Student-run 'Barter Brothers' Wins Grand Prize in VIU Business Plan Competition
December 9, 2015
If you’ve got a garage, attic or basement full of stuff to sell, and no time to sell it, Jeff Gilmore can help you out. The 18-year-old Vancouver Island University (VIU) student took the grand prize and first place in the student category in the VIU Business Plan Competition for “Barter Brothers”, a service he started back at home in Chilliwack while he was still in high school. “The old saying... Read more
VIU Joins Grassroots Effort to Reduce Stigma and Discrimination of Persons with Disabilities
December 2, 2015
Vancouver Island University (VIU) is joining a worldwide movement toward replacing the current disability icon with an updated ability icon. “It’s a special grassroots effort to help communities reduce the stigma and discrimination of persons with disabilities,” says Richard Harlow, Board Director of the Nanaimo Disability Resource Centre (NDRC). All parking lots on VIU's Nanaimo campus have... Read more
VIU Business Plan Competition Finalists Compete in Dec. 4 'Pitchfest'
December 1, 2015
Six student and alumni finalists will pitch their ideas to a panel of judges on Friday, Dec. 4 as they vie for the top prize in the Vancouver Island University (VIU) Business Plan Competition. The “Dragon’s Den-style Pitchfest’ will see finalists make presentations on business ideas that range from tech start-ups to online services to gardening and beauty products. The pitchfest, from 4 to 7:30... Read more
VIU, Shqwi qwal and Reconciliation Canada Form Historic Partnership
November 27, 2015
Vancouver Island University (VIU) Centre for Pre-Confederation Treaties, Shqwi qwal for Indigenous Dialogue at VIU, and Reconciliation and Reconciliation Canada have announced apartnership to support delivery of economic reconciliation dialogues among business leaders and First Nations leadership. A Memorandum of Understanding was signed by Douglas White, Director of the Centre for Pre-... Read more
Refugee Students Travel from Jordan and Kenya to Study at VIU
November 27, 2015
Nadifo Abdi remembers the long, dark nights she spent studying for national high school exams at home in Kenya’s massive Dadaab refugee camp, where she was born. While her six siblings slumbered, her mother was there at her side with a cup of tea, something to eat, and words of loving encouragement. “She would come stay the night with me as I studied, staying awake so that I would not feel like... Read more
VIU Observes International Day of Persons with Disabilities Dec. 3
November 26, 2015
Amber Thomas lost her eyesight at age 10 due to a brain tumor. But that hasn’t stopped the ambitious first year Computing Science student at Vancouver Island University (VIU) from pursuing her dreams. Thomas is loving life and classes at VIU thanks in part to her supportive faculty and a friendly guide dog she calls Bear who helps her get around campus safely. Thomas is speaking out publicly... Read more
GivingTuesday at VIU Raising Funds for Students
November 24, 2015
‘GivingTuesday’ at Vancouver Island University (VIU) on Tuesday, Dec. 1 is a chance to make a difference in the lives of students. GivingTuesday is a global movement for charitable giving and volunteering that falls the day after the frenzy of shopping that marks Black Friday and Cyber Monday. Donations to VIU on GivingTuesday – that’s Dec. 1 – will make a difference in the lives of students... Read more
RBC Supports VIU's 'Su'Luqw'a' Community Cousins with $40K Donation
November 23, 2015
VIU’s Aboriginal students find support and friendship from their peers who volunteer in Vancouver Island University’s (VIU) ‘Su’luqw’a’ Community Cousins program, which got its start in 2011. With a donation of $40,000 from RBC on Nov. 25, the Aboriginal student mentorship program will continue to offer its student volunteers ongoing training, community outreach, public speaking and professional... Read more
Chief Shawn Atleo Presents on 'Re-imagining Canada' in VIU's First Indigenous Speakers Series Event
November 19, 2015
Chief Shawn A-in-chut Atleo will speak on “Daring Greatly Together: Reimagining Canada” in Vancouver Island University’s (VIU) inaugural presentation of the Indigenous Speakers Series Thursday, Nov. 26 from 7 pm to 9 pm at VIU’s Malaspina Theatre. The Indigenous Speakers Series is delivered in partnership with The Laurier Institution and CBC Radio One Ideas, and is focused on topics related to... Read more
VIU Biology Grad Wins $30,000 in Scholarships and Fellowships
November 13, 2015
When Nanaimo high school graduate Katie Davidson began her studies at Vancouver Island University (VIU) five years ago, she never imagined that one day she’d win more than $30,000 in academic scholarships and fellowships. Nor did she imagine that she’d end up conducting research at one of the most prestigious research facilities in North America. Davidson conducts field research at the Hakai... Read more