News Stories
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
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
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
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
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
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
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 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
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
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