News Stories
VIU Giving Tuesday campaign helps students reach for their dreams
November 14, 2023
University’s tenth annual campaign runs from November 14 to 28, 2023. When Vancouver Island University (VIU) student Sarah McClelland faced some unexpected living expenses last fall, she thought she would have to put her education on hold. The Bachelor of Education student went to the Financial Aid and Awards team to explore options. That’s when she learned about the VIU Access Fund, which... Read more
Alum of the Month: Bianca van der Stoel
July 8, 2022
After graduating from VIU’s Horticulture Technician program in 2019, Bianca van der Stoel has been busy growing her own Horticultural Therapy business, witnessing powerful moments of rehabilitation and joy as she helps people reconnect with nature. We caught up with Bianca to learn more about how her program helped her do what she’s doing now, and what’s next for her. Why did you choose VIU? I... Read more
Program Helps Students Transform Business Ideas into Reality
March 17, 2022
VIU business training program helps those with disabilities on the road to self-employment. Vancouver Island University’s (VIU’s) Cooperative Entrepreneur Training Program (CETP) offers students with disabilities or those who have faced employment barriers the opportunity to learn all the essential skills of being an entrepreneur. Students like Geneva Biggers, who has decided to start a custom... Read more
Alum of the Month: Sandipan Debnath
October 25, 2021
Completing school and job hunting during a global pandemic didn’t slow Sandipan Debnath (Master of Business Administration ’21) down one bit. He’s now a Business Development Representative at Wrapbook, a US-based tech startup that is digitizing the entertainment payroll industry. Originally from Bangladesh, Debnath is now based out of Toronto at his current position. He shares more about his... Read more
Alum of the Month: Sara Guzman
September 15, 2021
Sara Guzman has always been fascinated by tiny things you can’t see with the naked eye, from microbes to chemical reactions in cells. It’s the reason Guzman knew she wanted a science career. Her parents encouraged her to pursue higher education. Guzman, originally from Bogota, Colombia, decided to attend university abroad and selected Vancouver Island University (VIU). She graduated from VIU in... Read more
VIU Grad Discovers Two-Million-Year-Old Skull while Attending Field School in South Africa
June 14, 2021
VIU Anthropology graduate Samantha Good unearthed skull at the Drimolen Palaeocave System in 2018. Samantha Good is graduating from Vancouver Island University (VIU) with an accomplishment few anthropologists achieve in their lifetime – unearthing a two-million-year-old skull belonging to an early human ancestor. Good, who graduates with a Bachelor of Arts, Major in Anthropology this June,... Read more
VIU Students Aim to Ignite Change with Leadership Conference
June 7, 2021
Conference challenges participants to get involved in community action projects – with tuition credits as incentive. Vancouver Island University (VIU) students are encouraging other students to take action and make a difference locally and beyond at an annual leadership conference. The Vancouver Island Leadership Conference (VILC) takes place June 7 – 24 and includes events on Mondays and... Read more
VIU Alum Starts Award for Single Mothers
February 9, 2021
Receiving financial help changed Kyla Hanington’s life and the lives of her children when she was at university; now she wants to give back to families in similar situations. There were many times when Kyla Hanington was close to giving up on her university education. Every time this happened, the single mother of two received a timely scholarship, bursary or award that served as encouragement,... Read more
VIU Graduate Student Joins National Advisory Committee
January 28, 2021
Master of Community Planning student Felicia Fischer will advise on initiatives that aim to advance sustainability and access at institutions across the country. A Vancouver Island University (VIU) student will have the chance to weigh in on collaborative sustainable development initiatives taking place at institutions across Canada and make sure students are involved in them. Felicia Fischer... Read more
Alum of the Month: Megan Yim
January 14, 2021
Dr. Megan Yim (Bachelor of Arts ’15, Major in Psychology) is passionate about helping people reach their full health potential. Yim, who went on to complete a master’s degree in experimental neuropsychology at the University of Victoria and then a Doctor of Chiropractic from the Canadian Memorial Chiropractic College in Toronto, is now working as a chiropractor at Backfit Clinic in Victoria,... Read more