VIU Insights: Tech inventions, salmon counts & language work
More than 500 VIU students are sharing their research and creative activity during CREATE 2025 next week. The annual conference recognizes and celebrates student scholarship, research, innovation and creative activity from all areas at VIU, from archaeology to nursing, horticulture to marine sciences. Highlights:
✅ Monday, April 7: pop-up bakery from 9 am to 4 pm; opening ceremony with keynote speaker David Gouthro at 1 pm. Discover practical strategies to overcome self-doubt, communicate with clarity, and connect authentically with others.
✅ Tuesday, April 8: Inclusive Theatre Collective (Hooray!) performance and 3Minute Thesis competition.
✅ Wednesday, April 9: Hunger Hack Finale: Students present their innovative food security solutions, with teams in the running to win $30,000 to continue their idea. Funded by Embark Foundation and Island Savings - a division of First West.
✅ Poster and oral presentations in the cafeteria Monday to Thursday.
CREATE 2025 is made possible through the generous support of our event sponsor Coastal Community Credit Union. Learn more about CREATE.
Featured experts
Solving a parasite mystery
VIU Biology student Ian Oliphant is investigating what is hitching a ride on Vancouver Island barred owls. The research provides new insights into parasite dynamics in naturalized species like barred owls and the potential impact of these parasites on local ecosystems and biodiversity and potentially other raptor populations on the Island. Read more.
The latest tech for tomorrow
Every year students in the Information Technology and Applied Systems program work in teams to develop a tech product from planning to prototype. Some of this year’s capstone projects include a magic mirror that can answer your questions while you style your hair, an intelligent cane that detects objects and alerts the user, and an AI companion. The 2025 Information Technology and Applied Systems Fair takes place April 14 at the Windsor Plywood Trades Discovery Centre from 10 am to 2 pm. Come meet students and learn more about their projects.
AI ethics and privacy
Computer Science Professor Dr. Ajay Shrestha is researching privacy risks in AI systems, ethical concerns surrounding youth data protection, and the role of transparency and trust in AI adoption. His research examines how young digital citizens perceive privacy in AI-driven platforms, and he’s finding there's a higher level of distrust than he originally anticipated. Shrestha has developed a handbook on youth data protection and recently hosted a seminar on safeguarding tomorrow’s data landscape.
US tariffs and the economy – what’s next?
The latest round of US tariffs largely spared Canada, but an atmosphere of uncertainty and the tariffs that are already in place will hurt Canadians. Dr. Charles Schell, a VIU Finance Professor, shares his thoughts on potential impacts to Vancouver Island's economy and the measures announced by Prime Minister Mark Carney.
Looking for an expert for another story? Connect with VIU Experts.
VIU news
Language preservation efforts recognized
VIU Elder-in-Residence and Métis Knowledge Holder Stella Erasmus Johnson joins an elite group of Canadians who have been awarded the King Charles III Coronation Medal in recognition of their significant contributions to Canada and its communities. Read more.
Hooked on salmon
VIU Fisheries and Aquaculture student Tristan Dieleman led a record-breaking fish salmon count on a local Nanaimo river. His experience is helping him define his career path. Read his story.
Former youth in care exhibit
Tarah Dowling's art installation, We Are the Change You Want to See, highlights the foster care experience and the impact of the Tuition Waiver program. The fourth-year VIU Visual Art student used cyanotype photography to capture the participants and a sound recording of their personal stories. Read Tarah’s story.
Happening at VIU
Save the date: World’s largest Nanaimo bar
On Saturday, May 17 as Baking and Culinary Arts students take on a sweet, record-breaking challenge – creating the world’s largest Nanaimo bar! This family-friendly event includes:
- a chance to see the record-breaking Nanaimo bar
- a piece of the world’s largest Nanaimo bar to enjoy
- food trucks, games and other fun activities for all ages
For full details, visit World's Largest Nanaimo Bar.
Celebrating local conservation
The Brant Wildlife Festival, hosted by the Mount Arrowsmith Biosphere Region (MABR), is marking 34 years of nature celebrations on mid-Vancouver Island. The 2025 festival is taking place from April 4 to 7, with more than 30 events. Learn about local conservation and stewardship initiatives, local species identification from the experts themselves, watch a rehabilitated eagle being released and more! There is something for all ages in this spring celebration. Mandy Fraser, MABR Governance Officer, is available for media interviews about the festival starting March 24. Learn more about the Brant Wildlife Festival.
The Bunny Trail at Milner Gardens
Bring your family to spot the bunnies throughout the gardens, making the most of Easter weekend fun together! When? Thursday, April 17 to Sunday, April 20 from 11 am to 4:30 pm. Learn more.
Engineering design competition
Engineering students are competing in their annual design competition on April 11 from 10 am to 2 pm in the upper cafeteria. This year the students are building interconnected rolling ball structures.
Theatre without barriers
The Inclusive Theatre Collective (Hooray!) is designed to break down barriers and give participants a place to belong on stage or behind the scenes. The collective, also known as ITCH, creates a space where people can play drama games, build friendships, learn about the audition and rehearsal process, and mount a theatre production. It is as much about building community and belonging as producing a theatrical show.
ITCH is open to everyone, from students looking to build confidence and public speaking skills, to ESL students who want to practice language skills, to students who face barriers in traditional theatre programs. ITCH is also open to VIU employees and community members. It is a free, drop-in program. Read more about the program.
Innergy exhibition
The View Gallery (Building 330) presents Innergy, the BA in Studio Art graduating student exhibition from April 17 to May 9. Opening reception is April 17 from 6 to 9 pm. The gallery is open Tuesday to Friday, from 10 am to 4 pm during exhibits.
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