Transforming Health and Healthcare For All

The University of British Columbia (UBC) launched the School of Biomedical Engineering (SBME) in 2017, making it the first inter-faculty school at UBC, bridging engineering and medicine and fostering convergent research and collaborative education models. Since then, the School has grown immensely, opening Canada’s first purpose-built biomedical engineering facility, attracting exceptional faculty, top-notch students and funding. To maintain momentum, the School engaged Junxion to help develop a new strategic plan, one that would focus its energy and resources, guide decision-making, and continue its impact in the bio-tech ecosystem.

The Challenge

Since its inception in 2017, SBME has emerged as a leader in biomedical engineering research, education and innovation. More than $35 million in research funding and industry contracts have helped establish the School as a valued partner in the health innovation ecosystem. These accomplishments demonstrate the School’s impressive momentum, which they are committed to maintaining and building upon. A strategic plan was needed to align the School’s interest holders, clarify its direction and priorities, and ensure continued progress.

How We Helped 

Junxion began by mapping SBME’s context—reviewing existing plans, ecosystem research, peer institutions, and market dynamics—to clarify the strategic choices ahead. We then designed an inclusive, stakeholder‑centred process, engaging leadership, advisory committees, the Faculties of Applied Science and Medicine, and staff, faculty, and students in immersive conversations about SBME’s strengths, ambitions, and opportunities. Through two high‑energy workshops, we brought these diverse voices together to surface points of alignment, make trade‑offs visible, and co-create the pillars and priorities of the new strategic plan. Working closely with the SBME team, we translated this insight into a focused, actionable roadmap to guide decisions, investments, and partnerships.

Measuring Success 

The stakeholder-centric approach helped the School clarify the impact they seek to create and where to focus its energy to ensure it is achieved. By unearthing what matters to its stakeholders, the new strategic plan emphasizes strategic ecosystem engagement, strengthening ties through UBC and with industry partners. It deepens clinical integration, places greater emphasis on research translation and innovation and builds a culture of shared success and belonging. With these priorities in focus, SBME will surely sustain and surpass its current leadership position in Canada and beyond.