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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


A wildfire burns near a road

Expert Q&A: Be wildfire ready

August 22, 2023

Jenn Houtby-Ferguson shares some tips Recreation and Tourism Management Professor Jenn Houtby-Ferguson is currently doing her doctoral work on emergency readiness and risk communications for the tourism and hospitality industries. She’s a delegate with the Canadian Red Cross and has supported responses to emergency scenarios ranging from wildfires to floods to COVID-19 across Canada. She has also... Read more


three automotive students receive instruction from a teacher in the shop

VIU supports newcomers to Canada pursue trades careers

August 11, 2023

The tuition-free program helps newcomers transition into trades education.­­ Newcomers to Canada who want to pursue a career in the trades will get some extra help starting this September, thanks to a new program at Vancouver Island University (VIU). Called Trades Pathways for Newcomers, the cohort-based bridging program supports newcomers looking for a career in the trades by ensuring they have... Read more


Graphic reads VIU expert spotlight with a person getting interviewed in the background

VIU News & Experts: June 9, 2023

June 9, 2023

New "fast ferry" for Nanaimo, Oceans Day and more In this edition of VIU News & Experts:  What a new downtown Vancouver to downtown Nanaimo ferry will mean for the region. Interest rate hikes and what they mean for home buyers/owners. World Oceans Day experts. VIU gets $1 million for innovative upgrading program. Please reach out to us with your requests for experts! We are happy to help. ... Read more


VIU Foundation launches challenge to support students in need

May 30, 2023

Challenge aims to inspire a network of community support for students – and participants can win a day at the spa. Paying for university can be challenging. With record inflation driving up the cost of food, housing and transportation, the Vancouver Island University (VIU) Foundation recognizes that students are finding it harder than ever to make ends meet. That’s why the Foundation created the... Read more


Wildfire with silhouettes of people looking on

VIU news & experts: May 10, 2023

May 10, 2023

From wildfires, to spring snowpacks and a new end-of-life doula course, we have several VIU professors ready to share their knowledge and expertise on timely issues in this week's editon of VIU News & Experts. Please reach out to us with requests for experts. Featured experts Supporting people through end of life VIU is launching one of Canada's first end-of-life doula courses. Social Work... Read more


Split screen shot of Shea Battie smiling for a profile photo on the left, and in action on the turf on the right

VIU Mariners soccer player receives CCAA Torchbearer Scholarship

April 18, 2023

Vancouver Island University (VIU) Mariners Women's Soccer athlete Shea Battie is a recipient of the CCAA Torchbearer Scholarship for 2023 for her work in helping to build peace through play. A fifth-year winger majoring in Kinesiology, Battie's international initiative began following a connection with Journey House Actions Rwanda (JHA), a non-profit program based in Gashora. Introduced to JHA by... Read more


Slide with VIU Experts List written on it

VIU News & Experts: April 13, 2023

April 13, 2023

The Communications and External Relations department is pleased to introduce the VIU Experts List. This searchable list will help you find experts for your stories and it will help our instructors and faculty share their expertise with the world. Each expert profile includes searchable expertise, fields and department categories, as well as a photo and contact info. Looking for expertise that’s... Read more


Michael MacKenzie sits on a bench in front of a stone building

Expert in democracy and public trust joins Vancouver Island University

April 12, 2023

Dr. Michael MacKenzie, VIU’s inaugural Jarislowsky Chair in Trust and Political Leadership, joins unique network across Canada. A new position at Vancouver Island University (VIU) will focus on educating future politicians and civil servants. Dr. Michael K. MacKenzie is VIU’s inaugural Jarislowsky Chair in Trust and Political Leadership. The Jarislowsky Foundation invited Acadia University,... Read more