Community Says Farewell to Outgoing VIU President Dr. Ralph Nilson
June 28, 2019
After more than 12 years as President and Vice-Chancellor of Vancouver Island University, Dr. Ralph Nilson is retiring on June 30, 2019. “It’s been an incredible privilege to be here, and I look forward to watching the continued growth of this institution.” Dr. Ralph Nilson may be retiring as President and Vice-Chancellor of Vancouver Island University (VIU) at the end of June, but he will not... Read more
VIU Raises Snuneymuxw First Nation and Metis Nation Flags at Nanaimo Campus
June 24, 2019
In recognition of the longstanding relationship Vancouver Island University (VIU) has with two of its Indigenous partners – Snuneymuxw First Nation and Métis Nation – flags for each of these Nations were raised at the Nanaimo Campus on National Indigenous Peoples Day (Friday, June 21, 2019). The Snuneymuxw and Métis flags joined the national, provincial and VIU flags already flying in the Royal... Read more
VIU Hosts Summer Camps for Indigenous High School Students
June 6, 2019
Thanks to the generosity of The Peter Cundill Foundation, VIU is offering three free camps at the University’s Cowichan, Powell River and Nanaimo campuses this summer to encourage high school students to consider post-secondary. Making the transition to university can be scary, especially if you have never left your community before, or pictured yourself as a university student. Three free summer... Read more
VIU Recognizes Alumni for Achievements in Language Preservation and Research
May 23, 2019
Luu Gaahlandaay (Kevin Borserio) and Alexis Deighton MacIntyre will receive Distinguished Alumni Awards during VIU’s June 2019 convocation ceremonies. Two Vancouver Island University (VIU) alumni who have leveraged their education for the benefit of society in the areas of language preservation and the cognitive science of music will receive Distinguished Alumni Awards this June. Luu... Read more
Global Philanthropists Recognized by VIU for Education Advocacy
May 2, 2019
In recognition of their efforts to empower youth through education, Reeta Roy, President and CEO of the Mastercard Foundation, and Peggy Woo, Strategic Advisor to the Foundation, will receive Honorary Doctor of Laws degrees from VIU on Wednesday, June 5, 2019. Two women who have positively impacted the lives of hundreds of thousands of youth in Africa and, more recently, Canada, will receive... Read more
Sustainable Seafood Ambassador to Receive Honorary Degree From VIU
April 30, 2019
Ocean Wise Executive Chef Ned Bell will receive an Honorary Doctor of Technology degree at VIU’s June 21 Convocation ceremony. A man who has impacted the way thousands of chefs and individuals around the world buy and consume seafood will be honoured by VIU. Ned Bell is an award-winning chef advocate, keynote speaker, educator and founder of Chefs for Oceans, an organization that raises... Read more
Nine Haida Elders Receive VIU's Most Prestigious Award for Language and Culture Preservation
April 29, 2019
Haida Elders create “Great Work” over two decades to preserve and revitalize their language; Vancouver Island University recognizes Elders’ contributions with honorary degrees on Monday, June 3, 2019. When a culture loses its language, an irreparable connection to the essence of a people is gone. One way to kill a Nation is to kill their language. The architects of the Canadian Indian... Read more
VIU Initiatives Trust Exploring Business Opportunities
April 23, 2019
The Trust undertakes revenue-generating initiatives for the benefit of VIU and the VIU Foundation. Vancouver Island University (VIU) has created a business entity that will allow the institution to participate in the economy in ways that VIU isn’t able to do on its own. Following in the footsteps of several other post-secondary institutions across British Columbia, VIU has created a trust to... Read more
VIU Presents Balanced Budget for 2019/2020
April 4, 2019
Budget supports VIU’s key objectives outlined in the Academic Plan and reflects growth through student enrolment, contract delivery, external support for social impact initiatives and the popularity of VIU among international students. Vancouver Island University (VIU) continues to grow together through a consolidated balanced budget of $158.8 million for the 2019/2020 fiscal year. The budget... Read more
VIU Welcomes New Elders-in-Residence at Nanaimo Campus
March 28, 2019
Maxine Hayman Matilpi (Lakwa) and Barney Williams (Klith-wii-taa) join four other Elders-in-Residence offering support, traditional knowledge and spiritual guidance to students at the Nanaimo Campus. Vancouver Island University (VIU) has two new Elders-in-Residence at the Nanaimo Campus. Since the program started in the 1990s, VIU Elders-in-Residence have played an important role at the... Read more