Announcements

Experience VIU

VIU Invites People to Experience University Life in Live Virtual Events

January 4, 2021

Experience VIU 2021 takes place January 16, 20 and 21 While the COVID-19 pandemic has meant that much of the teaching and learning activities at Vancouver Island University (VIU) are happening online this year, that isn’t stopping the University from hosting its open house events for prospective students. This January, VIU is rolling Discovery Days, the University’s biggest on-campus event for... Read more


Dub poet Lillian Allen

Juno-Award-Winning Dub Poet Lillian Allen to Give VIU Gustafson Lecture and Reading

December 23, 2020

The annual lecture will take place online February 11, 2021 via Zoom Webinar Dub poetry emerged out of the 1960s Jamaican reggae scene to articulate the joy and protest of Black people. Canadian poet Lillian Allen is the “godmother of dub,” and was at the forefront of that international movement. Allen, who continues to innovate in poetry and creative writing pedagogy, has been chosen as... Read more


VIU COVID Testing Clinic

VIU and Island Health Partner on COVID Testing Location at Nanaimo Campus

December 22, 2020

Please Note: The testing and collection clinic has relocated to Nanaimo North Town Centre from Vancouver Island University's Nanaimo campus. Read more at Island Health.  To improve community access to COVID-19 testing, VIU is pleased to partner with Island Health to enable drive-through testing in one of our parking lots on the Nanaimo campus. The collection site opened on December 1 and is... Read more


media highlights viu

VIU Media Highlights: November 24 - December 7, 2020

December 9, 2020

NEWS STORIES  Top Performing article for the last two weeks: CBC News: BC Poet Sings About Being Black in Nanaimo. Features VIU Creative Writing Professor Dr. Sonnet L’abbe. Reach: 7 million people. This story also appeared in the Nanaimo Bulletin. Other stories: Dr. Shannon Dames’ research into using psychedelic drugs to treat PTSD in health-care workers has had a big response from BC news... Read more


Dr. Linda Derksen with a ramp sign

Rick Hansen Foundation Funds Accessibility Projects at VIU Campuses

December 3, 2020

Accessibility upgrades aim to make VIU buildings in Nanaimo and Duncan accessible for everyone. Power door openers, wayfinding signage, grab bars in washrooms and plus size chairs are some of the improvements students and employees at Vancouver Island University’s (VIU’s) Nanaimo campus and the Cowichan Trades Centre are beginning to see thanks to funding from the BC Accessibility Grants Program... Read more


President's and Provost's Awards for Excellence Celebration Program

December 3, 2020

Presenters in Order of Appearance Emcee and Presenter of the President's Awards for Service Excellence:  Dan VanderSluis, Associate Vice-President, Human Resources Elder Welcome: Geraldine Manson, VIU Elder Opening Remarks: Dr. Deborah Saucier, President and Vice-Chancellor Opening Remarks: Dr. Carol Stuart, Provost and Vice-President, Academic Presenter of the President's Awards for Community... Read more


Ashley Sandhu is a VIU Student Wellness Promoter

VIU Focuses Fundraising Campaign on Helping Students Impacted by Pandemic

November 13, 2020

The University’s seventh annual Giving Tuesday campaign, which runs from November 16 to December 1, will target supports for students impacted financially and mentally by COVID-19. Vancouver Island University (VIU) students, employees and community friends are teaming up to support our most vulnerable students on Giving Tuesday. Giving Tuesday is a global movement for giving that falls on the... Read more


: Dr. Georgina Martin, a VIU Indigenous/Xwulmuxw Studies Professor.

VIU Professor Appointed to Reference Group for Review of Indigenous Research

November 12, 2020

Georgina Martin is the only BC representative to be elected to a national group responsible for providing direction on building mutually respectful relationships between Indigenous communities and researchers. Dr. Georgina Martin, a VIU Indigenous/Xwulmuxw Studies Professor, has been elected to a newly established, national group for the culturally appropriate review of Indigenous research and is... Read more


Jesse Wente, VIU's 2020 Indigenous speaker

VIU Indigenous Speaker Shares a Story of Joy

November 12, 2020

Jesse Wente, an Anishinaabe writer, broadcaster, speaker and arts leader, shares his perspective on Canada’s truth and reconciliation process during VIU’s sixth annual Indigenous Speakers Series on Wednesday, November 25. Jesse Wente is taking a harm reduction approach to the truth and reconciliation process by amplifying the voices of Indigenous peoples. The Anishinaabe writer, broadcaster,... Read more


A Different Kind of University draft strategic plan

VIU Seeking Feedback on Draft Strategic Plan

November 9, 2020

The University’s draft strategic plan, called A Different Kind of University, outlines a five-year vision and direction for VIU that builds on community input heard last spring and summer. ­­ Vancouver Island University (VIU) has developed a vision for the future it would like to see and is ready to hear if the vision resonates with community. A Different Kind of University is the name of VIU’s... Read more