Dr. Graham Pike named VIU’s new Dean of International Education

Vancouver Island University (VIU) has appointed a new Dean of International Education. Dr. Graham Pike joins VIU from the University of Prince Edward Island (UPEI) where he has spent the last six years as the Dean of Education.

"It’s a terrific opportunity," said Pike. "Between the International High School, various overseas learning partnerships, our international MBA program and the English Communication program, there’s a lot happening at VIU, with potential for growth in many areas."

"It’s a big move and an exciting time to come on board. I look forward to being part of the shift as the institution changes and grows as a university."

Pike said he was attracted to the position because it combines two of his fields of interest and expertise: international education and leadership. "It nicely brings the two together. International Education has been my passion for 30 years."

"I stand behind VIU’s vision of leadership in international education, preparing students to contribute actively to a changing world," he said, adding that this fits with his interest in citizenship education. "To promote responsible citizenship, we need to consider the fact that we live in a global era and our duties as citizens do not end at national boundaries."

"We are looking forward to having Dr. Pike on the VIU Team," said VIU President Dr. Ralph Nilson. "VIU has a dynamic International Education department that delivers high quality programs and services. We have established very positive global partnerships and relations over the past several years and Graham’s experience and leadership will allow us to continue to increase our international expertise."

In 2006, Pike received the Canadian Bureau of International Education’s Award for Innovation, awarded in recognition of "extraordinary contributions, of national or international magnitude, to the field of international education."

Prior to his time at UPEI, Pike spent six years at the University of Toronto as a Co-Director of the International Institute for Global Education and eight years as the Deputy Director of the Centre for Global Education at the University of York in England. He has also worked for non-governmental organizations, developing curriculum on human rights and environmental education and consulting in more than 20 countries including projects for UNICEF in the Middle East and Eastern Europe.

Pike will start at VIU in January 2009, replacing Brock Dykeman, Director of the MBA program, who has been the interim Dean since last September.

"I’m really looking forward to the challenge," Pike said.