Malaspina hosts “Open Door Week” Jan. 29 to Feb. 2

Earthquakes and tsunamis, the solar system and First Nations land use - these are just a few of diverse topics you can learn about during Malaspina University-College's Open Door Week at the Nanaimo campus, Jan. 29 to Feb. 2.

“We're inviting high school students and the general public to check out the wide range of  exciting courses and programs offered at  the Nanaimo campus,” said Geology Professor Steven Earle of Malaspina's Teaching and Learning Centre. “We offer over 200 degree, diploma, certificate and masters degree programs,”  Earle added. “Open Door Week is a perfect opportunity for students and the public to sit in on some of our classes, and discover some of the great teaching and learning that happens here at Malaspina.” 

Teaching faculty from several areas will open their classroom doors to allow other faculty, staff, students and the public to see how and what they teach. The objective of this event is to start a dialogue about teaching and learning, and give everyone a chance to explore what goes on at Malaspina, Earle said.

Malaspina's first Open Door Week held last September was so successful that “we decided to hold another one to kick off the new semester,” Earle added.

This year, Open Door Week coincides with exam week in Nanaimo area high schools. Typically high school students have some free time between exams, said Earle, “so we’re extending a special invitation to them to visit our campus during this time. We hope they’ll take advantage of the opportunity to check out some of our courses and programs, especially  students who are trying to decide what direction to take in their future post-secondary studies.”

Open Door Week provides Malaspina faculty with a chance to see how their colleagues teach, and for staff to find out what goes on in classrooms, Earle added. 

“Many of Malaspina’s non-teaching staff never get an opportunity to step foot into a classroom,”  he said.  “Open Door Week allows them to see first-hand what goes on  in classrooms and gives them a better understanding and appreciation of Malaspina's committment to teaching and learning.”

All regular classes will remain in session during Open Door Week. Classrooms will be open to the public at the discretion of individual faculty members.

For a complete schedule of classes participating in Open Door Week, refer to the website at www.viu.ca and click on the Open Door link.

The schedule will be updated regularly between now and Jan. 29.