Director's Message

 

Dear alumni and friends,

 

Spring convocation is fast approaching at UBC and the Vancouver School of Economics is excited to soon have a new crop of graduates joining the ranks of our talented alumni.

 

Reflective of the spring season, graduation marks the end of one chapter, and the beginning of another. With new beginnings in mind for this month’s newsletter, we’re proud to showcase three recent Bachelor of International Economics alumni who are now living out their next chapters in New York, Chicago, and Toronto. These young alumni speak about why the BIE program was right for them, and they demonstrate why economics training is so valuable.

 

We’ve also caught up with alumnus Yan Carrière-Swallow (BA’06) who works as a senior economist at the International Monetary Fund. Yan credits his UBC degree with much of the success he’s found today. His achievements in the realm of global policy analysis serve as an inspiring reminder of the significant impact our alumni can have in their respective industries.

 

In faculty news, a well-deserved congratulations to Dr. Claudio Ferraz for his appointment to the National Bureau of Economics Research, and to Dr. John Helliwell for another year of co-authoring the World Happiness Report.

 

Looking ahead, we look forward to announcing the arrival of several new faculty members this summer. In the meantime, may you enjoy a springtime full of hope and renewal.


Until next time,
Dr. Patrick Francois, VSE Professor & Director

 

Faculty News

 
Flag of Finland

Nordic nation named happiest in the world for 2022

For a fifth consecutive year, Finland has been named the world’s happiest country, according to the World Happiness Report, co-authored by VSE Professor Emeritus Dr. John Helliwell.
Photo of UBC economist Dr. Ferraz

VSE's Dr. Claudio Ferraz joins National Bureau of Economics Research

Dr. Ferraz has been appointed a research associate of the NBER, an influential non-profit research organization and a leading think tank for economic policy.

 

Alumni News

 
Photo of UBC alumnus Yan Carriere-Swallow

Yan Carrière-Swallow (BA’06)

As a senior economist at the International Monetary Fund in Washington, D.C., Carrière-Swallow uses economic analysis to help inform policy discussions on big global issues—like climate change and digitization—and advises governments around the world on monetary and fiscal policies.

Jenny Liu (BIE'21)

For Liu, the Bachelor of International Economics program broadened her perspective to a truly global one; a skill she’s taken with her as she pursues graduate studies in urban tech at Cornell University in New York City.

Carla Colina Cortez (BIE'21)

For Cortez, studying international economics was an opportunity to use the scientific method to satisfy her deep curiousity of the world. She applies the same techniques now as a research professional at the University of Chicago Booth School of Business.

Yazan Al-Asad (BIE'21)

For Al-Asad, the BIE program offered him a technical, practical, and analytical skillset. He now uses what he learned in the BIE program working in data analysis for Uber in Toronto.

 

Events

 

Spring Graduation 2022

Vancouver School of Economics Convocation Ceremony

Friday, May 27, 1:30 PM

Be in the next newsletter

 

Do you have a great story to share with the VSE community?

Submit your content suggestions here: https://economics.ubc.ca/content-submission/