News

A group of soldiers pose for a photo with Nanaimo Remembers written across the bottom

VIU and community partners remember local fallen armed forces members through video memorial

October 28, 2022

VIU video project acknowledges Nanaimo armed forces members' contributions to the First and Second World Wars. Private Reginald Edgar Emblem, a farmer and resident of South Wellington, served in the 72nd Battalion during the First World War. He died at age 20 of influenza and pneumonia in October... Read more


A group of people in various cultural attire standing in front of a WorldVIU sign on the steps of the VIU library

VIU connects with local and global community at WorldVIU Days

October 25, 2022

What: WorldVIU Days When: October 31 to November 4, 2022 Where: See photo opportunity schedule below An annual, multi-day event that explores how culture influences the way people make sense of the world is returning to Vancouver Island University (VIU) this month. Taking place from October 31 to... Read more


An actor at centre stage has their hands thrown up in the air while they look off in the distance. Numerous cast mates stand behind them in various poses.

VIU’s Theatre Department presents A Good Person

October 24, 2022

WHAT: A Good Person by Ross Desprez – a play by VIU’s Theatre Department WHEN:  October 27 to November 5 WHERE: VIU’s Malaspina Theatre (Building 310), Nanaimo campus Vancouver Island University’s (VIU’s) Theatre Department presents A Good Person by Ross Desprez, which is a comedic adaptation of... Read more


An aerial view of the Nanaimo campus on a sunny day with blue sky.

VIU releases position statement on climate action and sustainability

October 21, 2022

The University has also signed on to the Sustainable Development Goals Accord. Vancouver Island University (VIU) has released a position statement on climate action and sustainability to recognize that universities have an essential role in taking meaningful action to address climate action and... Read more


Omair Quraishi is VIU's Chief Information Officer.

VIU welcomes new Chief Information Officer

October 19, 2022

Vancouver Island University (VIU) is pleased to announce Omair Quraishi has been appointed Chief Information Officer. Quraishi will report to the Chief Financial Officer and VP Administration and will provide the vision and leadership for developing and implementing strategic information technology... Read more


M. NourbeSe Philip stands in the front of a classroom.

Groundbreaking poet M. NourbeSe Philip to deliver VIU Gustafson lecture

October 17, 2022

Philip’s lecture is on October 27 from 7 to 8:30 pm on the Nanaimo campus. Renowned poet, writer and anti-racism activist M. NourbeSe Philip is Vancouver Island University’s (VIU’s) Ralph Gustafson Distinguished Poet for 2022-23. Philip’s lecture is October 27 from 7 to 8:30 pm on the Nanaimo... Read more


VIU Culinary Arts student Darlene Charlie making a sandwich in the Birch Tree cafe kitchen and smiling at the camera

VIU Culinary Arts program in qathet region finds recipe for success

October 13, 2022

The Birch Tree Café & Bistro gives culinary students hands-on training in a real restaurant. After years of serving culinary creations at Brooks Secondary School, a move into a new space is proving to be a successful transition for Vancouver Island University’s (VIU’s) tiwšɛmawtxʷ (Powell... Read more


Headshot of Dr. Shanna Lorenz

Using technology to support Indigenous data sovereignty

September 28, 2022

Dr. Shanna Lorenz, VIU’s 2022 Fulbright Canada Visiting Research Chair in Indigenous Studies, is working with Indigenous communities on a data gathering app.       Dr. Shanna Lorenz’s research is supporting Indigenous data sovereignty thanks to a digital app called Our Data Indigenous, which she... Read more


Burn scars on peatlands in Central Kalimantan province, Indonesia.

Severe fire activity declines in Equatorial Asia

September 28, 2022

Research led by VIU’s Dr. Sean Sloan finds wildfire activity less severe today than in early 2000s, particularly in managed landscapes. Fires have become less severe in Equatorial Asia, potentially marking a new chapter for this tropical epicentre of burning, drought and related carbon emissions,... Read more


Kelly Black looks off to the horizon with a mountain in the distance.

5 Questions with Kelly Black

September 27, 2022

Kelly Black, a Vancouver Island University Adjunct History Professor, received the Anne and Philip Yandle Best Article Award from the BC Historical Federation this June. The article, “Explaining Settlers to Ourselves: Rethinking interpretive narratives at heritage sites” was published in the spring... Read more


faculty member teaching a class

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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.

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