Community Engagement

News Stories

Jackie Oncescu headshot

Vancouver Island University hosts provincial recreation conference

November 5, 2024

The summit brings industry experts from across Canada to Nanaimo The future of recreation in rural communities and small cities is the topic of a provincial conference happening at Vancouver Island University (VIU) November 13 and 14. Hosted by VIU’s World Leisure Centre of Excellence, the Rural Recreation Summit features sessions by experts in risk management, leisure education, social... Read more


Three young girls wearing face paint hug, with a crowd on the stairs behind them

VIU hosts free community event

September 10, 2024

What: VIU Fest When: Saturday, October 5, 2024 | 12 to 4 pm Where: VIU’s Nanaimo campus (parking is free throughout the day). See Nanaimo campus map. Spend an afternoon at Vancouver Island University’s (VIU’s) Nanaimo campus for VIU Fest, a free, annual community event showcasing the best the university has to offer. The Fun Zone is a popular place for younger VIU Fest attendees Whether you... Read more


Sandy sits at his desk with images of brains open on one screen

Researcher looking for participants for brain injury study

July 22, 2024

Dr. Sandy Shultz aims to improve health outcomes for domestic violence survivors Are you a domestic violence survivor? VIU researcher and neuroscientist Dr. Sandy Shultz is part of a project that aims to improve the diagnosis of brain injury in survivors of intimate partner violence. He’s looking for people to be part of this research. Results will be used to improve health outcomes for domestic... Read more


A group of students sits in a longhouse

Indigenous Guardians protecting coastal lands and waters

April 15, 2024

The partnership between Nanwakolas Council and Vancouver Island University has resulted in 16 more Indigenous Guardians graduating with formal stewardship technician qualifications. *story reprinted with permission from the Nanwakolas Council website On April 12, after a gruelling six months of intensive classroom and field studies, 16 students of the Nanwakolas Council and Vancouver Island... Read more


Picture of the moon passing in front of the sun

VIU News & Experts: April 4, 2024

April 4, 2024

Experts on solar eclipse, oral health and leadership 🗣️ In this issue of VIU news & experts:  How to take in the solar eclipse The importance of VIU's Dental Clinic to oral health in the community Decolonizing sexual education Happening Saturday: Trades & Tech Showcase and Vancouver Island Leadership Conference Featured experts Solar eclipse Interested in viewing the solar eclipse? Dr.... Read more


Three women smile, one holding a bunch of balloons, another holding a heart balloon near her face

VIU News & Experts: December 1, 2023

December 1, 2023

What can COP28 realistically achieve? 🌍 We had a soul-filling week at VIU. The VIU Foundation's Giving Tuesday campaign raised more than $350,000 for students in need and engaged with a record number of new donors. We celebrated by giving students cookies, smiles and heart balloons. Every dollar raised goes to student scholarships, awards, bursaries and special education initiatives. Learn more.... Read more


Two students hold up signs saying thank you donor and we love our donors and stand in front of red heart balloons

VIU Foundation’s Giving Tuesday campaign raises more than $350,000 for students in need

November 30, 2023

The campaign engaged with a record number of new donors. ­­Vancouver Island University (VIU) students will have more access to scholarships, awards and bursaries following the university’s annual Giving Tuesday campaign. The campaign, which wrapped up on Tuesday, November 28, saw the community band together to support students, raising more than $350,000 for scholarships, bursaries, awards and... Read more


Riley Yesno portrait

Indigenous speaker elevates the voices of the “Reconciliation Generation”

November 15, 2023

Riley Yesno will deliver the keynote address at VIU’s Indigenous Speakers Series event on November 22. Riley Yesno is part of a generation of Indigenous youth who have grown up with the term reconciliation occupying an ever-increasing share of Canada’s national dialogue. The queer Anishinaabe scholar, writer and commentator from Eabametoong First Nation has spent a great deal of time thinking... Read more


Stephen Davies sits at his computer with a digitized letter on the screen

Putting a human face to the Canadian war experience

November 7, 2023

Expert commentary with Dr. Stephen Davies, Director of the Canadian Letters and Images Project Vancouver Island University History Professor Dr. Stephen Davies is founder of the Canadian Letters and Images Project, an online, digital archive of Canadian wartime letters and related materials. He started the project in 2000 to help his students understand the First and Second World Wars. Over the... Read more


Group photo of WW1 soldiers with text that reads Nanaimo Remembers

VIU and community partners remember local fallen soldiers through video memorial

November 1, 2023

VIU video project acknowledges Nanaimo soldiers’ contributions to the First and Second World Wars. A Vancouver Island University (VIU) video memorial project that tells the story of Nanaimo soldiers who made the ultimate sacrifice during the First and Second World Wars will be displayed across the city. For the 11 days leading up to Remembrance Day, the Nanaimo Remembers project will display the... Read more