Community Engagement

News Stories

Nanaimo Remembers Project

Community Remembers Fallen Soldiers in Remembrance Day Project

October 31, 2019

VIU video memorial that honours Nanaimo soldiers’ contributions to the First and Second World Wars to be displayed across the city. ­­ A unique video memorial project aims to tell a piece of the story of the lives of the Nanaimo soldiers who made the ultimate sacrifice during the First and Second World War. For 11 days leading up to Remembrance Day, the Nanaimo Remembers project will display the... Read more


Deb Saucier and Amanda Simon

VIU Chosen to Offer National Land Management Training for First Nations

October 22, 2019

University will begin offering the Professional Indigenous Lands Management Certificate program in summer 2020. ­­ Behind every sustainable, thriving community is the guiding hand of a land manager tasked with balancing the needs of the people who live there with what needs to be done to ensure resources are protected for future generations. Thanks to the expertise of Vancouver Island University’... Read more


VI Solutions

New Talent/Challenge Matching Program Aims to Solve Real-World Problems

September 30, 2019

VI Solutions, a partnership between VIU and Innovation Island, is a chance for students to solve problems and generate new ideas for Island employers. ­­ A unique new program that aims to connect students directly with employers to solve problems and generate new ideas for growth is seeking organizations to partner with. VI Solutions, a partnership between Vancouver Island University (VIU) and... Read more


Engaged Citizens Speaker Series

VIU Launches New Speaker Series with Renowned Expert on Democracy and Civil Society

September 9, 2019

How and why is citizenship critical to democracy and civil society? Does corporate citizenship exist? What rights and responsibilities should citizens have? Dr. Philip Oxhorn, Dean of International Education at Vancouver Island University (VIU) will explore these questions and more in the inaugural Engaged Citizens Speaker Series talk on Wednesday, September 11. “Democracy is what we make of it... Read more


Master of Community Planning alum Lainy Nowak

VIU Grad Pursues Planning Dreams with City of Nanaimo

May 31, 2019

After conducting research that took her around the world, Master of Community Planning alum Lainy Nowak is working as a Planning Assistant in the City of Nanaimo’s Community Development Department. ­­ As a Planning Assistant with the City of Nanaimo, there is no such thing as a typical day for Lainy Nowak. The Vancouver Island University (VIU) Master of Community Planning alumna, who started work... Read more


Raising a Pint of Ale to Build Links to Ancient Cultures.

Raising a Pint of Ale to Build Links to Ancient Cultures

March 29, 2019

A VIU Ethnoarchaeology research project brings the past to life through the re-creation of ancient-inspired ales hailing from ancient Egypt, Mesopotamia and Scandinavia. Digging up centuries-old artifacts to study human activity may not appeal to everyone, but a Vancouver Island University (VIU) Professor and an undergraduate student have found an engaging way to bring the ancient past to life... Read more


VIU History Class Partners with Nanaimo Museum on Local History Exhibit

December 20, 2018

Students in an upper-level History course at Vancouver Island University (VIU) are combining the research skills they are learning in the classroom with a crash course in exhibit development. VIU History Professor Dr. Katharine Rollwagen’s Public History class has teamed up with the Nanaimo Museum to create an exhibit for the museum’s Community Gallery on the Spanish Flu pandemic of 1918 and its... Read more