Northern British Columbia Graduate Student Society (NBCGSS)

Our Partnership Philosophy

The Northern British Columbia Graduate Student Society (NBCGSS) values partnerships and collaborations as fundamental to creating meaningful impact within the UNBC community and beyond. We believe that working together with diverse organizations, community groups, and stakeholders amplifies our collective ability to address student needs and broader social challenges.

Our primary focus is serving our graduate student members by providing essential services, advocacy, and opportunities for personal and professional development. We then extend this commitment to the broader UNBC community, recognizing that a thriving university environment benefits all students, faculty, and staff. Through strategic partnerships, we connect the community to the university by leveraging the knowledge, expertise, and passion of graduate students to benefit the broader Prince George community and Northern BC region, while providing meaningful career development, professional growth, and learning experiences for our graduate student members in return.

NBCGSS is always open to exploring new collaborative opportunities that benefit the UNBC community, foster learning, promote wellness, and create positive change.

For collaboration and partnerships on events, projects, initiatives, and other opportunities that benefit the UNBC community, contact gssoffice@unbc.ca

Food Security & Community Development Partnerships

Food Security & Community Development Partnerships

Building Capacity, Fighting Hunger: NBCGSS × United Way BC

Description: Through the United Way BC Work Experience Opportunities Grant (WEOG), the Northern British Columbia Graduate Students’ Society (NBCGSS) is strengthening food security for approximately 600 graduate students at UNBC while creating meaningful employment pathways for individuals facing barriers to work. With $5,000 in grant funding, NBCGSS launched a paid 200-hour Food Bank Operations Assistant placement, expanding the capacity of the confidential UNBC Food Bank – operated in collaboration with the Salvation Army Food Bank. This partnership reflects a shared commitment to community well-being, inclusive employment, and sustainable support systems in Northern BC.

Foodbank Garden Project with OASIS and PG PIRG

Partnership Focus: Sustainable food security for graduate students and newcomer support

Collaborative Projects:

  • Community Garden Initiative
    • Hands-on sustainable gardening experience for graduate students
    • Direct contribution to NBCGSS Food Bank through harvest programs
    • Support for students facing food insecurity through harvest sharing
    • Reference letter programs for volunteers
    • Partnership with OASIS Settlement Services supporting newcomers to Prince George
    • NBCGSS Contact: gssoffice@unbc.ca
    • OASIS website: https://www.anewoasis.org/
    • PG PIRG Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pgpirg/?hl=en
Cultural & Educational Partnerships

Cultural & Educational Partnerships

Northern Women’s Centre and PG PIRG

Cultural & Educational Partnerships

Partnership Focus: Creative collaboration and networking

Collaborative Events:

Indigenous Education Partnerships

Partnership Focus: Indigenous culture preservation and education

Collaborative Events:

  • Métis Workshop – Learn Michif with Briana Greer (January 30, 2025)
    • Virtual cultural education led by NBCGSS Director of Indigenous Students’ Affairs
    • Preservation and teaching of Michif language and Métis heritage
    • Zoom Meeting ID: 358 046 2295 | Passcode: 12345
    • Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/p/DFatX1ovx-b/?hl=en
Professional Development & Industry Partnerships

Professional Development & Industry Partnerships

Industry Career Panel Partnership
Partnership Focus: Professional development and career transition support

Collaborative Events:

  • Industry Panel – Student to Professional Transition (January 28, 2025)
    • NBCGSS Industry Night featuring guests:
      • Travis Stringer – RBC
      • Umair Haroon – CIBC
      • Furqana Khan – Northern Health
      • Rahim Jafari – Formula Contractors
      • Mostafa Dorosti – SLR Consulting
    • Career transition guidance and networking opportunities
    • Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/p/DFLP1gePVc2/?hl=en

World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO)

Partnership Focus: International intellectual property education

Collaborative Events:

Instagram post: https://www.instagram.com/p/C2ulZEQrJN_/?hl=en

Intellectual Property Protection and Scholarly Achievements (February 1, 2024)

International organization collaboration

Virtual education on intellectual property rights for scholars

Community Advocacy & Rights Education Partnerships

Community Advocacy & Rights Education Partnerships

Multi-Organizational Human Rights Initiative

Partnership Focus: Building inclusive communities through legal rights education

Collaborative Events:

  • Northern BC Building More Inclusive Communities Workshop (April 5, 2024)
    • Partnership with Immigrant and Multicultural Services Society (IMSS) of Prince George
    • Funded by Canadian Heritage and Resilience BC
    • Supported by: UNBC International Office, NBCGSS, UNBC Northern Women’s Centre, UNBC Iranian Students Association (UISA), UNBC Northern Ismaili Student Association (NISA), and Model United Nations (MUN) UNBC
    • Legal rights education delivered by experienced Human Rights and Labour Law Lawyer
    • Registration: https://forms.gle/gvDXMHLsKrSoF7C6A
    • Contact: danesh@unbc.ca
    • Instagram Post: https://www.instagram.com/p/C5RSIh7AUix/?hl=en
Recreation & Community Building Partnerships

Recreation & Community Building Partnerships

UNBC Rackets Sports Club

Partnership Focus: Graduate student engagement through recreational activities

Collaborative Events:

Gaming Community Events

Partnership Focus: Social engagement with community service integration

Events:

Northern Sports Centre Summer Activities

Partnership Focus: Year-round recreational engagement and alumni connection

Collaborative Programs:

Health & Wellness Partnerships

Health & Wellness Partnerships

Health & Wellness Partnerships

Positive Living North – Sexual Health Education

Some Collaborative Events:

  • Understanding Sexual Health: STBBI & HIV Awareness Workshop (January 30, 2025)
  • Healthy Relationships & Gender Identity Workshop (February 2, 2024)

Partnership Focus: Graduate student mental health and academic pressure management

Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) Northern BC

Collaborative Events:

  • Academic Pressures and Student Mental Health Workshop (January 29, 2025)
    • Led by Dr. Elaine J. Laberge (CMHA Northern BC Executive Director), Grace Lekwauwa (CMHA Administrative Assistant), and Pomaa Arthur (CMHA Program Manager)
    • Addressing critical intersection of academic pressures and graduate student wellbeing
    • Instagram post: https://www.instagram.com/p/DFa4IGPSeZQ/?hl=en
Environmental Sustainability Partnerships

Environmental Sustainability Partnerships

REAPS, UNBC Sustainability Office, and PG PIRG

Partnership Focus: Environmental sustainability education and food waste reduction

Collaborative Events:

  • Food Waste & Sustainability Workshop (January 30, 2025)
    • Multi-organizational collaboration addressing campus sustainability
    • Vermicomposting education and carbon footprint awareness
    • Integration of sustainable products promotion through The Good Store
    • Instagram Documentation: https://www.instagram.com/p/DFbIEYZTtBH/?hl=en