In the Community

Gardens and First Nations carvings among inspirations for artists at VIU

December 21, 2011

“The arts teach children that problems can have more than one solution and that questions can have more than one answer.” --Elliot Eisner, former president of the International Society for Education through Art Tamagawa Garden is a tranquil oasis on Vancouver Island University’s Nanaimo campus that attracts visitors even on soggy, grey winter days. Education Professor Heather Pastro sees the... Read more


VIU students showcase success

December 19, 2011

Vancouver Island University students are making headlines in BC and beyond. Whether it’s raising money for cancer research or winning top scholarships, students are excelling in and out of the classroom. Here are a few recent stories that showcase VIU student success: VIU Education student receives $10,000 award “It's definitely exciting. I’m in shock.” That’s how VIU student Robyn Dimock... Read more


Founders of The Haven Institute to receive honorary degrees from VIU

December 19, 2011

Two lifelong friends and business associates who have helped thousands of people transform their lives through programs offered at an internationally renowned centre for professional and personal development will receive special accolades from Vancouver Island University. Dr. Jock McKeen and Dr. Bennet Wong, founders of The Haven Institute on Gabriola Island, will receive honorary doctorate... Read more


United Way campaign reaches new height at VIU

December 19, 2011

As 2011 United Way campaign comes to an end at Vancouver Island University, Adrienne Wanhill, the VIU Loaned Representative to the United Way, sends out one last email to her co-workers, with the subject: $30,000! Thank You to Everyone! Thanks to individual donations from 149 employees, monies raised through special events, contributions from VIUFA and CUPE, and the sale of United Way chocolate... Read more


VIU students compete in National Games

December 15, 2011

A team of students in Vancouver Island University’s Master of Business Administration program (MBA) representing 12 countries are in training to show off their mental and physical agility. They will represent VIU at the MBA National Games in Alberta Jan. 6 to 10 and compete in three categories: academic skills, athletic abilities and team spirit. “We’ve been invited to participate in the MBA... Read more


VIU researcher explores social media in science education

December 14, 2011

Vancouver Island University professor Dr. Rachel Moll is leading an international study to explore social media use in science education. Moll has received a two-year $50,000 grant from the Social Sciences Humanities Research Council (SSHRC) to study how physics teachers and students in high school and first-year university use social media to teach and learn. “It’s an international... Read more


VIU's Development & Alumni Office launches exclusive new fundraising technology

December 14, 2011

VIU is now the only post-secondary institution in Canada using Mobio Quick Response codes as a fundraising tool. By downloading an app created by Mobio (www.getmobio.com), Smartphone users can scan VIU’s new QR codes and then, in less than a minute, make a donation to VIU for any amount. “We are excited by the possibilities opened up by this new technology,” says Julie Keenan, Director, VIU... Read more


City of Nanaimo calls for Poet Laureate Nominations

December 13, 2011

The City of Nanaimo would like to invite nominations for our city’s first Poet Laureate for a 3 year term beginning in 2012. Nominations will be accepted until 2012-JAN-31, with the selection being made by the end of February, 2012. Self nominations will be accepted. The purpose of a Poet Laureate for Nanaimo is to serve as a “people’s” poet and to raise awareness of poetry and the literary... Read more


Refugee students grateful for support on and off campus

December 13, 2011

Like many of the close to 1,700 international students at Vancouver Island University, Fatuma Hassan Ali and Noor Mohamed Maalim have had to adapt to their new surroundings on Canada’s West Coast. Unlike almost all the other students at VIU, the two Somalia-born students are adjusting to life outside the confines of a refugee camp. Fatuma was an infant when she and her family fled the civil war... Read more


Royal Bank of Canada (RBC) Donates $40,000 to VIU's Aboriginal Construction Program

December 12, 2011

From the VIU Foundation: As part of RBC’s commitment to building relationships and creating opportunities for Canada’s Aboriginal peoples, Moira Jenkins and Mark Lovick of RBC, were on hand at the recent Christmas celebration at Shq’apthut, VIU’s Aboriginal Gathering Place, to announce a donation of $40,000 in support of the university’s Aboriginal Construction Program. “We recognize training... Read more