Teaching and Learning

Facing the camera and standing from left to right are refugee students Hanan Ali Abdi, Nyagua Deng Goch, and Daniella (Sifa) Mukenge

VIU welcomes three new refugee students

September 14, 2022

The students are pursuing their degrees here after arriving from refugee camps in Uganda. Growing up in war-torn Somalia, Hanan Ali Abdi still remembers the moment her life changed forever and set her on a course to becoming a Vancouver Island University (VIU) student this year. The moment happened amidst the regular deluge of violence, bombings, kidnappings and raids when an explosion rocked... Read more


VIU Horticulture students in front of plants inside greenhouse

In Photos: VIU Horticulture program helps grow connections with Belize

August 22, 2022

Belizean partners come to Nanaimo to work on curriculum together Vancouver Island University (VIU) is helping Belizean institutions develop programs that teach students in agriculture and agroforestry programs how to mitigate and adapt to climate change. The university is leading an $825,000 institutional partnership under the Skills to Access the Green Economy (SAGE) program, which is... Read more


Students working in a classroom

New initiative helps people gain admission into VIU programs

July 27, 2022

Students seeking pre-requisites for post-secondary programs that train them for specific, high-demand careers will now have unique supports. A new program for adult learners who need a little extra help to get into programs with certain pre-requisites is launching at Vancouver Island University (VIU) this September. Called Pathways, the program helps students interested in entering professional... Read more


Marcia_Turner

VIU welcomes new Associate Vice-President, Indigenous Education and Engagement

July 26, 2022

Vancouver Island University (VIU) has appointed Marcia Turner as Associate Vice-President, Indigenous Education and Engagement. In this role, Turner will provide strategic leadership to guide the University in defining and implementing a vision for the interrelated commitments and practices of Indigenization, decolonization and reconciliation within the academy. Her work will be instrumental as... Read more


Regan McKeever uses an iPad to view the VIU ElderCollege website.

VIU ElderCollege offers both online and in-person courses for learners

July 26, 2022

Online learning opportunities for Vancouver Island University (VIU) ElderCollege students are here to stay. VIU ElderCollege offers learning opportunities for people who are 50 plus in the communities of Ladysmith to Bowser for courses held in person. During the early months of the pandemic the program pivoted to online classes, and moving forward, a range of both online and in-person classes... Read more


students outside

VIU part of BC plan to train, recruit more allied health professionals

July 19, 2022

British Columbians will soon benefit from as many as 322 more allied health professionals supporting their health-care needs as new training seats are added to public post-secondary institutions throughout BC, including at Vancouver Island University (VIU). The seats will include a new partnership between VIU and Selkirk College. “VIU is excited by this partnership and for us to be working... Read more


VIU Elder-in-REsidence Geraldine Manson and the cover of her new book

VIU Elder-in-Residence publishes new book

June 17, 2022

The book explores the history and meaning behind petroglyphs throughout the Nanaimo area. Vancouver Island University (VIU) Elder-in-Residence C-tasi:a - Geraldine Manson has authored a book that looks at the history, stories and meaning behind the petroglyphs that exist throughout the Nanaimo area. The book, Snuneymuxw History Written in Places and Spaces: Ancestor’s Voices—An Echo in Time, was... Read more


Queen Elizabeth Scholars

VIU Queen Elizabeth Scholars Prepare for Global Internships

April 27, 2022

The global student mobility program has returned, with students traveling to Australia and Belize. After a two-year pause due to the COVID-19 pandemic, students at Vancouver Island University (VIU) are once again able to participate in a global talent exchange program between Canada and other Commonwealth countries. The Queen Elizabeth Scholarship (QES) program aims to develop the next generation... Read more


Three people standing in front of Royal Roads University

New Program Prepares Next Generation of Climate Solution Global Leaders

April 21, 2022

A new partnership between three prominent island educational institutions marks Earth Day by investing in future climate action leaders to find solutions for the complex challenge of climate change.  Two recently signed Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs) between pre-university school Pearson College UWC, Vancouver Island University (VIU) and Royal Roads University (RRU) formalized the collective... Read more


Tim_Goater_lecture

Passionate about parasites, people, and places

April 6, 2022

 By Aly Winks, Internal Communications Specialist Note: Dr. Tim Goater is a Macebearer at VIU's Convocation Ceremony on Thursday, June 23, 2022. Dr. Tim Goater is one of those fortunate people who is doing what he was born to do. His commitment, enthusiasm, confidence, and pure love for teaching and research, specifically about parasites and other invertebrate animals, radiates from his person... Read more