St. John's College, University of British Columbia

St. John's College, University of British Columbia

Motto	"Light and Truth"
Type	International residential college for graduate students, postdoctoral fellows, and visiting scholars at the University of British Columbia
Established	1997
Principal	Dr. Henry Yu 余全毅
Postgraduates	165 graduate students
Location	Vancouver , British Columbia , Canada
Campus	Urban, overlooking the ocean and mountains
Affiliations	University of British Columbia
Website	stjohns.ubc.ca

St. John's College, University of British Columbia
Traditional Chinese	聖約翰學院
Simplified Chinese	圣约翰学院
Transcriptions Standard Mandarin Hanyu Pinyin Shèng Yuēhàn Xuéyuàn

St. John's College is one of two graduate student residential colleges at the University of British Columbia which are modeled on the Oxbridge collegiate system, the other being Green College. It is a community for graduate students and postdoctoral researchers, with an international focus. St. John's College maintains close ties with Green College.

Currently the college consists of a residential community of 165 graduate students, postdoctoral researchers, and visiting scholars. The College is located at the West end of the UBC campus, near Wreck Beach. Aside from taking up residence at St. John's College, residential membership entails active involvement in the social and academic aspects of College life. Involvement takes the form of participation on various social and academic committees, and attendance at functions and lectures sponsored by or otherwise linked with the College. Dining together is an integral part of the St. John's College experience and the College motto is "The World Around Our Table."

On August 20, 2024, the Premier David Eby and Minister of Housing Ravi Kahlon of BC, along with UBC President Benoit-Antoine Bacon announced the joint funding partnership between the Province of British Columbia and the University of British Columbia of a $560 million project—the single largest expansion of affordable student housing in the history of both UBC and in the Province of British Columbia.

Activities

Academic Lectures and Interdisciplinary Groups

Residents regularly organize talks and forums on current events around the globe, building upon the College's international diversity as well as UBC's global scholarly expertise. Drawing upon the strong bonds of trust and communication developed within the SJC community, residents and guests of the College are able to discuss difficult and often contentious issues in an atmosphere of mutual respect in which everyone can listen to and learn from each other.

Social and Community Activities

A diverse array of resident groups and committees are active at the college, such as: Academic Committee, Arts Committee, Environment Committee, Pride Club, Sports Committee and Language Tables.

UBC Community Hub

The College partners with other departments at UBC for initiatives like UBC Hot Lunch.

History

St. John's College - UBC was founded by alumni of St. John's University, Shanghai, which was shut down by China in 1952. To keep the school's traditions alive, SJU alumni (called Johanneans) funded three academic institutions around the world bearing the name of St. John's. They established St. John's University in Taiwan in 1967 and St. John's College UBC in 1997.

Notable alumni

Dr. Mathabo Tsepa—High Commissioner of Lesotho to Canada

External links

• Official website
• The website of a former resident: http://martin.swift.is/sjc/ (pictures from 2004 to 2006).