Foodie events, improving drug testing, our Mariners soccer teams are at nationals and raising money for students at risk of abandoning their studies. Here’s what happened over the last month at Vancouver Island University:
Local food blogger attends VIU culinary night
Nanaimo Noms, a local food blogger, attended Rising Tides, Rising Chefs, a new culinary event at VIU, in October. The event, a partnership with Culinary Team Canada, allowed students and team Canada members to practice their skills before the RAK Porcelain Culinary World Cup in France and raised money for student chefs. Check out the photos on the Nanaimo Noms Facebook page.
The science of mass spectrometry
VIU researchers are using mass spectrometry to detect toxins, improve drug testing and help address the opioid crisis. The technology identifies and measures chemicals in samples and gives insights into what they're studying. Read more from The National Post.
VIU Fest draws crowds
VIU faculty and students gave the community a taste of learning opportunities and a slice of campus life during the fourth-annual VIU Fest this past weekend. Read more from the Nanaimo News Bulletin.
VIU soccer teams secure gold at provincials
The VIU Mariners women’s and men’s soccer teams are provincial champions after a near-perfect weekend. Both teams cinched gold at provincials on November 1 and are in Alberta and Ontario this week competing in nationals. Read more in Nanaimo News Now.
Business students win provincial competition
VIU’s Master of Business Administration students recently won the MBA Games. Held at Simon Fraser University, the VIU MBA Games team beat out teams from across the province to take home the cup. The win gives VIU the honour of hosting the games next year. Read more in Education News Canada.
Raising money for students in need
VIU’s Giving Tuesday campaign is in full swing. The aim is to support students like Marissa (ayuxtin) Tom-Charlie, who is attending post-secondary this year thanks to the help of an entrance scholarship. Read more from Education News Canada.
Alum helps seniors navigate technology and online scams
Graham Low, a VIU alum, started Your Tech Neighbour, a Nanaimo business that offers technology support and scam awareness services specifically for seniors. Low aims to help seniors feel more confident using technology and to feel safe online. Learn more in the Nanaimo Bulletin’s Business Notes.
Nursing professor studies support for people requesting MAiD
Education News Canada highlighted VIU Nursing Professor Dr. Caroline Variath’s work researching support gaps for people requesting MAiD, their families and caregivers. Variath and her team are conducting studies centered on people with lived experiences and community engagement. Read the article.
Celebrating VIU’s outgoing Chancellor
Cloy-e-iis, Dr. Judith Sayers, President of the Nuu-Chah-Nulth Tribal Council, wrapped up her second term as VIU Chancellor last month. To say thank you, a celebration event was held in Shq'apthut. Read more about it in Ha-Shilth-Sa.
Student turns Halloween passion into community attraction
VIU student Graham Reimer set up his popular Halloween Yard Haunt in Lantzville. The impressive display cost nearly $13,000 and highlights Reimer’s creativity, hands-on skills and dedication to creating an immersive Halloween experience for the community while pursuing his studies at VIU. Watch the video at Nanaimo News Now.
Basketball season launches
New season, new leadership for VIU Mariners basketball. Meet the head coaches leading both teams and get a look at what’s ahead in this season preview from Nanaimo News Now.
VIU helps residents train for careers in deconstruction and reuse
VIU is helping residents in the qathet region build skills for new career opportunities through free training in salvaging building materials for reuse. The tiwšɛmawtxʷ campus and Synergy Foundation offered the training from October 26 to 30. The course provided hands-on experience and four industry certifications, with no previous construction experience required. Read more in Education News Canada.
Expert in democracy and public trust joins VIU
Dr. Daniel Westlake has joined VIU as a Senior Research Fellow with the Network of Jarislowsky Chairs in Trust and Political Leadership. Working with VIU’s Dr. Michael MacKenzie and Education Professor Dr. Paula Waatainen, Westlake will research political leadership, diversity in democratic representation and public trust in Canadian democracy. Read the Education News Canada article.
VIU researcher weighs in on provincial immigration control
Dr. Daniel Westlake, a Senior Research Fellow with the Network of Jarislowsky Chairs in Trust and Political Leadership, comments about the shifting public attitudes in Canada toward immigration and the push for greater provincial control. The CTV article discusses the subject with Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe. Read more at CTV.
Workplace conflict can create more resilient teams
Dr. Evan Hoffman, a VIU Management Professor and conflict resolution specialist, shares his expertise on turning conflict and competing perspectives into opportunities to build relationships and more resilient teams. Read his advice at Charity Village.
MABRRI and VIU Adjunct Professor Tim Pringle earn national recognition
The Canadian water community gathered in Toronto at Henderson Brewing Co. for the annual Water Canada Awards to pause, raise a glass, and celebrate the people and projects quietly transforming our industry. VIU’s Mount Arrowsmith Biosphere Region Research Institute and VIU Adjunct Professor Tim Pringle received the Innovation Partnership award for the Ecological Accounting Process. Read more at Water Canada.
Mariners set sights on provincial and national titles
VIU Mariners’ volleyball teams are seeking a return to provincials and national titles. Nanaimo News Bulletin reporter Karl Yu discussed the upcoming season with the teams. Read more in the Nanaimo News Bulletin.
VIU research tracks toxic runoff threatening salmon
A toxic chemical, 6PPD-quinone, released from vehicle tires, has been linked to mass die-offs of coho salmon. Researchers from VIU’s Centre for Health & Environmental Mass Spectrometry (CHEMS) focused on widespread 6PPD-Q testing in local streams and creeks to better understand the environmental impacts and identify hotspots. The Times Colonist examines the ongoing efforts to trace the chemical’s sources and address the threat it poses to ecosystems. Read the Times Colonist article.
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