VIU News & Experts: September 6
September 6, 2023
As a new school year begins, educators are looking at how AI tools like Chat GPT will change teaching and learning. Also in this issue: Climate action experts Should cellphones be allowed in the classroom? How a VIU prof's research could change cancer treatments Featured experts Cellphones and AI in the classroom As students head back to school, a debate is raging about bringing two different... Read more
Welcome back from VIU President Dr. Deborah Saucier
August 30, 2023
Dear colleagues, As we gather for the start of a new academic year, I am excited about the journeys of learning, discovery, innovation, and collaboration that will soon be underway on our campuses. I am incredibly proud to support this work, and our culture of inclusivity here at VIU that empowers us to remove barriers to post-secondary education and welcome all learners. Our commitment to ... Read more
Expert Q&A: Be wildfire ready
August 22, 2023
Jenn Houtby-Ferguson shares some tips Recreation and Tourism Management Professor Jenn Houtby-Ferguson is currently doing her doctoral work on emergency readiness and risk communications for the tourism and hospitality industries. She’s a delegate with the Canadian Red Cross and has supported responses to emergency scenarios ranging from wildfires to floods to COVID-19 across Canada. She has also... Read more
Sault College and Vancouver Island University partner to expand opportunities for culinary learners
July 31, 2023
Sault College and Vancouver Island University have partnered together to offer an expanded opportunity for those interested in deepening their learning of the culinary arts. The new pathway agreement will allow eligible graduates of Sault College’s Culinary Management diploma program to complete a Bachelor of Hospitality Management at Vancouver Island University within two to three years. This ... Read more
What is climate anxiety?
July 28, 2023
Expert Q&A with environmental psychologist Dr. Lindsay McCunn VIU Psychology Professor Dr. Lindsay McCunn Dr. Lindsay McCunn is a VIU Psychology Professor and the Director of VIU’s Environmental Psychology Research Lab. In her role as chair of the environmental psychology section of the Canadian Psychological Association, and as the co-editor-in-chief of the Journal of Environmental... Read more
Expert Q&A: BC government changes to reporting student progress
June 30, 2023
The 2023-24 school year will be the first year that all school districts in BC will implement a provincial proficiency scale instead of letter grades on report cards from kindergarten to Grade 9. Students in Grades 10 to 12 will still receive letter grades and percentages on report cards. Education Professor Dr. Paula Waatainen, a former high school social studies teacher, studies classroom... Read more
Celebrating our Macebearers and Academic Emeriti
June 7, 2023
This year, we have a wonderful range of Macebearers and Academic Emeriti who are participating in our convocations ceremonies. Check out their bios below. Read more
Dr. Marni Stanley: Educator, Advocate, Mentor
June 7, 2023
By Alyson Winks A quick glance around Dr. Marni Stanley’s office is all it takes to learn a great deal about VIU’s outgoing Dean of Arts and Humanities. The space is full of significance; a precious gift, a meaningful book, reference material for a course, or a souvenir from a trip. It is approximately 28 years of accumulation, demonstrating a rich life, hunger for knowledge, eagerness to teach,... Read more
VIU Culinary Instructor receives gold certification in Japanese cooking
March 2, 2023
Only a small number of chefs worldwide have this particular designation. VIU Culinary Arts Instructor Avi Sternberg is joining a small number of chefs from around the world who have successfully navigated a rigorous certification process to get his skills in Japanese cooking recognized. Sternberg was recently awarded the gold certificate in the Certification of Cooking Skills for Japanese Cuisine... Read more
Global Citizens Week promotes solidarity in action
January 30, 2023
This year’s event includes visiting speakers, film screenings and live music. A campus-wide, community event with a global focus is once again returning to Vancouver Island University (VIU). Global Citizens Week takes place from February 6 to 10 this year and features a variety of events, visiting speakers and dialogues centered around the theme of solidarity in action. “With all the conflict and... Read more