Vancouver Island University

ABOUT UNIVERSITY

Vancouver Island University (VIU), formerly Malaspina College and Malaspina University-College, is a Canadian public university founded in 1969 in Nanaimo, British Columbia. It serves Vancouver Island and the coastal region through its main Nanaimo campus and regional campuses in Duncan (Cowichan Campus) and Powell River (tiwšɛmawtxw). Initially established as a community college, VIU began granting degrees independently in 1995 and was officially designated a university in 2008. The institution is known for its innovative programs and Indigenous engagement, appointing Chief Shawn Atleo as British Columbia’s first Indigenous chancellor. VIU offers a wide array of academic disciplines and has developed interdisciplinary Liberal Studies degrees. Its main campus includes advanced facilities such as the Dr. Ralph Nilson Centre for Health & Science, a Marine, Automotive and Trades Complex, and the Deep Bay Marine Field Station. VIU is also home to Canada’s first district geo-exchange energy system, which uses water from an abandoned coal mine for sustainable heating and cooling. Other features include a LEED-certified Management Centre, a 100,000-square-foot library, and several cultural and Indigenous spaces.