VIU Students at Beach

Future Students

Robotic arm brings engineering theory to life

Submitted by Rachel Stern on January 9, 2025 - 11:14am

Students now have access to an innovative tool – a 3D printed robotic arm – that’s bringing new meaning to hands-on learning.

Dr. Xueling (Julie) Luo, an Engineering Professor, says the robotic arm will make learning more accessible because it will help bridge the gap between concepts they learn in the classroom and practical applications.

Lighting up the stage – Alex Bhargava shares his transformative experience

Submitted by Rachel Stern on December 4, 2024 - 9:13am

The connections with fellow students that Alex Bhargava made in the VIU Theatre diploma program have deeply impacted him.

“I’ve gained so much confidence in my abilities and my ability to problem solve and it’s all because of the students that were around me and their willingness to keep pushing me and encouraging me, but also to help me if I needed it.”

Saving an endangered Nanaimo flower

Submitted by Rachel Stern on July 12, 2024 - 9:34am

A small flower with yellow and cream petals is on the edge of extinction in Canada and a VIU research team is fighting to save it.

Bryan Lamprecht, a VIU Biology student, is working with Dr. Jasmine Janes, a VIU Biology Professor, studying Hosackia pinnata, also known as Bog bird’s-foot-trefoil. The rare species is red-listed in BC and Canada. There are only five sites where this rare flower grows in Canada, all near Nanaimo. The plant also grows along portions of the western coast of the United States.