Community Engagement

Wildfires, drought and climate anxiety experts 🌍

From August 29 to September 1, VIU is hosting its annual RockVIU new student orientation, a series of events designed to get students connected with services, each other and faculty. VIU is expecting more than 800 students to join in the fun.

Jenn Houtby-Ferguson shares some tips

Recreation and Tourism Management Professor Jenn Houtby-Ferguson is currently doing her doctoral work on emergency readiness and risk communications for the tourism and hospitality industries. She’s a delegate with the Canadian Red Cross and has supported responses to emergency scenarios ranging from wildfires to floods to COVID-19 across Canada. She has also gone to Mozambique to help with hurricane response. We asked her about the current wildfire situation in BC and what the average citizen should be doing right now to prepare.

The tuition-free program helps newcomers transition into trades education.­­

Newcomers to Canada who want to pursue a career in the trades will get some extra help starting this September, thanks to a new program at Vancouver Island University (VIU).

Called Trades Pathways for Newcomers, the cohort-based bridging program supports newcomers looking for a career in the trades by ensuring they have the skills, knowledge and supports to successfully transition into the educational programs that will get them there.

New "fast ferry" for Nanaimo, Oceans Day and more

In this edition of VIU News & Experts: 

Challenge aims to inspire a network of community support for students – and participants can win a day at the spa.

Paying for university can be challenging. With record inflation driving up the cost of food, housing and transportation, the Vancouver Island University (VIU) Foundation recognizes that students are finding it harder than ever to make ends meet.

From wildfires, to spring snowpacks and a new end-of-life doula course, we have several VIU professors ready to share their knowledge and expertise on timely issues in this week's editon of VIU News & Experts.

Vancouver Island University (VIU) Mariners Women's Soccer athlete Shea Battie is a recipient of the CCAA Torchbearer Scholarship for 2023 for her work in helping to build peace through play.

The Communications and External Relations department is pleased to introduce the 

Dr. Michael MacKenzie, VIU’s inaugural Jarislowsky Chair in Trust and Political Leadership, joins unique network across Canada.

A new position at Vancouver Island University (VIU) will focus on educating future politicians and civil servants.

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