In the Community

VIU and BCGEU Vocational ratify agreement

April 10, 2015

Vancouver Island University and BCGEU members at VIU - Local 702 have ratified their tentative agreement reached on March 12, 2015. The term of the agreement is from April 1, 2014 to March 31, 2019.   VIU and BCGEU worked very hard during this round to create a collective agreement that supports faculty and helps the University achieve the goals in the Academic Plan. The agreement also follows... Read more


Government of Canada Supports Innovation in British Columbia's Aquaculture Industry

April 8, 2015

April 8, 2015 – Nanaimo, British Columbia – Western Economic Diversification Canada Today, the Honourable Michelle Rempel, Minister of State for Western Economic Diversification, announced funding of $667,000 to Vancouver Island University (VIU) to support a project that will enable them to purchase equipment and undertake a comparative analysis of new technologies in shellfish farming. With... Read more


VIU Engineering Students Test Skills in Bridge Design Contest

April 7, 2015

First year engineering students at Vancouver Island University (VIU) are building model bridges with popsicle sticks to test their design skills – and now they want the public to help choose a winner. In a friendly competition sponsored by Herold Engineering Inc. of Nanaimo, 10 teams in Dr. Brian Dick’s Engineering Design II class have been creating model bridges to replace the Portal rail... Read more


VIU Spring Jazz Showcase On Stage April 7, 8 and 9

March 31, 2015

Jazz lovers are invited to enjoy three nights of great music at Vancouver Island University’s (VIU) Spring Showcase Concerts, coming to VIU’s Malaspina Theatre April 7, 8 and 9 at 7:30 pm. Concert admission is by donation. “The Spring Showcase is an opportunity to hear music played by our talented students and some special musical guests from the community,” said Music department chair Bryan... Read more


VIU invests in people through balanced 2015/16 budget

March 27, 2015

Vancouver Island University’s Board of Governors approved a balanced consolidated budget of $136.7 million for the 2015/16 fiscal year, on Thursday, March 26, 2015. The full budget is available on the University’s website at https://www2.viu.ca/budget/BudgetPlan2015-2016.asp. The largest investment in VIU’s budget continues to be people – dedicated faculty and staff – who are critical to... Read more


New Master of GIS Applications Program Approved for VIU

March 26, 2015

Students can now map their futures in a growing in-demand field through Vancouver Island University’s (VIU) newest master’s program. VIU has received approval from BC’s Ministry of Advanced Education and the provincial Degree Quality Assessment Board to offer a two-year Master of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Applications program starting in September 2015. “We’re recruiting students for... Read more


Western Forest Products Donates Cedar Logs to Complete VIU Totem Project

March 24, 2015

Two cedar trees harvested in the Nuu-chah-nulth First Nations territory on Vancouver Island’s west coast have been donated by Western Forest Products (WFP) to Vancouver Island University’s (VIU) totem pole project. The donated cedars were delivered by WFP to VIU’s G.R. Paine Horticultural Training Centre on East Wellington Road, where they were blessed March 16 in traditional First Nations... Read more


VIU Hosts Spring Break Activities

March 23, 2015

The public is invited to register for free bird banding and chemistry demonstrations, as well as tours of the Natural History Museum, hatchery facility and giant sturgeon holding tanks, during Spring Break Days at Vancouver Island University’s (VIU) Nanaimo campus March 23, 24 and 25. Pre-registration is required. These free, fun and educational activities are being offered to the general public... Read more


Startup Nanaimo hosts ‘Profits for Non-Profits unConference’ at VIU March 29

March 17, 2015

Nanaimo’s more than 800 non-profit organizations are doing their good work in an increasingly difficult funding environment. With reduced government funding for nonprofits, and increased competition for available funds, organizations are being pushed to become more financially self-sufficient and sustainable Startup Nanaimo’s Profit for Non-Profits unConference Sunday, March 29 will inspire non-... Read more


VIU Nursing Students Hosting Stem Cell Registry Event March 27

March 16, 2015

If there’s a chance you could save someone’s life, someone you’ve never met, would you do it? Vancouver Island University (VIU) Nursing students and Canadian Blood Services (CBS) are hoping to get a long list of healthy young adults showing up for a OneMatch stem cell donor registration event from 3 to 6 pm on Friday, March 27 at Nanaimo’s Country Club Centre mall. The registry is open to people... Read more