From the President's Desk: January 2025 blog
January 15, 2025
Welcome back to a new year and a new semester at Vancouver Island University. I am excited to relaunch the President’s monthly blog as a platform to share updates, celebrate achievements and discuss important issues facing our community. As we step into the winter semester, I want to extend my gratitude to each of you for your resilience and dedication. Last year was undeniably a challenging... Read more
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
Writing from the heart – my reflections on how to action reconciliation
September 29, 2024
“How many languages do you speak?” Invariably when I ask this to a room full of VIU graduate students there are always a couple who can speak more than five. I follow this with, “Well, you are about to start learning another - Hul’q’umi’num'.” We begin with saying some gentle words and phrases, Huy ch q’a (Thank you), Uy’ skweyul (Good Day), ‘Uy’ kwunus ‘i lumnamu (It is good to see you). For a... Read more
New farming courses provide science-based and practical learning
August 19, 2024
VIU’s Cowichan campus piloting three micro-credential certificates for farmers Are you curious about the science behind sustainable farming and gardening practices? A new set of micro-credential certificates will offer basic education in sustainable agriculture and food production. The courses are designed for busy producers who can't join long-term programs. They are for new or long-term farmers... Read more
Transforming Early Childhood Education in Canada
June 19, 2024
For too long, early childhood education in Canada has favoured indoor learning environments over the outdoors and lacked recognition of Indigenous Land-based approaches. Danielle Alphonse, VIU’s BC Regional Innovation Chair in Aboriginal Early Childhood Development, and Sheila Grieve, VIU Early Childhood Education and Care Professor, were part of a national working group aimed at changing this.... Read more
VIU awards five honorary degrees at June convocation ceremonies
June 12, 2024
Degrees will go to prominent public servant, Elder, businessman, artist and author during VIU’s convocation ceremonies and Semélshun on June 12, 13 and 14. A public servant, Coast Salish Elder, businessman, artist and author are receiving honorary degrees at Vancouver Island University’s (VIU’s) convocation ceremonies this month. Convocation ceremonies take place June 12 and 13. Semélshun, VIU’s... Read more
Political scientists coming to VIU for provincial conference
April 29, 2024
What: BC Political Studies Association Conference When: Thursday, May 2 and Friday, May 3 Where: VIU Nanaimo campus Nanaimo, BC: An annual conference focusing on trust and leadership is coming to Vancouver Island University (VIU) this week. The BC Political Studies Association (BCPSA) Conference will take place at the Nanaimo campus on May 2 and 3. Hosted by VIU’s Political Studies department,... Read more
Exploring ecological networks in a digital world
April 23, 2024
Getting to know Samantha Letourneau By day, Samantha Letourneau is Vancouver Island University’s Canada Learning Bond project lead and Volunteer Tutor Coordinator. She’s also a musician and dancer and for the past two years, she’s been collaborating with Swedish artist Mårten Spångberg, thanks to funding obtained through Crimson Coast Dance, to create a digital art installation that goes live on... Read more
Vancouver Island University invites community to explore trades and tech careers at showcase
March 27, 2024
What: Trades & Tech Showcase When: Saturday, April 6, 10 am to 2 pm Where: Trades Discovery Centre (Building 108), Nanaimo campus (see Nanaimo campus map). Are you considering a career in trades? Come to the Trades & Tech Showcase on April 6 to learn more about the 20 different trades and technology programs on offer at Vancouver Island University (VIU). You can also try out an activity... Read more
VIU carpentry students learn by building tiny home
March 20, 2024
The home is being built at the Cowichan Trades Centre and will be delivered to a property in Saanich. Carpentry students are gaining real-world experience and providing a home in the process. The students are building a tiny home at Vancouver Island University’s (VIU’s) Cowichan’s Trades Centre. Program instructor Andrew MacLeod said the project came about somewhat unexpectedly after another... Read more