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| Vancouver Island University | |
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| Motto: | Enjoy the journey |
| Established: | 1969 Malaspina University-College. Renamed Vancouver Island University (April 23, 2008-present) |
| Type: | Public University |
| Chancellor: | Chief Shawn Atleo |
| President: | Dr. Ralph Nilson |
| Students: | 19,124[1] |
| Undergraduates: | available |
| Location: |  Nanaimo, British Columbia, Canada |
| Affiliations: | UACC |
| Website: | http://www.viu.ca |
Vancouver Island University (formerly known as Malaspina University-College) is a publicly funded university with its main campus located in Nanaimo, British Columbia, Canada. It has smaller campuses in Duncan, Powell River and Parksville. VIU currently has a student body in excess of 19,000 as of 2008.[1]
On April 23, 2008, the provincial government of British Columbia announced its intention to amend the University Act at the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia to upgrade Malaspina University-College into a full university, to be called Vancouver Island University.[1]
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History
Vancouver Island University was founded in 1969 as Malaspina College.
Five community colleges were granted authority to offer baccalaureate degrees following a 1988 government initiative designed to increase access to degree programs in British Columbia. These five institutions — Malaspina, Fraser Valley, Kwantlen, Cariboo and Okanagan — were renamed university colleges. Initially, they offered degrees under the aegis of one or more of the three provincial universities. In 1995 they were awarded the authority to offer degrees in their own right. [2] In 1995, the province of British Columbia enacted legislation changing the institution's name to Malaspina University-College and allowing it to begin granting academic degrees and college diplomas.[3]
After a long push for the university to be renamed it was officially changed to Vancouver Island University in May 2008.
The student body continues to grow and currently has over 10,000 full-time Canadian students, and 1,000 international students from more than 50 countries. Vancouver Island University's first president was Dr. Carleton Opgaard. The university was originally was named after Captain Alexandro Malaspina, who explored Vancouver Island.
Buildings and Facilities
Several renovations have been made in the past few years to accommodate VIU's growing student body. Among them is a new 294-seat theatre; renovated library and bookstore; gymnasium and fitness facilities; art and music studios; science and computer labs; research centres; campus career centre; cafeterias; and student centre on 110-acre (0.45 km2) campus.
On-campus residences have been renovated in 2005 and 386 new apartments and single rooms have been added as well.
The Nanaimo campus is located on the slope of a hill which provides vistas of the ocean and mountains. The hill can also make access for those with disabilities difficult.
Media
The university radio station is CHLY-FM. The athletic team name is The Mariners. It also has a student newspaper, The Navigator.
Programs
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Aboriginal
VIU developed governing board and senate policies as well as aboriginal governed councils within the university structure. Aboriginal elders are present on campus at VIU to provide social supports. VIU has developed an Aboriginal Shellfish Aquaculture Training Program to meet specific needs within aboriginal communities.[4]
References
See also
- Education in Canada
- Higher education in British Columbia
- Higher education in Canada
- List of institutes and colleges in British Columbia
- List of universities in British Columbia
External links
- Nanaimo Campus
- Cowichan Campus
- Powell River Campus
- Parksville-Qualicum Campus
- BC Government announcement
- The Navigator Newspaper
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