Community Engagement

News Stories

Barbara Paterson

VIU awards honorary degree to acclaimed Canadian sculpture artist

June 15, 2022

Barbara Paterson will receive an Honorary Doctorate of Letters at the June 24 morning convocation ceremony.    ­­ If there’s a piece of advice Barbara Paterson would like to offer this year’s graduates at Vancouver Island University (VIU), it’s to “start out small with your ideas, promote those ideas, keep working on it and just don’t stop.” Paterson is an internationally acclaimed Canadian... Read more


Portrait photo of William Good

VIU awards honorary degree to Coast Salish Master Carver and Traditional Storyteller

June 15, 2022

ts’usqinuxun’, William Good, a Hereditary Chief from the Snuneymuxw First Nation, will receive an Honorary Doctorate of Letters at VIU’s June 23 convocation ceremony. ts’usqinuxun’, William Good has played an integral role in the revitalization of Coast Salish art. “When I first started, nobody understood the art, nobody recognized the art, people were learning through different books. Now there’... Read more


Portrait photo of Stephen Jarislowsky

VIU awards honorary degree to respected philanthropist and businessman

June 15, 2022

Stephen Jarislowsky will receive an Honorary Doctorate of Letters at VIU’s June 24 afternoon convocation ceremony. There are two things you need to do to get ahead in life – you have to learn how to think and you need to lead an ethical life. This advice comes from Stephen Jarislowsky, who directed the growth of one of the largest and most successful management firms in Canada, and who has... Read more


Deborah Saucier and Stephen Jarislowsky signing documents seated at a table

Vancouver Island University receives $2 million to educate future public service leaders

June 8, 2022

VIU has been selected to join a prestigious new network to establish a Chair in Trust and Political Leadership. Vancouver Island University (VIU) is one of five Canadian universities selected to form a unique network focused on educating future politicians and civil servants. The Jarislowsky Foundation has chosen Acadia University, Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières (in collaboration with l’... Read more


Three people hold up tampon boxes

VIU to Offer Free Menstrual Products at all Campuses

May 5, 2022

University, in partnership with VIU Students’ Union, signs on to the United Way’s Period Promise campaign. Free menstrual products will soon be available in washrooms at all Vancouver Island University (VIU) campuses. VIU, in partnership with the VIU Students’ Union, has signed on to the United Way’s Period Promise campaign, which raises awareness about the issue of period poverty and menstrual... Read more


Three people standing in front of Royal Roads University

New Program Prepares Next Generation of Climate Solution Global Leaders

April 21, 2022

A new partnership between three prominent island educational institutions marks Earth Day by investing in future climate action leaders to find solutions for the complex challenge of climate change.  Two recently signed Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs) between pre-university school Pearson College UWC, Vancouver Island University (VIU) and Royal Roads University (RRU) formalized the collective... Read more


A fire engulfing numerous trees.

VIU Student Group Hosts Climate Change Symposium

April 14, 2022

The symposium includes a keynote presentation by Dr. Elizaveta Malinina, a Research Scientist at the Canadian Centre for Climate Modelling. We must act now to fight climate change. This cry of alarm has been sounded many times, but it hasn’t been answered sufficiently to halt the release of greenhouse gases or the impacts of climate change, including the increased frequency and intensity of... Read more


The Future of Reconciliation in Canada A VIU Conversation

VIU Hosts a Conversation on the Future of Reconciliation in Canada

April 13, 2022

What: The Future of Reconciliation in Canada: A VIU Conversation When: Wednesday, April 20, 2022, 10-11:30 am  Where: Online (Zoom webinar)   Reconciliation is a complex concept with a variety of definitions, meaning different things to different people, but one thing many agree upon is that for reconciliation to become a reality, significant structural and societal changes are needed.... Read more


Nine people gathered around conceptual drawing of Shq’apthut (A Gathering Place)

Provincial Government Funds Expansion of Shq’apthut, VIU’s Indigenous Gathering Place

April 8, 2022

Investment will enhance on-campus learning experience for Indigenous and non-Indigenous students Indigenous students at Vancouver Island University (VIU) will soon have access to more space as Shq’apthut (A Gathering Place) is expanded at the Nanaimo campus. The building is a home away from home for Indigenous students where cultural, academic, recreational and social activities are promoted and... Read more


Leading the Future Together text with a background of mountains

VIU Students Aim for Connection with Youth Leadership Conference

March 30, 2022

The Vancouver Island Leadership Conference happens Friday, April 1 to Saturday, April 2, 2022 at VIU’s Malaspina Theatre and the Vancouver Island Conference Centre Dozens of emerging leaders will gather for two days of keynote talks, career advice and fun activities during the Vancouver Island Leadership Conference April 1-2. An annual event organized by Vancouver Island University (VIU) students... Read more