May 9, 2013 - 7:47am
High school students, parents and all curious learners in the community are invited to discover and explore the education and trades opportunities offered at Vancouver Island University’s Cowichan campus.
VIU Cowichan is hosting an Open House/Discover Trades Day on Thursday, May 23 from noon to 6 pm.
“This is an opportunity for community members of all ages to visit VIU’s beautiful Cowichan campus and discover what opportunities exist in your own backyard,” says VIU President Dr. Ralph Nilson.
“Faculty and support staff will be available to help you to map out your educational path, whether you are seeking trades, vocational, adult education, university transfer, professional or personal opportunities.”
The Open House/Discover Trades Day will include hands-on activities for trades programs, interactive displays for vocational programs, and short presentations about dual credit programs, trades in BC and how to get started at VIU.
Visitors will have chance to meet VIU students and faculty, win some prizes, enjoy food and music, take a campus tour, and much more.
VIU Cowichan currently offers university credit courses and certificate programs in business, health and human services; trades and applied technology; career and academic preparation and employability skills programs.
Staff, faculty and students will be on site during the event sharing information about specific programs including Administrative Assistant, Carpentry, Culinary Arts, Hairdressing, Health Care Assistant, Heating, Ventilating/Air-Conditioning, Information Technology /Applied Systems, Practical Nursing, Home Care Attendant, Child and Youth Care First Nations, Early Childhood Education, Adult Basic Education upgrading, community education and a growing number of university degree courses.
Instructional Director Keith Chicquen says it’s the first open house since the Cowichan campus opened in September 2011.
“Students, staff and faculty love teaching and learning here,” he says. “This campus was built to serve students and meet the needs of our regional communities. It has strengthened relationships with our Cowichan Place Partners and First Nations groups including Cowichan Tribes, the City of Duncan and the District of North Cowichan. They all played a significant role in the development of the campus along with other funding partners, the provincial and federal governments.”
The $32.5 million campus is the largest funded capital project undertaken by VIU and one of the ‘greenest buildings’ on Vancouver Island. It is part of Cowichan Place, a multi-functional complex that is a focal point for education, recreation and culture in the Cowichan Valley.
The Cowichan campus, which has won several awards for design and environmental sustainability, features state-of-the-art health and science labs, 110-seat lecture theatre and rooftop garden known as a ‘green roof’ with walking paths, study areas and natural vegetation.
Open House/Discover Trades Day takes place on Thursday, May 23, 12 noon to 6 pm at 2011 University Way, Duncan, BC.
For more information, call 250-746-3500 or visit www.cc.viu.ca
MEDIA CONTACT
Janina Stajic, Manager, Vancouver Island University
P: 250.740.6288 E: Communications@viu.ca Twitter: @VIUNews
Tags: In the Community
