Adult Basic Education helps student launch nursing career
September 1, 2009
Imagine living in a city that has a population bigger than the entire country of Canada. Now imagine moving to a small island far from home with a population of less than 1200 – and not one person speaks your language. That’s what happened to Cuiping Li when she moved from Leizhou, China, to Texada Island four years ago. Sophie, the name she now uses, used to cry a lot. Feeling isolated,... Read more
VIU researcher studies impact of fly fishing on breast cancer survivors
September 1, 2009
Fly fishing isn’t usually a sport one associates with breast cancer survivors, but a team of volunteers and professionals hope to change that. They are hosting Divas on the Fly, a weekend fly fishing retreat for women diagnosed with breast cancer on Vancouver Island and throughout BC at Tamagawa Centre in Cedar, BC (near Nanaimo) September 18 to 20. “This event is part of a pilot research... Read more
MBA students complete internship in Arctic Circle
August 28, 2009
Four Master of Business Administration (MBA) students from Vancouver Island University are working in the Arctic Circle on a nationally funded research project to help one of Canada’s oldest First Nations communities improve living and working conditions and stimulate the economy. The students are in Aklavik, located in the Inuvik Region of the Northwest Territories on an MBA internship. “We’... Read more
VIU grad hopes to inspire business students
August 28, 2009
Meet Alex (Mrinal) Casewa. He represents a new breed of business leaders. A recent graduate of Vancouver Island University’s Bachelor of Business Administration program (BBA) Casewa is making a name for himself importing and selling a new bio-degradable product called Earthens. The environmentally friendly product consists of dinner plates and bowls of various sizes made with fallen palm... Read more
Students volunteer time in community
August 21, 2009
The Canadian Red Cross office recently got a helping hand with some renovations thanks to a volunteer framing crew from Vancouver Island University. “The students framed an unfinished space to create a meeting room and volunteer area,” said Diane Marwick, Health Equipment Loan Program (HELP) Coordinator, who added that the office has been in its current location since July 2008. “It was a big... Read more
VIU hosting international sturgeon conferences
August 21, 2009
Vancouver Island University is preparing to host two prestigious international events: the World Sturgeon Conservation Society’s North American conference in 2011, and the 7th International Sturgeon Symposium in 2013. A delegation from VIU and the City of Nanaimo will travel to Wuhan, China this fall to accept the winning bid to host the international symposium. The five-day conference will... Read more
Grad pursues passion for community journalism
August 19, 2009
Sometimes it pays to take risks. Wawmeesh George Hamilton discovered that life lesson when he quit a dead-end, unsatisfying job. “It was like an epiphany,” he said. “I needed a change.” After he quit, Hamilton went back to school to earn a degree from Vancouver Island University. Today, he’s an award-winning community newspaper journalist following his passion. Black Press named the 44-year-... Read more
VIU and community partners boost innovation
August 14, 2009
Small businesses in science, technology and innovation on Vancouver Island will benefit from a new training project called InnovatES. Vancouver Island University, through the Centre for Continuing Studies, is working with its community partners, The Career Centre in Parksville and The Mid Island Science Technology and Innovation Council (MISTIC), to offer free, customized training for... Read more
VIU launches new environmental program Sept. 8
August 14, 2009
Are you looking to acquire high-quality, hands on skills in demand in today's environmental sector? Vancouver Island University (VIU) is launching a new six-month professional level Environmental Professional Certificate Program (EPCP) in September. "It's offered by the Natural Resources Extension Program (NREP) at VIU," said program assistant Krista Convey. The training will provide... Read more
VIU President’s Scholarships give students head start
August 13, 2009
Meagan Stewart will start the academic year at Vancouver Island University (VIU) with few financial worries. That’s because the 18-year-old Grade 12 graduate is receiving one of VIU’s first ever tuition free entrance scholarships for top high school scholars. Stewart, a First Nations student from Port Alberni, received a President’s Entrance Scholarship valued at approximately $3,500. The award... Read more