VIU faculty share easy-to-implement teaching suggestions and ideas
May 4, 2012
Faculty at Vancouver Island University have a valuable new resource to engage with students in their classrooms – and they created it themselves. Teaching Tips from the Trenches is a collection of suggestions and ideas available online through the centre for Innovation and Excellence in Learning @ VIU. Tips include using speed-date learning for students to share personal experiences, silent... Read more
VIU-community partnership benefits carpentry students and Stz’uminus First Nation
May 2, 2012
Chris Seward was working the graveyard shift at a Duncan convenience store when he heard about an eight-month carpentry program offered through Vancouver Island University’s Cowichan Campus. “I’m doing this for my 14-and-a-half -month-old daughter,” says Seward. “I decided it was time for a career.” With support from the Coast Salish Employment and Training Society (CSETS) BladeRuners program,... Read more
VIU in the news:Gazette welcomes new editor
April 25, 2012
Dennis Skalicky, publisher of the Lake Cowichan Gazette, is pleased to announce the appointment of Tamu Miles as the new editor of the paper. For the past four years, Miles has studied creative writing and journalism at Vancouver Island University. She has worked as arts editor for the Navigator, the university’s student press, and as marketing manager for Portal, the only literary magazine... Read more
VIU faculty strengthen ties with University of Belize
April 23, 2012
Dale Wik had a strong desire to complete an important task before retiring from her position as co-ordinator of Vancouver Island University’s Writing Centre. This spring she travelled to Central America with support from VIU Faculty Association professional development funding to assist faculty at the University of Belize in their efforts to establish a Writing Centre at the main campus in... Read more
VIU’s Cowichan Campus earns design awards
April 23, 2012
Vancouver Island University’s new Cowichan Campus received an Excellence Award in the education category at the 5th Annual Vancouver Island Real Estate Board Commercial Building Awards. The distinctive facility which opened in September 2011 on University Way in Duncan has also earned a citation from the Canadian Precast/Prestressed Concrete Institute. The Roy Willwerth Precast Concrete... Read more
VIU's Milner Gardens and Woodland in the news: Gardening as child's play
April 20, 2012
By Steve Whysall Vancouver Sun In the lush coastal woodland at Milner Gardens in Qualicum Beach on Vancouver Island, children are being taught how to remember the proper Latin names of plants in a particularly creative and memorable way. First, they make a Harry Potter wand out of fresh cut and peeled alder and then they approach a plant and pronounce its name out loud as if casting a magic... Read more
Fundraising dinner supports Student Refugee Program at VIU
April 17, 2012
The Vancouver Island University WUSC (World University Service of Canada) Local Committee is gearing up to host its largest annual fundraiser, the Harambee Gala Dinner. Proceeds from the event will go towards supporting the Student Refugee Program at VIU. “The Student Refugee Program (SRP) is a truly unique initiative”, says local committee Communications Chair, Gabrielle Bishop. “For over 30... Read more
Love of schooling grew slowly for First Nations graduate
April 16, 2012
Lelaina Jules has always loved learning. It just took a while for her to warm up to education in a classroom setting. “As I was growing up, I didn’t have a good relationship with school. I did it to pass time,” she said recently. It’s obvious that relationship has changed. Jules was describing her educational journey during her valedictory address for the Aboriginal Graduation Recognition... Read more
Warming up for exams
April 13, 2012
First-year Vancouver Island University student Josh Dieleman plays bagpipes to “kill time” before an exam Friday on music history. Dieleman’s usual musical focus on campus is jazz drumming. Final examinations at VIU continue until April 23. Read more
Creative Writing instructor’s novel shortlisted for Leacock medal
April 12, 2012
Creative Writing instructor Susan Juby's novel, The Woefield Poultry Collective, has been shortlisted for the Stephen Leacock Medal for Humour. The winner of the prize will be announced April 26. “Being nominated for a Leacock is a tremendous honour because so many of my literary heroes have been Leacock winners and I'm proud to be associated with our fine tradition of funny Canadian writers,”... Read more