VIU launches United Way campaign at Nanaimo campus
November 3, 2009
Vancouver Island University believes in building strong ties to the community. That’s why for the third year in a row, VIU President Dr. Ralph Nilson’s office is supporting the United Way Loaned Representative initiative. VIU Customer Service Representative Jenna Stephenson has been ‘loaned’ to United Way Central and Northern Vancouver Island (UWCNVI) to assist with it’s annual fundraising... Read more
VIU jazz studies lead to notable career
November 2, 2009
If you watch some of the hottest shows on TV, you have likely heard the music of Andrew Oye. The 35-year-old graduate of jazz studies at Vancouver Island University is building an impressive list of credits on shows such as Lost, Dexter, Entourage and The Office. When Jim and Pam got married this season on The Office, the brief organ passage from Mendelssohn’s Wedding March came from Oye’s... Read more
VIU screens award-winning film on gang violence Nov. 5
October 30, 2009
Criminology professor Joanne Simister is on a mission to make students and the public more aware about gang violence in BC. “Gang violence is creating a lot of fear in society,” said Simister, Chair of the Criminology department at VIU. “We need to increase public awareness and dialogue about this important issue and what we can do about it.” As part of VIU’s popular Worldbridger Film Series,... Read more
VIU Esthetics “boot camp” offers tender touch
October 30, 2009
In one corner of a brightly lit room at Vancouver Island University’s Parksville campus, girls from Ballenas Secondary School got tips on shaping eyebrows and applying makeup. In another, the teens were warned about the effects of alcohol. “It’s so dehydrating to your skin,” said VIU Esthetics program student Genevieve Johnson. She quickly added other obvious drawbacks including the risk of... Read more
Provincial Siviculture Surveyor Examiner
October 29, 2009
Kathi Davis, half time technician, and sessional instructor in the Forest Resources Technology Program was chosen to be one of three Provincial Silviculture Survey Accreditation examiners in British Columbia, last spring. This is great news for the Forestry Department as she teaches students how to perform silviculture surveys as part of the forestry curriculum. Nothing can beat being taught by... Read more
Romance language cinema to be discussed at VIU
October 27, 2009
Bringing romance language cinema to a world stage will be discussed at a free public lecture Friday, October 30 by professors in Vancouver Island University’s Modern Language department. Dr. Hope Leith and Dr. Ana Maria Donat will conduct a joint presentation on the work of film makers Denys Arcand and Pedro Almodóvar as part of the Arts and Humanities Colloquium. “These film makers have... Read more
Poet Laureate of Britain - Carol Ann Duffy at VIU- public poetry celebration takes place October 21 and 22
October 21, 2009
Newly appointed Poet Laureate of Britain, Carol Ann Duffy, is Vancouver Island University’s (VIU) 2009 Ralph Gustafson Chair of Poetry. Ms. Duffy will visit VIU’s Nanaimo campus October 21 and 22 to engage in a public celebration of poetry. “This has been such an exhilarating time for me, planning for Ms. Duffy's visit,” said Craig Tapping, Chair of VIU’s Gustafson Poetry Trust. “Students and... Read more
Grand opening Oct. 23 for unique wood fired oven
October 16, 2009
Vancouver Island University is the first teaching institution in Canada to have an operating wood fired brick oven. The oven is fired daily and students enrolled in the Culinary Arts and Professional Baking programs use it to bake breads, bagels and pizza. They are trained in building fires, preparing the oven for baking and assessing oven temperatures to decide which products to bake. “... Read more
VIU makes environmentally friendly changes to reduce waste
October 16, 2009
On any given day, up to 2,400 customers are served in two cafeterias at Vancouver Island University’s Nanaimo campus. That’s why VIU’s Food and Beverage Manager George Kulai gives serious thought to how the cafeteria operations can be as environmentally responsible as possible. “We’ve implemented exciting changes to conserve energy and reduce VIU’s footprint on the environment,” said Kulai. “... Read more
New online courses make learning more accessible
October 15, 2009
Online technology will soon improve access to education for Aboriginal learners in remote First Nations communities and others interested in the shellfish industry. VIU’s Centre for Shellfish Research (CSR) has received $78,000 in BCcampus funding to convert three introductory shellfish aquaculture courses into an online format. “We applied for BCcampus funding to start this initiative because... Read more