Community Engagement

News Stories

Three women smile, one holding a bunch of balloons, another holding a heart balloon near her face

VIU News & Experts: December 1, 2023

December 1, 2023

What can COP28 realistically achieve? 🌍 We had a soul-filling week at VIU. The VIU Foundation's Giving Tuesday campaign raised more than $350,000 for students in need and engaged with a record number of new donors. We celebrated by giving students cookies, smiles and heart balloons. Every dollar raised goes to student scholarships, awards, bursaries and special education initiatives. Learn more.... Read more


Two students hold up signs saying thank you donor and we love our donors and stand in front of red heart balloons

VIU Foundation’s Giving Tuesday campaign raises more than $350,000 for students in need

November 30, 2023

The campaign engaged with a record number of new donors. ­­Vancouver Island University (VIU) students will have more access to scholarships, awards and bursaries following the university’s annual Giving Tuesday campaign. The campaign, which wrapped up on Tuesday, November 28, saw the community band together to support students, raising more than $350,000 for scholarships, bursaries, awards and... Read more


Riley Yesno portrait

Indigenous speaker elevates the voices of the “Reconciliation Generation”

November 15, 2023

Riley Yesno will deliver the keynote address at VIU’s Indigenous Speakers Series event on November 22. Riley Yesno is part of a generation of Indigenous youth who have grown up with the term reconciliation occupying an ever-increasing share of Canada’s national dialogue. The queer Anishinaabe scholar, writer and commentator from Eabametoong First Nation has spent a great deal of time thinking... Read more


Stephen Davies sits at his computer with a digitized letter on the screen

Putting a human face to the Canadian war experience

November 7, 2023

Expert commentary with Dr. Stephen Davies, Director of the Canadian Letters and Images Project Vancouver Island University History Professor Dr. Stephen Davies is founder of the Canadian Letters and Images Project, an online, digital archive of Canadian wartime letters and related materials. He started the project in 2000 to help his students understand the First and Second World Wars. Over the... Read more


Group photo of WW1 soldiers with text that reads Nanaimo Remembers

VIU and community partners remember local fallen soldiers through video memorial

November 1, 2023

VIU video project acknowledges Nanaimo soldiers’ contributions to the First and Second World Wars. A Vancouver Island University (VIU) video memorial project that tells the story of Nanaimo soldiers who made the ultimate sacrifice during the First and Second World Wars will be displayed across the city. For the 11 days leading up to Remembrance Day, the Nanaimo Remembers project will display the... Read more


Three women smile at camera

VIU celebrates local and global community during WorldVIU Days

October 30, 2023

The theme of the week-long event, which runs November 6 to 10, is Community Through Movement. An annual, week-long event that celebrates cultural diversity on campus is returning to Vancouver Island University (VIU). Taking place from November 6 to 10, WorldVIU Days brings people together to find common ground and build community. “This year’s theme is Community through Movement and we’re playing... Read more


Hands hold a long bill with a grocery cart in the background

VIU News & Experts: October 6, 2023

October 6, 2023

Grocery store prices, land stewardship and more 🌏 VIU is excited to introduce DiscoverFest, a new, free community event that includes live music, an artisan market, science demos, expert talks, campus tours, activities for kids and teens, food trucks, a beer garden and much more. DiscoverFest is for: Anyone interested in getting out and learning more about VIU Students exploring post-secondary... Read more


colourful banner that reads DiscoverFest

VIU invites public to new community event

September 25, 2023

DiscoverFest at VIU takes place on Saturday, October 21 from 12 to 4 pm. Everyone is invited to spend an afternoon at Vancouver Island University‘s (VIU’s) Nanaimo campus for DiscoverFest, a new community event designed to bring people together, create connections and showcase the University’s programs and expertise. Highlights of the event include: A community stage with live music and... Read more


VIU expert spotlight

VIU News & Experts: September 6

September 6, 2023

As a new school year begins, educators are looking at how AI tools like Chat GPT will change teaching and learning. Also in this issue:  Climate action experts Should cellphones be allowed in the classroom?  How a VIU prof's research could change cancer treatments Featured experts Cellphones and AI in the classroom As students head back to school, a debate is raging about bringing two different... Read more


Girl with arms spread wide, tents behind her

VIU News & Experts: August 28, 2023

August 28, 2023

Wildfires, drought and climate anxiety experts 🌍 From August 29 to September 1, VIU is hosting its annual RockVIU new student orientation, a series of events designed to get students connected with services, each other and faculty. VIU is expecting more than 800 students to join in the fun. A great photo op time is Thursday, August 31 with the Connect Fair Carnival taking over parking lot G on... Read more