In the Community

VIU’S FIRST CO-OP EMPLOYER OF THE YEAR AWARD GOES TO TRISH SMITH

October 3, 2013

The recipient of Vancouver Island University’s first Co-op Employer of the Year award is a born and raised Nanaimo event professional and VIU alumna who loves working with students and sharing skills she has honed over 30 years in the industry. Trish Smith, a VIU alumna who works as event organizer for Parksville’s Beach Festival and Sand Sculpting Competition, accepted her award at a special... Read more


LEARNING THE FINE ART OF HOW TO BE SUCCESSFUL

October 1, 2013

Crank it up and be successful – that’s the message to students at Vancouver Island University (VIU). Crank it Up is a free one-day conference Friday, Oct. 4 from 11 am to 4 pm where students will learn the tools, tricks and skills they need to have a positive and successful academic year. “At VIU, we believe in promoting student success,” says Tina McComb, interim director of Enrolment... Read more


VIU RESEARCHERS RECEIVE $25,000 FEDERAL GRANT TO EXAMINE LABOUR MARKET ISSUES

September 30, 2013

A team of researchers at Vancouver Island University is working on a project that will expand the public’s understanding of labour market issues in Canada – specifically as they relate to small scale artisans and agri-food producers. Led by Dr. Nicole Vaugeois, VIU’s BC Regional Innovation Chair in Tourism and Sustainable Rural Development, the team is examining how to best support the... Read more


NEW BOARD CHAIR ELECTED AT VIU

September 27, 2013

Vancouver Island University has a new Chair and Vice-Chair leading its Board of Governors. Ann Scott, a Courtenay resident and active community volunteer, has been elected Chair for a one-year term, while Nanaimo entrepreneur and VIU alumnus Allan Wiekenkamp was elected to the Vice-Chair position on the 15-member board. Scott is a Chartered Accountant and Partner with Presley & Partners in... Read more


VIU APPOINTS FIRST FULL-TIME ELDER

September 26, 2013

The first full-time Elder-in-Residence at Vancouver Island University provides guidance and support to Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal students, and will now share traditional knowledge and practices in the Faculty of Health and Human Services (HHS). Geraldine Manson of Snuneymuxw First Nation, who has worked in the Elder role with VIU for the past six years, was appointed as the first Elder-in-... Read more


VIU FACULTY EXPLORE THE MEANING OF "GOING BACK TO THE LAND"

September 25, 2013

Faced with global capitalism, genetically modified food, and a popular culture that does little to inspire and enrich their lives, many people in modern day North America are making the decision to head ‘back to the land’. While the present day desire to build a simpler, healthier, more authentic life in a rural setting is prevalent, is it really anything new? Nothing new at all, in fact, say... Read more


LEGENDARY JAZZ PIANIST BRINGS TRIO TO VIU FOR OCT. 1 PERFORMANCE

September 24, 2013

One of the contemporary jazz scene’s most enduring and skilled pianists will play Vancouver Island University’s Malaspina Theatre Oct. 1 with his New York City trio. Harold Mabern, described as “one of the great post-bop pianists” in The Penguin Guide to Jazz Recordings, will be joined on stage by a trio of talented jazz musicians: Cory Weeds on tenor saxophone, John Webber on bass, and Joe... Read more


ELDERCOLLEGE KICKS OFF SATURDAY SPEAKER SERIES

September 23, 2013

Another unique season of Vancouver Island University’s (VIU) popular ElderCollege Saturday Speaker Series is underway. About 50 people attended a recent presentation by VIU Biology professor Rob Wager who explored the question Can Genetically Modified Crops be Used Safely? The series, which runs one Saturday per month, is the brainchild of the VIU ElderCollege Board. “We’ve had great response... Read more


VIU WORKS WITH COWICHAN COMMUNITY TO SUPPORT REGION’S EDUCATIONAL GOALS AND SKILLS TRAINING

September 19, 2013

Vancouver Island University (VIU) is working with key community partners in the Cowichan Valley to support the educational needs of the region, create more opportunities for skills training and, in turn, contribute to the region’s social, cultural and economic prosperity. That was the message from VIU President and Vice-Chancellor Dr. Ralph Nilson in a luncheon address to the Duncan Cowichan... Read more


VIU WELCOMES TWO NEW SPONSORED REFUGEE STUDENTS

September 18, 2013

When Hamdi Aweys and Elizabeth Aduu began their studies at Vancouver Island University last week, they brought with them a strong desire to excel in difficult circumstances, a hope to quickly engage with their new Canadian home, and a quiet determination to build a brighter future. Sponsored by VIU’s World University Service of Canada (WUSC) local committee, Aweys and Aduu are excited to... Read more