Visitors from Ghana strengthen ties with Vancouver Island
June 19, 2012
Update: Kwadwo Thomas Djang-Fordjour, Rector of Sunyani Polytechnic in Ghana, and VIU President Ralph Nilson signed a five-year agreement of co-operation between the two educational institutions on June 25. The agreement outlines: “The objective of promoting and expanding international understanding by stimulating and supporting educational, professional and intercultural activities and projects... Read more
Student tracks endangered turtles at Buttertubs Marsh
June 19, 2012
VIU Biology student Stephanie Thorpe is working toward her Bachelor of Science degree as she packs a spotting scope, binoculars and notebook on the 2.2-kilometre loop trail around Buttertubs Marsh. From shoreline vantage points she focuses on basking logs and clearings where Western Painted Turtles share space with more common Red-eared Slider Turtles and Wood Ducks. On a recent outing, she... Read more
Valedictorian delivers inspiring speech about arriving in Canada
June 12, 2012
Sometimes what you think is the biggest mistake of your life turns out to be the best thing in your life. That’s the message Vancouver Island University Bachelor of Hospitality Management graduate Hamza Slaoui delivered during an inspiring valedictorian speech at VIU’s recent spring convocation ceremony. Slauoi, who arrived in Nanaimo five years ago from Casablanca, Morocco, shared his personal... Read more
VIU students win Premier's Scholarships for study abroad
June 12, 2012
Three Vancouver Island University students are among 22 post-secondary students in BC to receive Premier’s Scholarships for study abroad. Katie Durvin, a Bachelor of Arts, Global Studies and Economics student, received $6,000 to study in Malawi, Africa. Hospitality Management student Bobbi-Anne Piercy and Bachelor of Arts, Global Studies and Anthropology student Celia White received $6,000 each... Read more
Astronaut urges young girls to reach for the stars
June 12, 2012
It’s a day Emily Nelson will never forget. The Hammond Bay Elementary school French immersion student met her heroine, Canadian astronaut Julie Payette in Nanaimo recently. “She was really nice and friendly,” said Emily. Emily, her mom Jodi and sister Alex waited outside the Port Theatre in Nanaimo on Monday, June 4 after they heard Payette was coming to town to receive an Honorary Doctorate... Read more
Donated trucks provide hands-on learning for future mechanics
June 11, 2012
Good corporate citizenship – that’s what Glen Tulloch, District Operations Manager for Waste Management —Nanaimo division calls his company’s ongoing commitment to Vancouver Island University. Waste Management (WM) donated six trucks to VIU’s Heavy Duty/Commercial Transport Mechanics training program in the last four years, including two front-end load waste refuse trucks donated recently. The... Read more
Music Department Graduate Student Recitals
June 11, 2012
The VIU Music Dept. proudly presents its 2012 Grad Recitals by 4th year Music Students now in the Bachelor of Music in Jazz Studies Summer Program, under the direction of Canadian Jazz Great and multiple Juno Award winner Phil Dwyer. VIU Music students will be featured nightly from Tuesday, June 12 through Friday June 15. Please see the schedule below for further details. Come and hear these... Read more
Unique event showcases Trades careers to students
June 8, 2012
High school students from the Nanaimo-Ladysmith and Parksville-Qualicum areas interested in learning more about a career in construction trades (including heavy equipment operator) are invited to sign up for a fun three-day event called Heavy Metal Rocks. The event is being organized by Vancouver Island University’s Trades & Applied Technology department, School District #68, School District... Read more
Lifelong learner graduates at age 77
June 8, 2012
Dave Paul epitomizes lifelong learning. At 77, Paul was the oldest graduate amongst a record 626 graduates at Vancouver Island University’s recent spring convocation. Paul earned a Bachelor of Arts degree, with a double minor in English and Psychology. He's been taking classes at VIU since 1997. “VIU is an institution where faculty and staff are welcoming and helpful,” said Paul. “I couldn’t... Read more
Top marks net VIU graduates academic medals
June 6, 2012
Vancouver Island University graduates received special recognition from the federal and provincial governments at spring convocation for outstanding academic achievements. Alex Lumley of Nanaimo, a VIU Bachelor of Science in Nursing graduate, won the silver Governor General’s Academic Medal for obtaining a perfect 4.33 Grade Point Average (GPA) in a degree program. Graduate Angela Linthorne,... Read more