VIU Awards Honorary Doctorate to Inventor and Diving Industry Pioneer Phil Nuytten
May 29, 2017
Scientist Phil Nuytten designs undersea suits and submersibles used by the navy, NASA and Hollywood When R.T. (Phil) Nuytten was eight years old, he lived a block away from the Vancouver Shipyard. He remembers lying on the wharf planks, looking at the sea anemones and schools of fish around the pilings, wishing he could go down there. The young boy quickly learned to use a mask and fins, and... Read more
Construction of District Geo-Exchange Energy System Underway at VIU
May 25, 2017
Relying on water trapped underground in the abandoned Wakesiah mine, VIU’s geo-exchange system represents a huge leap forward in sustainability Nobody could predict that the scores of workers who toiled in the Wakesiah coal mine in the early 1900s would be providing the infrastructure needed to heat and cool buildings at a University – nearly a century later. Vancouver Island University’s (VIU... Read more
VIU Welcomes New Executive Director of Human Resources
April 10, 2017
Dan Vandersluis joins University in key leadership role Vancouver Island University (VIU) is pleased to announce that Dan VanderSluis has recently joined VIU as the Executive Director of Human Resources. In this role Dan will support the development and execution of University-wide Human Resources strategies and ensure the high quality human resources services at VIU continue to attract, retain... Read more
Nanaimo Family's Generous Donation Leaves Lasting Legacy for VIU Technical Theatre Students
April 4, 2017
Eldred and Joyce Classen have created an award in honour of their son, Brent Classen, an alum of the Theatre program who passed away in 2015 The show will go on for countless Vancouver Island University (VIU) Technical Theatre students, thanks to a generous donation from a couple who wanted to leave a lasting legacy in memory of their son. Nanaimo residents Eldred and Joyce Classen lost their... Read more
VIU Supports Federal Budget's Investments in Students and Innovation
March 29, 2017
The 2017 federal budget supports key areas of focus at VIU, including support for Indigenous learners, increased access to post-secondary education and investments in skills development and research Vancouver Island University (VIU) President and Vice-Chancellor Dr. Ralph Nilson says new investments outlined in the 2017 federal budget will increase student access to post-secondary education,... Read more
VIU Names New University Librarian
March 15, 2017
Ben Hyman takes on key leadership role at University Vancouver Island University (VIU) is pleased to announce that Ben Hyman has accepted a position as University Librarian, effective February 13. As University Librarian he is responsible for defining priorities and policies, providing leadership to area staff and leading the academic planning and development of the library. Ben has had a... Read more
New Counsellor at VIU Aims to Support Indigenous Students
March 10, 2017
Noelle Hanuse, from the Oweekeno and Klahoose Nations, will provide counselling services and other supports to VIU’s Indigenous and non-Indigenous students Noelle Hanuse is on a quest – to reach out to Indigenous students at Vancouver Island University (VIU) who may not be aware of the counselling services available at the university or might have previously hesitated to access services. One of... Read more
Author and Human Rights Activist Monia Mazigh Coming to VIU for Reading and Talk
March 6, 2017
Mazigh shares the story of what happened when her husband, Maher Arar, was deported to Syria and held there without charge Dr. Monia Mazigh knows what it’s like to have your life torn apart overnight. Mazigh was propelled into the spotlight in September 2002 when her husband, Maher Arar, was deported to Syria, where he was held without charge and tortured for more than a year. She campaigned... Read more
International Sustainable Indigenous Tourism Symposium comes to VIU
March 1, 2017
Symposium will promote sustainable Indigenous tourism discussion and action and features Indigenous keynote speakers and presenters The sustainable Indigenous tourism industry is growing across Canada thanks to organized efforts by Indigenous communities and leaders who are actively creating opportunities in the sector. Based on a tourism model that honours and celebrates Indigenous traditions... Read more
VIU Theatre Tackles Classic Victorian Horror Novel The Picture of Dorian Gray
February 22, 2017
Comox Valley-based playwright Robinson Wilson wrote a new adaptation of the famous novel by Oscar Wilde for the Theatre Department’s spring production Join Vancouver Island University (VIU) students and community members in an exploration of society’s obsession with exterior beauty and what sometimes lies beneath during the Theatre Department’s spring play in March. The Picture of Dorian Gray... Read more