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News Stories

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


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