Summer Semester fun 🙌
Need a break from your studies? We have some fun events coming up that we hope you’ll join us at, including the Asian Heritage Month celebration and Show Your Pride. Also – VIU recently received a very large grant to support students doing work experience such as unpaid field placements, co-ops and more. Read on to learn more.
Need to know
Asian Heritage Month celebration
Join us in celebrating Asian Heritage Month at VIU and represent your culture, country or region at the event. Activities include culture couch, culture boards, pin making, food, music and much more! This year’s theme is Unity in Diversity: The Impact of Asian Communities in Shaping Canadian Identity. Get involved by creating a culture board. Trifold boards for display, printing support and markers are available at International Reception, Building 255. Sign up to procure supplies and reserve your table. The Asian Heritage Month event is:
Date: Monday, May 26, noon to 2 pm
Location: Malaspina Theatre Lobby (Building 310)
Learn about Work-Integrated Learning
The Centre for Experiential Learning and Student Engagement has secured nearly $300,000 in funding to directly support eligible students participating in Work-Integrated Learning (WIL) between May and December 2025. At VIU, 72% of programs give you the chance to connect with industry and apply your skills in real-world settings – helping you get career-ready. WIL is a collaborative model that brings together students the university and host organizations to integrate academic learning with hands-on experience in the workplace or community. Learn about WIL opportunities.
More scholarships still open – apply now! 💸
Did you miss the deadline for VIU scholarship applications? We have lots of external awards listed online that have later application deadlines. Thanks to the 1,564 current and future students who completed their VIU Scholarship, Award and Bursary profiles before the March 31 deadline. The Financial Aid team has completed selections for entrance awards for our future students and will spend the next couple of months doing selections for the remaining 400+ awards and scholarships that will be disbursed in September.
Student shoutout
Congratulations to our Baking and Culinary students! They made history to create something truly legendary — the world’s biggest Nanaimo bar.
This massive dessert masterpiece wasn’t just a feat of baking. It was a celebration of community, creativity and VIU pride. Big thanks to everyone who came out and helped make this an event to remember!
Connect
Pride Flag Raising and Show Your Pride
Join the Positive Space Alliance in raising the pride flag in recognition of Pride Month followed by music, games and pride themed cupcakes. Learn more about Show Your Pride.
Date: Monday, June 2, 11:45 am to 12:45 pm
Location: Nanaimo campus, RBC Plaza (in front of Building 200)
Nanaimo Pride Parade 🌈
Join the Positive Space Alliance in representing VIU by walking with us in the Nanaimo Pride Parade on Sunday, June 8! Students and employees are welcome to join. Please email PositiveSpace@viu.ca for more information about the meeting location and time.
Share your experience – become a student ambassador! 🧑💻
Love being part of the VIU community? Want to help future students feel at home at VIU? Join our team as a student ambassador! The Office of Future Students currently has two positions available for summer jobs. Apply through Experience Hub.
- Communications and Marketing Assistant
Gain real-world experience in a fast-paced, professional Canadian workplace without leaving campus! As a communications and marketing assistant, you'll build your portfolio, collaborate on creative campaigns, and learn from experienced mentors. This is your opportunity to make your mark and prepare for a future in marketing and communications.
- Summer Lead Student Ambassador
Ready to take your leadership to the next level? As a summer lead student ambassador, you'll guide campus tours, plan recruitment events and help shape the future of the Student Ambassador Program. Be the face of VIU and make a lasting impact on future students.
Supports & services
Work out at the VIU gym 🏋🏽
The VIU gym’s weight room is currently open from 8 am to 7:30 pm during the week and VIU students get free access after registering at the gym’s front desk (Building 190). The gym floor is also open weekday afternoons and evenings in May, bring some friends by to shoot hoops or play badminton.
Check out the library’s summer fun guide
If you’re taking summer courses, remember library research help is available. Looking to relax a bit? Check out our summer fun online guide for movies, games, books and other fun things in our collection. Have little ones that you want to keep busy while you study? Check out our family room at the Nanaimo campus library! If there’s anything else you need, just ask!
Connect with an advisor
Friendly reminder that the Advising Centre is open all summer at the Nanaimo campus in Building 200. Extended drop-in hours Monday through Thursday, 8:30 am to 5 pm. Advisors can also be reached by email Advising@viu.ca, phone 250.740.6410 or you can book an online or phone appointment. Learn more about ways you can meet with an educational advisor.
Learn about international study opportunities ✈️
VIU students have access to unique international travel and study opportunities through the University Mobility in Asia and the Pacific (UMAP). This summer, we are highlighting Program C opportunities, short-term (one to eight week) summer programs hosted by UMAP partner institutions around the world. These programs focus on a range of academic and cultural themes, and many offer full or partial scholarships that may cover tuition, accommodation or both. Learn more about Program C opportunities and reach out to InternationalMobility@viu.ca for help with how to apply or any other questions.
Trades WIL Bursary 💸
Are you in a VIU Trades Foundation program, certificate or diploma, completing an unpaid work-experience placement? You could qualify for $1,500 to $1,825 through the Trades WIL Bursary program. This funding helps offset travel, lost income and time away from paid employment so you can focus on building your career. Funding is provided through the CEWIL Innovation Hub (iHub) and the Government of Canada’s I-WIL Initiative. Learn about the eligibility requirements and apply on VIU’s Experience Hub.
Increasing Access to WIL Bursary
Completing an unpaid internship, field experience or practicum? You could receive up to $1,750 through the Increasing Access to WIL Bursary. It’s available to eligible students completing unpaid, credit-bearing Work-Integrated Learning (WIL) placements in a variety of undergraduate and graduate programs. With 55 bursaries available, this program supports students in programs like Arts, Health, Business, Social Sciences and more. Funding is provided through the CEWIL Innovation Hub (iHub) and the Government of Canada’s I-WIL Initiative. Learn about the eligibility requirements and apply on VIU’s Experience Hub.
Scholarship awards update and thanks
Thank you to all students who completed your scholarships, awards and bursaries profile with Financial Aid. Selections for scholarships and awards are currently underway. Most departmental awards have been selected and the students notified, but we have a few dozen left to do. If you have received an award, we would love to interview you for our communications updates! We love sharing good news.
Got exam accommodations? 📣
Intersession and summer sessions fly by fast so check your quiz, test and exam dates ASAP to beat the seven-day booking deadline. Plan ahead so you don’t miss out! ⏰✅ Need a hand? Pop by our Exam Centre in Building 255, Room 115, or email us at AccommodatedExams@viu.ca. We’ve got you covered.
Food Services and Campus Store hours 🥪
Now that Spring Semester classes are over, Food Services and the Campus Stores are transitioning to summer hours. Hours are as follows:
- Main cafeteria (Building 300) is open 8 am to 2 pm until August 22. The cafeteria will be closed June 9 and 10 for convocation.
- Lower cafeteria (Building 185) is open May 12 to June 12 from 7:30 am to 2 pm (Monday to Thursday). Closed June 13 to August 24.
- Starbucks is open from 7 am to 5 pm until May 30.
- Campus Store Nanaimo: open 10 am to 3 pm until August 15. Open 8 am to 6 pm on June 9 and 10 for convocation gown drop off.
- Campus Store Cowichan: open 9:30 am to 2 pm, Monday to Thursday, until June 19, then closed for the remainder of the summer.
Substance use and overdose prevention website 🖥️
Did you know that VIU has a substance use and overdose prevention program aimed at providing education, resources and training to support the health and safety of our community? This initiative is available to all VIU employees and students. We encourage our community to bookmark the substance use and overdose prevention website, where many of these resources are shared and upcoming training sessions will be listed. This website also details where you can find naloxone kits on campus.
Career Studio change in opening hours ⏰
As we move into finals season and Intersession, the Career Studio is adjusting its hours accordingly. The studio is open 12 to 2 pm, Monday to Friday. Book your appointment online via Experience Hub or drop-in at any time during these hours.
Accessible parking upgrades 🚙
To improve accessibility and better support users of designated accessible parking stalls, VIU has optimized accessible parking in Lots C, F, G, J, K, P, Q, S and V1. This work includes adding 14 accessible parking stalls, creating a new access aisle in Lot V1 and converting three accessible stalls to general parking. These changes make accessible stalls now closer to main campus gateways and building entrances, with smoother, easier routes for getting around.
International supports and services
Stop by or reach out to us if you need help navigating medical insurance and applying for BC MSP. Stop by Building 255, Room 200, Monday to Friday, from 8 am to 4 pm, phone 250.740.6527 or email support.international@viu.ca. Closed weekends and statutory holidays.
Affordable dental care 🪥
Are you looking for affordable dental care right on campus? There is a dental clinic in Building 180! For only $35, you can receive thorough oral health care provided to you by dental hygiene students. The VIU Student Dental Hygiene Clinic operates and accepts new clients from September through April. Give us a call at 250.740.6240 to become a client! Learn more about how to become a client.
Physiotherapy services 🏃
Physiotherapy services are coming to the VIU Health and Wellness Centre! Call 250.740.6416 or come in person to book. Payment due at the time of the session. Invoices can be submitted to VIUSU Greenshield Health Benefits or employees can access their benefits for reimbursement! Learn more.
Mark your calendars
Interested in becoming a naloxone trainer?
Student employees are invited to join our overdose prevention efforts and become a naloxone trainer to support overdose prevention efforts on campus. Student employees would receive training and help deliver education sessions and workshops, provide training and resources at campus events and play a key role in fostering a safer and more information campus community. If you’re interested email kayla.fowler@viu.ca with the workshop date you are interested in attending. There are two upcoming training sessions:
- May 23, 9 to 11 am
- June 3, 1 to 3 pm
Stay in the know
Stay on top of what's happening at VIU. Find ways to get involved:
- Campus Events website
Check out the VIU Safety App 🤳
One of the easiest ways to find out what’s happening on campus during an emergency or snow closure is through VIU’s Safety App. Download the app (it’s free!) and be sure to enable push notifications. If anything is happening on campus relating to safety, health or emergencies that you need to know about, you will get an automatic notification. Watch the VIU Safety App informational video.
Related Posts
