News Stories
Researchers asking Cowichan region residents how they feel about tourism
February 8, 2023
Residents aged 15 and older can share their thoughts in an online survey. The number of visitors to Vancouver Island has nearly recovered to pre-pandemic levels and in some cases, communities are seeing more tourists than even before. Unfortunately, the labour market hasn’t recovered to the same degree and some communities are feeling the strain. The World Leisure Centre of Excellence at ... Read more
From Homeless to Helping Others: VIU Cowichan Student April Murphy's Story
February 23, 2018
An Adult Basic Education student, Murphy overcame multiple barriers to succeed April Murphy has battled illiteracy, homelessness, and addiction and mental health challenges. Now the 33-year-old Vancouver Island University (VIU) Cowichan Adult Basic Education (ABE) student is well on her way to getting her high school diploma, after which she plans to enter the Community Mental Health Worker... Read more
Syrian Refugees Find Welcoming Community at VIU Cowichan
January 19, 2018
Baraa Mohammed and Fanar Sheikh Zein are taking adult upgrading courses at the campus A Syrian couple who spent four years living at a residential complex for refugees in northern Iraq are finding a welcoming new community at Vancouver Island University’s (VIU’s) Cowichan Campus. Baraa Mohammed and Fanar Sheikh Zein, Kurdish Syrians from Qamishli, in the northern part of the country, came to... Read more
Mental Health Awareness Initiative Launched at VIU Cowichan
January 17, 2018
The Friendship Bench aims to stimulate conversations and encourage student-to-student connections An educational experience at Vancouver Island University (VIU) changed Adaline Russell’s outlook on life. In 2008, Russell was severely depressed when she joined a handful of other students at the first Clemente Course offered at VIU – a rigorous, university-level course that offers a doorway into... Read more
VIU Cowichan Seeking More Volunteer Tutors
December 14, 2017
Demand for tutors on the rise due to increasing enrolment at the campus As a volunteer tutor at Vancouver Island University’s (VIU’s) Cowichan Campus, David Johnson enjoys interacting with people of all ages and backgrounds, and breaking down complex math concepts into small steps. “When you see them get it, that just makes it all worth it,” he says. “It’s really rewarding when they realize they... Read more