Writing Centre earns kudos at international conference
June 22, 2010
Vancouver Island University’s Writing Centre gained international recognition at the European Writing Centres Association conference held in Paris in May. Addressing more than 140 delegates from 30 countries, keynote speaker Dr. Chris Anson described VIU’s Centre as “highly innovative” because it engages faculty tutors rather than peer tutors. VIU’s program “stands as an exemplar for engaging... Read more
VIU appoints new Vice-President Academic and Provost
June 21, 2010
Dr. Ralph Nilson, President and Vice-Chancellor for Vancouver Island University (VIU) announced today that Dr. David Witty has accepted the position of Vice-President Academic and Provost with VIU. “The VP Academic and Provost will play a key role in shaping the education programs, student support infrastructure, community engagement activities and scholarship at the university,” said Nilson. “... Read more
GrandKids University returns to VIU for third year
June 21, 2010
Grandparents and their grandchildren are discovering school spirit together once again at Vancouver Island University. They’re packing their bags and coming to VIU for two days in July. GrandKids University runs July 7 and 8 and features five Majors. Participants can get hands-on learning experiences with Field Biology, Anthropology, Fisheries & Aquaculture, Earth Sciences or University:... Read more
Future mechanics use truck donation for hands-on learning
June 18, 2010
Students training to become mechanics will benefit from Vancouver Island University’s close connections to the community. A long-standing relationship between VIU’s Heavy Duty/Commercial Transport Mechanics program and Waste Management has resulted in another donation – this time a 1997 residential collection vehicle for student training purposes. It’s the fifth truck donation from Waste... Read more
VIU's Not Rocket Science radio show wins national honour
June 17, 2010
Vancouver Island University’s Not Rocket Science radio show has reached new heights with a National Campus Community Radio Association annual award for Outstanding Achievement in Current Affairs. The bi-weekly radio show produced by members of VIU's faculty of Science and Technology was in competition with 60 radio stations across Canada. The campus-based radio show — a low-key version of CBC's... Read more
Award-winning graduate grateful for strong connection to faculty
June 16, 2010
"She'll accomplish amazing things wherever she goes." That’s how Vancouver Island University professor Mark Blackell describes one of his star students, 22-year-old Laura Buzzard, recipient of this year’s Governor General’s Silver Medal. The medal is awarded to an undergraduate student who achieves the highest academic standing from a full-time Bachelor Degree program. Buzzard graduated with a... Read more
VIU Foundation grateful for donors’ generosity
June 8, 2010
Wahid Ali, chair of Vancouver Island University Foundation, is deeply grateful to community members who responded to a special request for funding to support the university’s endowment awards. The awards are financed through interest raised on an endowment fund that now tops $12 million. With the downturn in the economy through much of 2009, endowment revenue dipped and there was a risk that... Read more
VIU awards 520 degrees in spring convocation
June 1, 2010
Vancouver Island University is awarding degrees to 520 students from 13 programs in three ceremonies on May 31 and June 1 at the Port Theatre in Nanaimo. Weather permitting, there will an academic procession of graduates before each ceremony from the Port Theatre to Commercial Street, down Commercial to Bastion Street, down Bastion Street to Front Street, down Front Street and back to the Port... Read more
Outstanding Service Award recognizes heavy duty support for VIU
May 31, 2010
“A delightful surprise.” That’s how Ross Somerville describes his feelings about receiving this year’s Outstanding Service Award from Vancouver Island University. Somerville will receive the special honour at VIU’s Faculty of Trades and Applied Technology graduation ceremony June 25.. The award recognizes Somerville’s outstanding service to VIU over many years. “This is completely unexpected... Read more
New chair for VIU Foundation
May 28, 2010
Wahid Ali, Investment Advisor TD Waterhouse, is the new chair of Vancouver Island University Foundation. Ali joined the VIU Foundation as a Director in 2007 and is active in the annual Business Breakfast and Festival of Trees – both fundraisers for scholarships, awards and bursaries for VIU students. “We have an ambitious goal to increase our endowments substantially over the next three years.... Read more