University of British Columbia Notable Alumni

The University of British Columbia (UBC) is one of the top universities in Canada, ranking 38th in the QS World University Rankings 2025. Today, some are Prime Ministers, actors, CEOs, and other famous celebrities, but once, they were students at this prestigious university.

The University of British Columbia (UBC) was founded in 1908. It is a public research university known for its strong focus on innovation and academic excellence. UBC has produced eight Nobel laureates, three prime ministers of Canada, and 65 Olympic medalists, including 19 gold medals.

In this article, we have highlighted some of the notable alumni of the University of British Columbia. The list includes CEOs, Prime Ministers, and other distinguished personalities. If you are planning to study at this university in Canada, then this blog will help you.

Related Read: Top Universities in Canada

List of University of British Columbia Alumni

The alumni network of the University of British Columbia (UBC) is diverse, with graduates from 120 countries across the world. Here is the list of notable alumni of UBC:

1. Justin Trudeau: Current Prime Minister of Canada
2. Kim Campbell: Former Prime Minister of Canada
3. John Turner: Former Prime Minister of Canada
4. Bertram Brockhouse: Nobel Laureate (Physics, 1994)
5. Bjarni Tryggvason: Astronaut
6. Paul Lee: Former president of Electronic Arts
7. Belinda Wong: President of Starbucks China

Let’s explore more information about them.

Justin Trudeau

The current Prime Minister of Canada, Justin Trudeau, needs no introduction. He became the 23rd Prime Minister of Canada in 2015. Trudeau completed a Bachelor of Education degree at the University of British Columbia (UBC) in 1998. In the 2000s, he actively participated in politics, first becoming a Member of Parliament (MP) before leading the country as Prime Minister. He is also one of the notable alumni of McGill University.

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• What to Do If Your Canada Student Visa Delayed?
• Top Study Destinations Beyond Canada

Kim Campbell

Kim Campbell is the first and only female Prime Minister of Canada. Before serving as the 19th Prime Minister from June 25 to November 4, 1993, she was a distinguished diplomat, lawyer, and writer. Campbell is an alumna of the University of British Columbia (UBC), where she studied political science and law before entering politics.

John Turner

John Turner was the 17th Prime Minister of Canada, serving from June to September 1984. Before entering politics, he was a successful lawyer. Turner graduated from the University of British Columbia (UBC) with a BA (Honours) in 1949. Later, he was awarded a Rhodes Scholarship and pursued further studies at the University of Oxford.

Bertram Brockhouse

A renowned Canadian physicist, Bertram Brockhouse earned his BA degree from the University of British Columbia (UBC) in 1947. He was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1994 for his contributions to the development of neutron scattering. The research of Bertram Brockhouse helped scientists understand materials better at the atomic level.

Bjarni Tryggvason

Bjarni Tryggvason was a Canadian astronaut and engineer. He studied engineering physics at the University of British Columbia (UBC) before joining the Canadian Space Agency. In 1997, he flew as a payload specialist on Space Shuttle Discovery (STS-85), which conducted important scientific experiments in space. His contributions to aerospace engineering and research remain significant.

Paul Lee

Did you play Battlefield, Need for Speed, The Sims, or FIFA in your childhood? All of these games were developed by Electronic Arts (EA). Paul Lee, a well-known Canadian business executive, is the former president of EA. He studied at the University of British Columbia (UBC) before building a successful career in the gaming industry. Under his leadership, EA expanded its global presence and played a key role in shaping the future of interactive entertainment.

Belinda Wong

Belinda Wong is the President of Starbucks China and a renowned business executive. She studied at the University of British Columbia (UBC), which helped her establish a successful career in the retail and hospitality industry. Under her leadership, Starbucks China has expanded rapidly, enhancing customer experience and introducing innovative business strategies.

Notable Alumni Articles of Other Canadian Universities

• List of University of Toronto Alumni
• List of Conestoga College Alumni

Well, that’s a wrap! If we missed any important names from UBC’s notable alumni network, let us know in the comments below. If you want to get admission in University of British Columbia, don't forget to check the page. Else, you can contact our Shiksha Study Abroad Counsellors team.