In the Community

VIU LAUNCHES NEW TEACHING AWARDS

February 7, 2014

Vancouver Island University is launching 10 new faculty achievement awards to recognize excellence in teaching and learning. “VIU has a reputation for effective teaching,” says Dave Witty, Provost and Vice-President Academic. “These new Teaching Design and Practice Awards are intended to formally recognize the best teaching and learning approaches that our faculty use to engage with students... Read more


ISLANDS SHORT FICTION CONTEST INVITES ENTRIES

February 4, 2014

The Islands Short Fiction Contest is back, co-sponsored by the Nanaimo Arts Council, the Vancouver Island Regional Library, and the Vancouver Island University (VIU) Department of Creative Writing and Journalism. Writers of all ages on Vancouver Island and the Gulf Islands are invited to enter short stories of up to 2,000 words. Entries are welcome in the Adult (19 and over), Youth (13 to 18),... Read more


VIU MARINERS CLEAN UP SPORTS AWARDS

February 4, 2014

By Josh Aldrich, Nanaimo Daily News Monday, Feb. 3, 2014 The Vancouver Island University Mariners cleaned up at the ninth annual Nanaimo Sport Achievement Awards on Saturday at the Coast Bastion Hotel. It is a common refrain for the awards, which celebrate athletic excellence at all levels in Nanaimo, but it speaks to the hard work that has bread continued success, both provincially and... Read more


VIU AWARDS HONORARY DOCTORATE TO CANADIAN ASTRONAUT ROBERT THIRSK

February 1, 2014

Canadian astronaut Dr. Robert Thirsk says he was "humbled' to receive an Honorary Doctor of Laws from Vancouver Island University (VIU) at winter convocation Friday, Jan. 31. Thirsk is well known throughout Canada and the world for his contributions to global space exploration, and for fostering educational opportunities for Canadian students and educators. He became the first Canadian astronaut... Read more


VIU WELCOMES RICHARD WAGAMESE AS FIRST INDIGENOUS WRITER IN RESIDENCE

January 31, 2014

Award-winning writer Richard Wagamese arrived at Vancouver Island University (VIU) Jan. 27 to begin a month-long visit as the University’s first Indigenous Writer in Residence. The public is invited to attend a reading and reception welcoming Wagamese to VIU and the community on Monday, Feb. 3 from 7 to 9 pm at Shq’apthut, VIU’s Aboriginal Gathering Place. An Ojibway from the Wabseemoong First... Read more


VIU CELEBRATES INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT WEEK FEB. 3-7

January 31, 2014

Vancouver Island University (VIU) is hosting International Development Week events Feb. 3 to 7 that range from brown-bag learning sessions and lectures with guest speakers, to student presentations on international experiences, to a mini-documentary film festival. All events are free and open to the public. “Our theme is ‘Community Engagement – from Local to Global',” says Meg Savory,... Read more


VALEDICTORIAN URGES GRADS TO FOLLOW THEIR PASSION

January 28, 2014

Gillian Coy is living proof that it’s never too late to launch a career change. Graduating with a Master of Education in Special Education from Vancouver Island University (VIU), Coy represented classmates as valedictorian at the winter convocation ceremony at the Port Theatre Thursday, Jan. 30, 2014. “I was deeply honoured to serve as class valedictorian again,” says Coy, who also served as... Read more


VIU APPOINTS NEW DIRECTOR OF ADVANCEMENT AND ALUMNI RELATIONS

January 27, 2014

Dan Hurley, Executive Director of University Relations at Vancouver Island University (VIU), today announced the appointment of William Litchfield as the next Director, Advancement and Alumni Relations beginning in February 2014. "William joins us at an important time in the University's history," said Hurley. "As we move forward with plans to raise funds to increase financial support for... Read more


LEARN SOMETHING NEW AT FREE SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY LECTURE SERIES

January 24, 2014

From bird banding, to Garry Oak ecosystems, to air quality monitoring, there’s a topic to suit almost every interest at Vancouver Island University’s (VIU) Science & Technology lecture series. The free weekly series is open to the public and runs Wednesday nights at VIU’s Nanaimo campus. “We encourage members of the public to join us,” says Wendy Simms, organizer of the lecture series. “The... Read more


VIU Science Degree Provides Solid Foundation for Medical School

January 23, 2014

There's no doubt in Nathan Stefani's mind that small universities offer quality education for students. Stefani graduated from Vancouver Island University (VIU) with a Bachelor of Science (major in Biology) in June, 2013. Now he's pursuing a lifelong dream to become a medical doctor. With top marks from VIU, Stefani was accepted into the Island Medical Program (IMP) of the University of BC’s (UBC... Read more