In the Community

Inmates get their hands dirty and break new ground through pilot partnership in horticultural training

October 26, 2011

Seven inmates of the Nanaimo Correctional Centre (NCC) earned certificates for completing a horticulture and nursery production program offered through a partnership of the correctional centre, Vancouver Island University, Literacy Central Vancouver Island and the John Howard Society. Vancouver Island University’s introduction to horticulture and nursery production program was an innovative... Read more


Student turns shoreline debris into jellyfish art

October 24, 2011

The shimmering replicas of jellyfish may look fanciful but Vancouver Island University biology and art student Emily Rigney makes a serious statement with her sculpture created from shoreline trash. “I live near the Pacific Biological Station and spend a lot of time on the beach. There is so much garbage, it’s astounding,” says Rigney. Rigney, a fourth-year student at VIU, is majoring in biology... Read more


VIU in the news: Teen's innovation recognized

October 21, 2011

By Jenn McGarrigle Nanaimo News Bulletin For as long as he can remember, Riley Richters has been fascinated with how things work. The Grade 12 student in Nanaimo school district’s Career Technical Centre program (which allows students to earn high school credits while taking trades and technical courses at Vancouver Island University) started dissecting his toys to see what was inside when he... Read more


Tuition prize helps Campbell River student off to great start at VIU

October 19, 2011

When Josh McLennan paid his tuition at Vancouver Island University this month, it’s hard to say who was happier – Josh or his father. McLennan was the lucky winner of a $1,000 tuition credit offered as a special prize during VIU’s New Student Orientation. A graduate of Timberline Secondary School in Campbell River, McLennan is enrolled in VIU’s Bachelor of Arts, Major in Liberal Studies program... Read more


Award-winning poet lectures at VIU Oct. 20

October 17, 2011

The community is invited to the annual Gustafson Distinguished Poets Lecture at Vancouver Island University Oct. 20. This year’s Gustafson Distinguished Poet is Jan Zwicky of Quadra Island, an award-winning poet, essayist, philosopher and musician. Zwicky received the Governor General's Award in 1999 and the Dorothy Livesay Award in 2004. Zwicky’s lecture, entitled "Auden as Philosopher: How... Read more


Education provides life-long boost to VIU alumni

October 14, 2011

Arthur Baker has witnessed tremendous changes in his life but one thing remains the same – the need for young people to get a quality education. Baker, 90, was front and centre during Vancouver Island University’s 75th anniversary party for students, staff and faculty on Wednesday, Oct. 12. He graduated from the automotive mechanics program in 1939, and is recognized as one of VIU’s oldest... Read more


Renovation builds trades training future on Sunshine Coast

October 14, 2011

Ministry of Advanced Education Industry Canada POWELL RIVER – Trades students on the Sunshine Coast can now enjoy an enhanced training experience in new, energy-efficient surroundings thanks to a timely renovation of the trades centre at Vancouver Island University’s Powell River campus. Today’s grand opening of Vancouver Island University’s Powell River campus coincides with the university’s... Read more


Romeo and Juliet and the Romantic Politics of Deepa Mehta's film Water

October 9, 2011

“Romeo and Juliet and the Romantic Politics of Deepa Mehta's film Water” will be the topic of Dr. Keith Harrison’s presentation on Friday, Oct. 14, from 10 to 11:30 am in the Malaspina Theatre (Building 310). His presentation is the second in the Fall 2011 Arts and Humanities Colloquium series. Harrison, who teaches literature, film, and creative writing at VIU, is the award-winning author of... Read more


VIU in the news: Calm down, mussels -- Why scientists are trying to soothe stressed sentinels of the sea

October 6, 2011

By Carla Wilson, Victoria Times Colonist Mussels can't tell us when they're stressed out. That's why a team of Vancouver Island University scientists has created a new device to speak for the bivalves. Final verification is being carried out on a microarray, a tool designed to measure stress related changes. Why should we care if mussels are in a state of serenity or turmoil? It matters... Read more


International Centre for Sturgeon Studies opens at VIU

October 3, 2011

International Centre for Sturgeon Studies opens at VIU With thousands of small fry already in residence and the big fish ready to move in soon, Vancouver Island University today celebrated the opening of the new $5.25-million International Centre for Sturgeon Studies (ICSS). The state-of-the-art facility for sturgeon research is being completed in stages with tanks expected to be ready later... Read more