In the Community

History on Stage: Transforming history into relevant, entertaining musical theatre

February 28, 2011

Theatre artist and Vancouver Island University Professor Ross Desprez will discuss his 30-year exploration of transforming history into relevant musical theatre in a presentation at Vancouver Island University on Friday, March 4. Desprez will give his talk in the Malaspina Theatre (Bldg. 310) from 10 to 11:30 am as part of the Arts and Humanities Colloquium series. The colloquium event is free... Read more


VIU video teams compete in TD Friends of the Environment Go Green Challenge

February 28, 2011

The polls are open as two teams from Vancouver Island University compete for national video honours in the fourth annual TD Friends of the Environment Go Green Challenge. Students from across Canada have entered videos up to four minutes long describing how they would take on their schools’ greatest sustainability challenges. The stakes are high with a $20,000 team prize for the top entry along... Read more


Analyst outlines economic impact of international students in BC

February 23, 2011

Noted economist Dr. Roslyn Kunin will provide an updated analysis of the economic impact of international students in BC in a presentation at Vancouver Island University Thursday, March 3. The event, 6:30 to 8 pm in the Student Services Building (200), Room 203, is part of the BC Council for International Education (BCCIE) Speaker Series. It is free and open to the public. To register for this... Read more


VIU hosts Model United Nations conference for high school students

February 22, 2011

Eighty Vancouver Island high school students will gather at Vancouver Island University in Nanaimo to practise international diplomacy skills this week. The students will attend VIU’s second Model United Nations conference Feb. 24 to 27. The conference is organized by the Vancouver Island University Model United Nations Club and co-hosted by VIU’s Global Studies and the Political Science... Read more


Graphic design students win tuition scholarships

February 17, 2011

Aspiring graphic designers enrolled in Vancouver Island University's Graphic Design degree program received three scholarship awards from the Society of Graphic Designers of Canada (GDC), Vancouver Island Chapter. Students Greg Dubeau and Tashia Potter each received $1,000 tuition scholarships, while Trina M'Lot received $500. The GDC Scholarship Awards are Vancouver Island's pre-eminent... Read more


City of Nanaimo Advisory: Bowen Road Project Set to Begin

February 17, 2011

The Bowen Road widening and Quarterway Bridge project will get underway in March 2011. This will be one of the largest infrastructure improvement projects that the City has undertaken. It is scheduled to be complete late fall 2012. The impacted stretch of Bowen Road carries between thirteen (13,000) to sixteen (16,000) thousand vehicles a day and is a critical route for many people as they make... Read more


Ugly Sweater Week promotes energy conservation at VIU

February 14, 2011

Students, faculty, staff and administrators are making a fashion statement at VIU this week. Ugly Sweater Week is not just an opportunity to wear ugly, tacky, crazy, wacky, retro, techno or comfy sweaters to campus, says Michele Patterson, Manager, Environment and Sustainability for Facilities Services/Campus Development at VIU. “It’s a fun and highly visible way to highlight VIU’s commitment... Read more


Medal sweep for VIU Culinary students

February 12, 2011

Four students from Vancouver Island University showcased their award-winning culinary arts skills at the 15th annual BC Chefs Hot Competition LIVE! in Vancouver recently. Students James Hannah, Alex Formosa, Carlos Cordeiro De Mello Neto and Adriana Purdie brought home a Grand Gold medal, two silver medals and a bronze medal respectively. As the overall winner, Hannah received $500. “It was a... Read more


VIU soccer program scores at Nanaimo Sport Achievement Awards

February 8, 2011

The VIU Mariners men’s soccer team was selected Team of the Year and Sports Story of the Year at the Nanaimo Sport Achievement Awards on Feb. 5. Coach Bill Merriman, who guided the team to national glory with the Canadian Colleges’ Athletic Association championship last fall, won High-Performance Coach of the Year. “It was a big year for soccer and it’s great to see Bill and the team get the... Read more


VIU mourns the loss of beloved Elder Mavis Wyse

February 8, 2011

Vancouver Island University is among the many organizations and communities mourning the loss of Snuneymuxw First Nation Elder Mavis Wyse. Wyse was a popular Elder-in-Residence at VIU’s Cowichan Campus. She passed away unexpectedly Friday Feb 4. “The faculty, staff, students and administration at VIU are heartbroken by the loss of our dear friend and Elder Mavis Wyse,” said VIU President... Read more