Government of Canada Supports Innovation in British Columbia’s Aquaculture Industry

April 8, 2015 – Nanaimo, British Columbia – Western Economic Diversification Canada Today, the Honourable Michelle Rempel, Minister of State for Western Economic Diversification, announced funding of $667,000 to Vancouver Island University (VIU) to support a project that will enable them to purchase equipment and undertake a comparative analysis of new technologies in shellfish farming. With this funding, VIU is proposing to advance shellfish hatchery design by integrating the latest technological developments into an operating hatchery at its Deep Bay … Continued

New Master of GIS Applications Program Approved for VIU

Students can now map their futures in a growing in-demand field through Vancouver Island University’s (VIU) newest master’s program. VIU has received approval from BC’s Ministry of Advanced Education and the provincial Degree Quality Assessment Board to offer a two-year Master of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Applications program starting in September 2015.  Read more…..  

VIU’s Statement in Response to NDP Executive Compensation Claims

Yesterday, the BC Official Opposition released a report on executive compensation at certain post-secondary institutions including Vancouver Island University. Unfortunately, some of the information contained in this report is inaccurate and misleading. We feel it is necessary to set the record straight, and to highlight VIU’s outstanding record in accountability and transparency with respect to reporting on executive compensation. VIU takes great effort to ensure that we perform our government-mandated responsibilities with the utmost care and attention. Each year, we … Continued

PACE Report: Young Adults needed for a Healthy Rural Canada

Young adults are the essential ingredient for successful rural revitalization. Attracting young adults to rural areas for employment and to establish families is a goal of many of Canada’s rural communities. Yet, these communities often struggle due to limited knowledge on what motivates young adults’ relocation decisions. The purpose of this study is to assess the attractiveness of living in rural areas from the perspectives of young adults. Download the pdf report VIU Young Adults in Rural Areas

PACE Report: Vancouver Island University student's research informs the World Tourism Organization on visa policy development.

Visa policies are among the most important governmental formalities influencing international tourism. In association with national and international governing bodies, the World Tourism Organization conducts research on visa policies, international tourism markets and visa processing technology to assist countries and regions maximize tourism growth. Download the pdf report VIU Visa Policy

PACE Report: Tourism market research by VIU Coop Student

Student gathers visitor data Tourism destinations need to understand their visitors in order to respond appropriately with marketing investments. As there is no system in BC to gather ongoing data, this can be difficult. Destination development experts in Tofino and Nanaimo decided to work together and hire a VIU student with research expertise to design and gather data on their visitors in the summer of 2013.  Nichola, an experienced undergraduate researcher, fit their needs perfectly. Download the pdf report VIU Tourism Market Research

PACE Report: Protected Areas and Poverty Reduction

PAPR:  A Canada-Africa Research and Learning Alliance Alleviating rural poverty and ensuring environmental sustainability are two of the biggest issues facing the planet. They are fundamentally and inextricably linked – extreme poverty inhibits environmental sustainability and degraded natural environments exacerbate rural poverty. Vancouver Island University researchers are part of an international team that is addressing this issue.  Download the pdf report VIU Protected Areas and Poverty Reduction

PACE Report: Students contribute to BC Resort Community Labour Market Project

Vancouver Island University tourism students Erin Heeney and Shannon Bence were involved in a five person research team to study the Tourism Labour Market in BC’s resort communities. The project was led by go2, BC’s Tourism Human Resource Society to increase the competitiveness of the resort communities with respect to the supply of labour. Download the pdf report VIU BC Resort Communities

VIU TOURISM GRAD AWARDED ONE-YEAR INTERNSHIP IN KENYA

Kenya’s Campi ya Kanzi has hosted celebrity guests like Naomi Watts and Edward Norton, who have travelled there on vacation to enjoy beautiful views of Mount Kilimanjaro and a luxury-filled safari experience across vast acres of East African wild land. While the views and wildlife are equally exciting for VIU graduate Katie Schneider, her attraction to this luxury safari camp is more about the work it has been doing since 1996 to promote sustainable tourism and protect wildlife and habitat, … Continued

Vancouver Island University waives tuition for seven former children in care

Vancouver Island University has waived tuition for seven former children-in-care as it becomes the first post-secondary school in B.C. to cover fees for ex-wards of the state. University president Ralph Nilson said the seven students are enrolled in a variety of programs, including criminology, humanities, social work and health care. A number of them are in the second or third year of an undergraduate degree. Most are in their late 20s, Nilson said. “That’s, I think, an indication of the challenge they have … Continued