VIU Introduces Bachelor of Kinesiology Program
November 13, 2020
VIU professor reflects on the progression of a Bachelor of Kinesiology degree as well as his own evolution as a teacher in the program over the past four decades. Les Malbon, Professor of Kinesiology at Vancouver Island University (VIU) has fond memories of when he was a student in the Physical Education program in 1974 – when Malaspina College was operating out of the old Nanaimo hospital... Read more
Business Donations Benefit VIU Horticulture Program
November 5, 2020
Industry support provides VIU students with opportunities to investigate environmentally sustainable lawn alternatives and become certified Allan Block installers. With help from a variety of businesses, students in the Vancouver Island University (VIU) Horticulture Technician Foundation Program are in the process of converting an established lawn and garden area at the G.R. Paine Horticulture... Read more
Tips and Tricks for Synchronous and Asynchronous Course Delivery
October 28, 2020
We know there are a variety of ways to approach online teaching and learning, and just as each instructor develops their own style, techniques and best practices to deliver face-to-face instruction, the same process occurs online. Even within departments, professors are choosing different methods, honing their skills and making the online medium their own. Here are two approaches being taken in... Read more
Taking some stress out of Online Course Development
October 28, 2020
Kathleen Bortolin and Anwen Burk, both Curriculum, Teaching and Learning Specialists in the Centre for Innovation and Excellence in Learning, produce a podcast called the Share Drive, which is all about sharing inspiring, helpful, interesting strategies, stories and tips from VIU’s own faculty members for creating a fantastic online classroom. Their latest episode is an energizing interview with... Read more
VIU Student Recognized for Supporting Community
October 20, 2020
Vantaishia Tommy, who recently won a citizenship award for community service and commitment to her studies, is focused on helping animals when she graduates. DUNCAN, BC: Vantaishia (Taish) Tommy knows exactly where she wants to be when she has finished her educational journey – protecting the rights and habitats of animals of all kinds and sizes around the world. The Adult Basic Education... Read more
Fires are "Just the Tip of the Iceberg" of Climate Change's Impact on Forests
October 5, 2020
EXPERT COMMENTARY: As wildfires continue to rage across parts of Western Canada and the United States, we were curious about some of the other impacts climate change is having on forests and what forest management tools are being taught in classrooms today to address these issues. Bill Beese, a VIU Forestry Professor and Forest Ecologist, shares some insights. The catastrophic wildfires... Read more
VIU Launches Two New Information Technology Diploma Programs
September 29, 2020
VIU answers industry appeal for specialized Information Technology and Applied Systems program offerings in the mid-Island area. Two new information technology diploma programs are being offered at Vancouver Island University (VIU) to meet growing demand for skilled web and mobile developers and systems and networking administrators. The Systems Administration and Networking diploma and the Web... Read more
VIU's Colloquium Series Lectures Live Streaming this Fall
September 17, 2020
Annual lecture series delves into a variety of topics including respectful relations between humans and plants, understanding women’s pain and examining London’s last Frost Fair. The show will go on for Vancouver Island University’s (VIU’s) popular Arts and Humanities Colloquium Series this fall. “The Colloquium committee is excited to be able to continue the Series in this academic year,” says... Read more
An Unusual Start to an Unusual Semester
September 15, 2020
I want to welcome you all back to an unusual fall semester after an unusual summer break. I know the messages about uncharted territory have become cliché as we head into a semester of yet more “firsts.” Getting to the execution point of all these “firsts” has been a transformational journey for most of us at VIU. No position has been left untouched, and summer time when we usually have a chance... Read more
Program Helps VIU Students Develop Commercial Enterprises
August 25, 2020
VIU business training program helps remove barriers to self-employment for persons with disabilities. Vancouver Island University’s (VIU’s) Cooperative Entrepreneur Training Program (CETP) provides students with disabilities the skills they need to develop robust business plans and secure funding to launch their business initiatives. Entrepreneurship is one option for persons with disabilities to... Read more