VIU Grad Achieves International Success
January 21, 2016
Never underestimate the power of a small university with dedicated faculty to change students’ lives. Just ask Vancouver Island University (VIU) graduate Katelin Albert (née, Bowes). Albert grew up in Powell River and came to VIU in 2003 to play soccer for the women’s varsity team. At first, she didn’t know what she wanted to do, wasn’t a top student, and had never heard of graduate school.... Read more
Mike Harcourt and Poet Patrick Lane to Receive Honours at VIU Convocation Jan. 28-29
January 19, 2016
Former Premier of BC Michael Harcourt, celebrated BC author and poet Patrick Lane, and accomplished VIU alumna and PhD candidate Katelin Albert will be awarded honourary credentials at VIU’s winter convocation ceremonies at Nanaimo’s Port Theatre January 28 and 29. Patrick Lane – 2016 Honorary Doctorate of Letters: January 28, 2:30 pm Internationally acclaimed poet Patrick Lane is considered by... Read more
VIU Receives $500K from The Joyce Foundation for Youth in Care Tuition Waiver Bursaries
January 8, 2016
A $500,000 donation from The Joyce Foundation will benefit students attending Vancouver Island University (VIU) with support from the Youth in Care Tuition Waiver program. The funds will be dedicated to bursaries for ongoing support of VIU students in the Youth in Care Tuition Waiver program who are over the age of 24. “We are very grateful to The Joyce Foundation for this generous gift, which... Read more
VIU Welcomes Aboriginal High School Students for 'In.Business' Program
December 11, 2015
Nanaimo Grade 12 student Daniel Puglas has a vision for his future that includes making films and owning the company that produces them. While film school is in the John Barsby Secondary School student’s future plans, he also wants to learn as much as he can about business to ensure his success. That’s why he signed up for the six-month In.Business program along with 46 other Aboriginal high... Read more
Student-run 'Barter Brothers' Wins Grand Prize in VIU Business Plan Competition
December 9, 2015
If you’ve got a garage, attic or basement full of stuff to sell, and no time to sell it, Jeff Gilmore can help you out. The 18-year-old Vancouver Island University (VIU) student took the grand prize and first place in the student category in the VIU Business Plan Competition for “Barter Brothers”, a service he started back at home in Chilliwack while he was still in high school. “The old saying... Read more
VIU Joins Grassroots Effort to Reduce Stigma and Discrimination of Persons with Disabilities
December 2, 2015
Vancouver Island University (VIU) is joining a worldwide movement toward replacing the current disability icon with an updated ability icon. “It’s a special grassroots effort to help communities reduce the stigma and discrimination of persons with disabilities,” says Richard Harlow, Board Director of the Nanaimo Disability Resource Centre (NDRC). All parking lots on VIU's Nanaimo campus have... Read more
VIU Business Plan Competition Finalists Compete in Dec. 4 'Pitchfest'
December 1, 2015
Six student and alumni finalists will pitch their ideas to a panel of judges on Friday, Dec. 4 as they vie for the top prize in the Vancouver Island University (VIU) Business Plan Competition. The “Dragon’s Den-style Pitchfest’ will see finalists make presentations on business ideas that range from tech start-ups to online services to gardening and beauty products. The pitchfest, from 4 to 7:30... Read more
VIU, Shqwi qwal and Reconciliation Canada Form Historic Partnership
November 27, 2015
Vancouver Island University (VIU) Centre for Pre-Confederation Treaties, Shqwi qwal for Indigenous Dialogue at VIU, and Reconciliation and Reconciliation Canada have announced apartnership to support delivery of economic reconciliation dialogues among business leaders and First Nations leadership. A Memorandum of Understanding was signed by Douglas White, Director of the Centre for Pre-... Read more
Refugee Students Travel from Jordan and Kenya to Study at VIU
November 27, 2015
Nadifo Abdi remembers the long, dark nights she spent studying for national high school exams at home in Kenya’s massive Dadaab refugee camp, where she was born. While her six siblings slumbered, her mother was there at her side with a cup of tea, something to eat, and words of loving encouragement. “She would come stay the night with me as I studied, staying awake so that I would not feel like... Read more
VIU Observes International Day of Persons with Disabilities Dec. 3
November 26, 2015
Amber Thomas lost her eyesight at age 10 due to a brain tumor. But that hasn’t stopped the ambitious first year Computing Science student at Vancouver Island University (VIU) from pursuing her dreams. Thomas is loving life and classes at VIU thanks in part to her supportive faculty and a friendly guide dog she calls Bear who helps her get around campus safely. Thomas is speaking out publicly... Read more