Student Success

Powell River Dual Credit Students Shine in Skills Canada Regional Competition

February 26, 2015

Powell River students studying trades at Vancouver Island University (VIU) Powell River in the Dual Credit Trades program offered through VIU and Brooks Secondary were among the top competitors at the Skills Canada Regional Skills BC competition in Nanaimo on Feb. 20. Seven of the 13 Powell River students in the Dual Credit program returned home with medals following the day-long competition,... Read more


Heavy Equipment Operator Students Receive Scholarships from TLA and Chevron

January 26, 2015

Two new $5,000 scholarships funded by the Truck Loggers Association (TLA) and Chevron have been awarded to students in the Heavy Equipment Operator program at Vancouver Island University (VIU). BC’s Minister of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations Steve Thomson presented the awards to VIU students Jesse Creighton and Breanna Thompson at the TLA Convention & Trade Show in Victoria... Read more


VIU Education Program Gives Student Hope

December 10, 2014

Several years ago, MaryDawn MacWatt’s life took a 180 degree turn. From being a financially dependent wife, MacWatt became the sole provider for herself and her three children. While in transition, MacWatt knew that independence was the only way out. In a chance meeting with Vancouver Island University (VIU) professor Dr. Ian Whitehouse at her father’s nursery in the Cowichan Valley, MacWatt... Read more


VIU Fisheries and Aquaculture Students Receive $22,750 in Scholarships

December 9, 2014

Christmas arrived early for 12 top students in Vancouver Island University’s Fisheries and Aquaculture degree and diploma programs. The students received a total of $22,750 in awards and scholarships at a celebration and awards banquet last week. “It’s the largest amount of money for internal awards ever dispersed to VIU’s Fisheries & Aquaculture students,” said faculty member Dr. Chris... Read more


Hospitality Management Students Win at LinkBC Competition

December 5, 2014

Four students in the Hospitality Management program will end their fall term at Vancouver Island University (VIU) on a high note after winning the LinkBC Marketing Case Diploma Category award in a presentation that included some solid business ideas and a humourous approach. Taylor Doherty and Jonelle Van Rensburg of Nanaimo, and Jerren Hung and Gary Guy, international students from Australia... Read more


Tiny Cabins, Food App Win Top Prizes in VIU Business Plan Competition

December 3, 2014

Two bright ideas taking top honours in Vancouver Island University’s (VIU) Business Plan Competition are tiny, affordable homes on wheels and a smartphone app that helps shoppers identify foods that fit into diets limited by allergies. Final pitches were made by 10 finalists before a panel of business expert judges in a ‘Dragon’s Den’-style competition at VIU Nov. 28. Rewild Homes took first... Read more


Nanaimo Students Earn Full Tuition Scholarships to VIU

October 28, 2014

Hard work in high school pays off – just ask nine top graduating students from Nanaimo who now attend Vancouver Island University (VIU). Bernadette Alvarez (Woodlands Secondary), Anjelica Lum (Wellington Secondary), Kaitlin Ovcharov (John Barsby Secondary), Genevieve Amaral (Dover Bay Secondary), Courtney Davidson (Cedar Secondary) and Matthew Lineker (Nanaimo Christian School), each received a... Read more


VIU Welcomes Alaska Undergrad as Killam Fellow

September 26, 2014

A busy year of academic studies in her Psychology major lies ahead for Charlotte Stark, who is attending Vancouver Island University (VIU) this year as a Killam Fellow on exchange from the University of Alaska Fairbanks. Killam Fellowships are awarded to undergraduate students in Canada and the US by Fulbright Canada, which facilitates educational exchanges for scholars in the two countries.... Read more


VIU Baking Program Grad Wins Lt. Governor's Silver Medal

June 19, 2014

A graduate in Vancouver Island University’s (VIU) Professional Baking and Pastry Arts program will be awarded the University’s Lieutenant Governor’s Silver Medal for her outstanding work in the program. Miriam Popma, whose hometown is Duncan, will receive the medal at VIU’s convocation ceremonies for graduates in Trades and Applied Technology programs in Nanaimo’s Port Theatre on Friday, June 20... Read more


High School Students Explore Trades at VIU

June 18, 2014

When Dustin Decouteau’s grandfather taught him a bit about welding, he thought he might be onto something he could enjoy as a career once he graduates high school. In Vancouver Island University’s (VIU) first offering of the 12-week Introduction to Trades program, the Woodlands Secondary Grade 11 student had a chance to learn even more about the welding trade – enough to convince him to enroll... Read more