In the Community

VIU Tuition Waiver Student Researches Supports for Former Youth in Care

January 12, 2017

Ruby Barclay works with students in VIU’s Tuition Waiver Program to create awareness about needs of former youth in care  For Ruby Barclay, a third-year Vancouver Island University (VIU) student in the Tuition Waiver Program for former youth in care, post-secondary education has done more than broaden her mind. It’s helped her redefine who she is as a person. “For a long time, my identifier was... Read more


VIU Pilot Program Offers Community Members a One-of-a-Kind Renaissance Experience

December 13, 2016

If you ever wanted to experience the art, philosophy, sights and sounds of Florence, Italy, Adventures in Mind is just what you’re looking for Vancouver Island University (VIU) professor Dr. John Black was strolling through the Convent of San Marco in Florence, Italy delivering a lecture to his Study Abroad students when he turned a corner in the hallway and was struck speechless. “It was on... Read more


VIU Cowichan Helps Record Number of Students with Adult Basic Education Fees

December 9, 2016

Campus helped more than 117 students apply for financial aid this fall, and Galaxy Motors scholarship waived application fees for 27 students as well DUNCAN, BC: Brianna Thorne has always wanted to be a teacher, but life got in the way for a while. Thorne put her lifelong dream on the backburner while she raised her daughter. But now that her daughter is in Grade 11, the 37-year-old has decided... Read more


Open Arms: VIU Welcomes Syrian and Somali Students

November 28, 2016

Three student refugees arrive via Jordan and Kenya to embark on new lives, thanks to VIU student-led sponsorships Night after night, for months on end, Mohammad Tahhan crouched in front of his computer and searched for signs of hope. Tahhan was looking for a program – any program – that would allow him to start over in a new country. As a Syrian in the bustling capital city of Amman, Jordan,... Read more


International Day of Persons with Disabilities Celebrated at VIU Dec. 1

November 24, 2016

Raising awareness about ‘invisible disabilities’ is the theme of this year’s Nanaimo campus event There are many disabilities that you can’t see and that’s a message that Vancouver Island University’s (VIU) Disability Services wants to share with students, faculty, staff and the general public during the 5th Annual International Day of Persons with Disabilities, Dec. 1 at the Nanaimo campus. The... Read more


Island Health and VIU Partner to Promote Education Savings Initiatives

November 23, 2016

Information about the Canada Learning Bond and BC Training and Education Savings Grant will go out in a new parent information package There is funding available for families to put towards their children’s post-secondary education, and thanks to a partnership between Island Health and Vancouver Island University (VIU), new parents in the Nanaimo region will have the information they need to... Read more


VIU's GivingTuesday Campaign Raises Money to Support Students in Need

November 22, 2016

Donors invited to make a difference in the lives of students with a gift to a program or faculty of their choice on November 29 The puck is set to drop on Vancouver Island University’s (VIU’s) 2016 GivingTuesday Campaign, which raises money in support of students. After a record-breaking campaign that raised more than $175,000 in 2015, the 2016 GivingTuesday Campaign will take place on November... Read more


Vancouver Island University Launches Regional Partnership Aimed at Reducing Child Poverty on the Island

November 21, 2016

Local governments and community groups to help spread the word about the Canada Learning Bond and the BC Training and Education Savings Grant Ashley Tom’s two daughters are still in elementary school, but they each already have money earning interest in the bank to put towards their post-secondary educations. Tom, 27, is taking upgrading courses at Vancouver Island University (VIU) and Tillicum... Read more


VIU Celebrates the Raising of a Third Totem Pole at Shq'apthut, the University's Aboriginal Gathering Place

November 15, 2016

Hundreds came out to a special ceremony honouring the third pole, which represents the Kwakwaka’wakw Territories  NANAIMO, BC: Three majestic totem poles representing the three major language groups on Vancouver Island and the Sunshine Coast now stand tall at Shq’apthut, Vancouver Island University’s (VIU’s) Aboriginal Gathering Place. The third pole, representing the Kwakwaka’wakw Territories,... Read more


Students from The High School at VIU Pay Tribute to First Nations Soldiers

November 8, 2016

Grade 11 Social Studies pupils present VIU Remembrance Day ceremony As Remembrance Day nears, a group of students from The High School at Vancouver Island University (VIU) are honouring those fallen in warfare and highlighting the contributions of First Nations soldiers. On Monday, Nov.7, Violet Elliott of the Snuneymuxw First Nation was at The High School (THS), teaching Grade 11 Social... Read more