Tla’amin Nation gifts ʔayʔaǰuθəm name to local VIU campus
September 20, 2022
VIU’s campus in the qathet region will now be called tiwšɛmawtxw. The Tla’amin Nation Executive Council has gifted Vancouver Island University (VIU) the name tiwšɛmawtxw (teew-shem- awt-xw), which means House of Learning, for its campus located in ɬaʔamɩn ʔəms gijɛ (Tla’amin Territory). The... Read more
VIU welcomes new Director of Equity, Diversity and Human Rights
September 15, 2022
Monique McKay takes on key leadership role with the University After an extensive recruitment process that focused on equity and inclusion, Vancouver Island University (VIU) is pleased to announce that it has appointed Monique McKay as the Director of the Office of Equity, Diversity and Human... Read more
VIU welcomes three new refugee students
September 14, 2022
The students are pursuing their degrees here after arriving from refugee camps in Uganda. Growing up in war-torn Somalia, Hanan Ali Abdi still remembers the moment her life changed forever and set her on a course to becoming a Vancouver Island University (VIU) student this year. The moment happened... Read more
View Gallery presents Cindy Stelmackowich – Trenched
September 7, 2022
The exhibit runs from September 15 to November 11. Vancouver Island University’s (VIU’s) View Gallery is excited to welcome Ottawa-based sculptor Cindy Stelmackowich to present new works in her exhibition Trenched. The projects explore notions of care and violence as each relates to the history of... Read more
More on-campus housing for Vancouver Island University
September 2, 2022
More students who study at Vancouver Island University's (VIU) Nanaimo campus will be able to live where they learn with the addition of 266 new student housing beds and a new dining hall. “Post-secondary students need access to affordable housing to complete their studies, remove barriers to... Read more
Provincial funding improves access to learning for VIU students
August 29, 2022
Vancouver Island University (VIU) is upgrading its campuses to become more inclusive and accessible. “Our post-secondary institutions are committed to making sure learning environments are accessible for all students,” said Anne Kang, Minister of Advanced Education and Skills Training. “Improving... Read more
VIU welcomes new students with a week of activities and events
August 29, 2022
What: RockVIU new student orientation When: August 29 to September 2, 2022 Where: Nanaimo campus, Cowichan campus, online/virtual Nanaimo & Duncan, BC: Hundreds of new students will be heading to Vancouver Island University’s (VIU’s) Nanaimo and Cowichan campuses to participate in orientation... Read more
5 Questions with Whitney Wood
August 23, 2022
Dr. Whitney Wood crossed one more thing off her bucket list this summer when she appeared on Jeopardy! in June. The audition process started in 2019 and was delayed because of the pandemic, but in the spring of 2022 she got the call to appear on the show. The episode was taped at the end of April... Read more
In Photos: VIU Horticulture program helps grow connections with Belize
August 22, 2022
Belizean partners come to Nanaimo to work on curriculum together Vancouver Island University (VIU) is helping Belizean institutions develop programs that teach students in agriculture and agroforestry programs how to mitigate and adapt to climate change. The university is leading an $825,000... Read more
VIU researchers measure methane at Alberni Valley Landfill
August 17, 2022
Student researchers gain valuable hands-on experiences while helping to fight climate change. Methane is more potent than carbon dioxide and reducing or eliminating emissions is a critical step to help fight climate change. Researchers at Vancouver Island University (VIU) are working with the ... Read more

VIU Voices
Here you will find helpful information about new initiatives at VIU, process and policies changes that affect how we work, stories about the people who make up this fantastic community and examples of the life-changing work our employees undertake on a regular basis.

Speaker Series
Vancouver Island University organizes several annual speaker series as well as visiting guest lectures, one-off talks and other speaker events of interest to the wider public. Learn more and view the upcoming calendar on our Speaker Series website.