News Stories
VIU hosts summer camps for Indigenous students
June 29, 2022
The camps are organized by the ‘su’luqw’a’ Community Cousins Indigenous mentorship program. A pair of free summer camps that aim to make the transition to university easier for Indigenous youth are returning to in-person delivery at Vancouver Island University’s (VIU’s) Nanaimo campus this summer. The Thuy’she’num Tu Smun’eem: Building a Foundation for our Youth summer camps take place July 18-22... Read more
VIU awards honorary degree to acclaimed Canadian sculpture artist
June 15, 2022
Barbara Paterson will receive an Honorary Doctorate of Letters at the June 24 morning convocation ceremony. If there’s a piece of advice Barbara Paterson would like to offer this year’s graduates at Vancouver Island University (VIU), it’s to “start out small with your ideas, promote those ideas, keep working on it and just don’t stop.” Paterson is an internationally acclaimed Canadian... Read more
VIU awards honorary degree to Coast Salish Master Carver and Traditional Storyteller
June 15, 2022
ts’usqinuxun’, William Good, a Hereditary Chief from the Snuneymuxw First Nation, will receive an Honorary Doctorate of Letters at VIU’s June 23 convocation ceremony. ts’usqinuxun’, William Good has played an integral role in the revitalization of Coast Salish art. “When I first started, nobody understood the art, nobody recognized the art, people were learning through different books. Now there’... Read more
VIU awards honorary degree to respected philanthropist and businessman
June 15, 2022
Stephen Jarislowsky will receive an Honorary Doctorate of Letters at VIU’s June 24 afternoon convocation ceremony. There are two things you need to do to get ahead in life – you have to learn how to think and you need to lead an ethical life. This advice comes from Stephen Jarislowsky, who directed the growth of one of the largest and most successful management firms in Canada, and who has... Read more
Vancouver Island University receives $2 million to educate future public service leaders
June 8, 2022
VIU has been selected to join a prestigious new network to establish a Chair in Trust and Political Leadership. Vancouver Island University (VIU) is one of five Canadian universities selected to form a unique network focused on educating future politicians and civil servants. The Jarislowsky Foundation has chosen Acadia University, Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières (in collaboration with l’... Read more
VIU to Offer Free Menstrual Products at all Campuses
May 5, 2022
University, in partnership with VIU Students’ Union, signs on to the United Way’s Period Promise campaign. Free menstrual products will soon be available in washrooms at all Vancouver Island University (VIU) campuses. VIU, in partnership with the VIU Students’ Union, has signed on to the United Way’s Period Promise campaign, which raises awareness about the issue of period poverty and menstrual... Read more
New Program Prepares Next Generation of Climate Solution Global Leaders
April 21, 2022
A new partnership between three prominent island educational institutions marks Earth Day by investing in future climate action leaders to find solutions for the complex challenge of climate change. Two recently signed Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs) between pre-university school Pearson College UWC, Vancouver Island University (VIU) and Royal Roads University (RRU) formalized the collective... Read more
VIU Student Group Hosts Climate Change Symposium
April 14, 2022
The symposium includes a keynote presentation by Dr. Elizaveta Malinina, a Research Scientist at the Canadian Centre for Climate Modelling. We must act now to fight climate change. This cry of alarm has been sounded many times, but it hasn’t been answered sufficiently to halt the release of greenhouse gases or the impacts of climate change, including the increased frequency and intensity of... Read more
VIU Hosts a Conversation on the Future of Reconciliation in Canada
April 13, 2022
What: The Future of Reconciliation in Canada: A VIU Conversation When: Wednesday, April 20, 2022, 10-11:30 am Where: Online (Zoom webinar) Reconciliation is a complex concept with a variety of definitions, meaning different things to different people, but one thing many agree upon is that for reconciliation to become a reality, significant structural and societal changes are needed.... Read more
Provincial Government Funds Expansion of Shq’apthut, VIU’s Indigenous Gathering Place
April 8, 2022
Investment will enhance on-campus learning experience for Indigenous and non-Indigenous students Indigenous students at Vancouver Island University (VIU) will soon have access to more space as Shq’apthut (A Gathering Place) is expanded at the Nanaimo campus. The building is a home away from home for Indigenous students where cultural, academic, recreational and social activities are promoted and... Read more