrate more easily with the business environment and flexible teaching spaces that encourage creative and collaborative learning techniques. In recognition of the gift, the new facility will be named The Bruce R. Birmingham Commerce Undergraduate Centre.

“Bruce Birmingham’s generous gift will create an outstanding space for undergraduate students at UBC,” says UBC President Martha Piper. “Thanks to his vision and leadership, the Sauder School of Business can take an important step towards implementing its vision for the future of business education.”

“Bruce Birmingham’s gift will enable us to significantly progress and evolve undergraduate education at the Sauder School of Business,” says Dean Daniel F. Muzyka. “By establishing a new leading-edge facility, the School will continue to be a global leader in innovative teaching, research, and business management thinking. We will continue to strengthen the resources we provide to students and the business community here in Canada and around the world.”

For more information, please contact:

Biography of Bruce R. Birmingham

Leanna Yip
Director, Marketing and Communications
Tel: (604)822.0229
Cell: (604)616.0400
leanna.yip@sauder.ubc.ca