Community Engagement Perspectives, by Susan Mide Kiss, Vice-President, UFV Community Engagement Over the past several weeks, I have had the opportunity to participate in a number of conversations across British Columbia, including UFV's Grounded Innovation 3.0 Summit, the RBC Community Partner Event in Vancouver, and the Surrey & White Rock Board of Trade's Education for…

The University of the Fraser Valley (UFV) welcomed researchers, elected officials, policy-makers, agriculture industry leaders, farmers, students, and community partners to its Chilliwack campus May 13 for the Grounded Innovation 3.0 Sustainable Food and Agriculture Summit.  Hosted by Dr. Lenore Newman, director of UFV’s Food and Agriculture Institute and co-chair of the Sustainable Food Systems for Canada (SF4C) national…

Shervin Azar was 13 years old when he first stood in front of the Dragons. But the moment wasn’t just about entrepreneurship — it was part of a much longer journey of finding his voice, a journey that would later lead him to create the UFV Volunteer Network, connecting students with community organizations across the Fraser Valley.  Standing on national television and…

The University of the Fraser Valley (UFV) welcomed agriculture leaders, alumni, and sector partners to campus on February 10 to mark Canada’s Agriculture Day and highlight the partnerships that support applied agricultural education.  Approximately 55 representatives from farms, agri-food businesses, and industry organizations gathered for campus tours and discussions focused on strengthening collaboration between UFV…

Michael Hitch’s fascination with the natural world began long before he became a world-renowned scientist.   “It all started when I was a kid,” he recalls. “My parents had a cottage in Haliburton, and I’d grab my dad’s claw hammer and go out back and bang on a rock outcrop to develop my rock collection.”  …

Cranberry sauce is a staple on Canadian tables during the holiday season, enjoyed by millions of people.   But what if this delicious seasonal favourite became a rarity? Cranberry crops will be impacted by climate change in the years to come, according to new research by the University of the Fraser Valley (UFV), funded by the B.C. Cranberry Growers…

Two UFV researchers from seemingly disparate backgrounds have found that by combining their strengths, they can offer support to Indigenous groups in northern Canada interested in improving food security. Dr. Cindy Jardine and Dr. Lauren Erland, both federally funded Canada Research Chairs at UFV (Cindy in Health and Community and Lauren in Berry Horticulture), decided…

Sometimes when conducting research, scientists make unexpected discoveries that change how we understand the world.  In Dr. Harley Gordon’s case, the unexpected discovery came while he was studying how salicylic acid is synthesized in plants. Harley, an assistant professor in biology at the University of the Fraser Valley, was part of a team that recently…

  Five researchers from the University of the Fraser Valley have been recognized on the 2025 Stanford/Elsevier Top 2% Scientists list, a global ranking of the world’s most influential researchers.   Honourees include Drs. Lauren Erland, Javad Hadian, Michael Hitch, Faisal Naeem, and Christophe Schinckus — recognized for their outstanding citation impact and contributions in their…

When Alison Reeves tuned her TV to the England-Samoa game in the Women’s Rugby World Cup on August 30, she was more invested than the average Canadian. And when #17 for England entered the pitch shortly after the second half started, Alison’s excitement soared. It was her daughter, Mackenzie Carson, 27, representing the country where…

A University of the Fraser Valley alumna is blazing a trail in a traditionally male-dominated field  and helping other women find their way.  Cassandra Shewchuk (BSc Honours Physical Geography, 2020) graduated from UFV just five years ago but is already viewed as a leader and role model. She was recently elected to the board of…

For kids in grades 4–7, UFV’s Science Rocks! summer day camp is more than just a week out of the house; it’s a hands-on adventure in discovery. Campers create explosive (but still safe!) reactions in real science labs, explore wildlife and rocks, and measure the world around them like true scientists.  Each week-long camp features…