Alumni Showcase: URSY

Read about the successful graduates of the MEL in Urban Systems program, who have gained the technical skills and business knowledge to increase their employment opportunities and advance their careers.

Our students are diverse – coming from across Canada and around the world to learn from renowned UBC experts and advance their technical knowledge through project-based courses covering all aspects of water management. They also learn the language of business, gaining fundamental insight into business strategy and leadership through courses offered by UBC Sauder’s Robert H. Lee Graduate School.

It’s a unique interdisciplary degree program that is enabling our graduates to move into new industries, take on positions of increased responsibility and confidently lead teams and complex projects.

Learn more about this innovative professional master’s degree from our students.

Read their stories

Imagine how the full-time (12 months) or part-time (24 months) MEL in Urban Systems could benefit you.

Grace Sonmezsoy

A management consultant with 20 years of experience, a degree in civil and environmental engineering, an MSc in Transport and an MBA, Grace Sonmezsoy pursued the MEL in Urban Systems to update her skills so she can better address the complex challenges facing our cities.

Alejandra Padron

Alejandra Padron valued the integrated nature of the MEL in Urban Systems – both for its holistic approach to urban systems infrastructure and for the business and leadership courses, which enable students to become “better architects, engineers and planners.”

Daphne Mazarura

For Daphne Mazarura, the MEL in Urban Systems has expanded her education and professional experience in planning, giving her the technical knowledge to implement sustainable solutions in urban infrastructure projects.

Colin Jeffery

The MEL in Urban Systems enabled Colin Jeffery to pivot into a new field, and he’s now using his expertise in engineering and business to help clients in the municipal and utilities sectors better manage their infrastructure assets.

Syed Athar Bukhari

The 12-month Urban Systems program was an ideal opportunity for Syed Bukhari to gain a Canadian perspective on urban infrastructure systems and deepen his technical, leadership and project management skills.

Kevin Chen

Finding ways to make our urban landscape more sustainable and livable requires a big-picture understanding of a range of multidisciplinary issues — from engineering to policy development. Kevin Chen is up to the challenge.

Kimberly Bueckert

With her practical and academic knowledge of urban infrastructure development and project management, Kimberly Bueckert is ready to bring her holistic and systems-thinking approach to complex urban challenges.

Mustafa Khalid

Obtaining his Master of Engineering Leadership in Urban Systems was “absolutely worth the investment of time and money” says Mustafa Khalid, who is now working in a managerial role in the construction industry.

Application Process

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Urban Systems

Application Deadlines

2023 Application Deadlines

The online application portal for 2024 admission opens on January 1, 2023.

Round 1: March 30, 2023
Round 2: June 30, 2023
Round 3 (Canadian Citizens, Permanent Residents of Canada, and US citizens only): August 30, 2023

See how to apply section for full details.

How to Apply

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Eligibility Requirements

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