June 29, 2021
Dear colleagues and friends,
I am delighted to share with you that the UBC Ritsumeikan Academic Exchange Programs, which have operated at UBC since 1991, will find a new academic home in the Faculty of Education as of July 1, 2021.
The UBC Ritsumeikan Academic Exchange Programs (UBC-Rits) is UBC’s longest standing and largest academic exchange program. Since 1991 it has welcomed almost 2900 students from Ritsumeikan University, located in Kyoto, Japan, for a full year of undergraduate study. Each year, the program brings 75 Japanese students to UBC to live and study in an integrated academic and residential environment. The program also provides UBC students with an opportunity to gain international and intercultural experience and insight by living with Rits students in student residences and by taking specially designed, integrated courses with Ritsumeikan students.
Dr. Reg D’Silva (LLED), our incoming Associate Dean, Equity and Strategic Programs, will provide strategic oversight of the UBC-Rits program. Dr. Ryan Deschambault will continue to serve as the program’s Acting Academic Director, and Ms. Sheri Wenman who has been associated with the program for over 30 years, will continue as the Program Manager. I offer my sincere congratulations and thanks to Dr. D’Silva, the UBC-Rits team, and Dr. George Belliveau, the LLED Department Head, for their commitment to the program and their work in facilitating the program’s transition into the Faculty of Education.
Best,
Blye
