VIU operates four campuses including a main campus in Nanaimo and regional campuses in Cowichan (Duncan), Powell River (tiwšɛmawtxʷ) and a centre in Parksville•Qualicum.
History of the tiwšɛmawtxʷ Campus
In 1974 Malaspina College took responsibility for continuing education classes that were being run by Powell River’s school district. At first the classes, which were offered in the evening only, took place in a small white storefront on Marine Avenue in downtown. When the college received funding to run daytime Adult Basic Education classes a new campus opened in the Centennial Building next to the town’s museum. The new building had office space and three classrooms, although courses were also held in local elementary schools and hotels.
In 1983 the campus finally moved to a space that could accommodate the growing number of students and staff – the former Gordon Park Elementary school. The school was leased from the district and originally had 14 classrooms. Five years later a covered play area was converted into more classrooms and a new entrance, complete with a staff room, boardroom and main office was added.
In 2004, the campus was purchased from the school district and air conditioning, new flooring and new lighting installed. The newest addition to VIU’s tiwšɛmawtxʷ campus is a trades facility which opened in March 2011.
What We Offer
Our campus offers a full range of programs including Adult Basic Education – ABE (High School Equivalency), Trades Programs, University Programs including Health Sciences and Human Services Programs, Community Education and Training, ElderCollege and Online Learning. The programs offered at the tiwšɛmawtxʷ campus of Vancouver Island University reflect the unique needs of the region we serves and provides a front door for students to all Vancouver Island University programs.
What Students Say About Us
- Caring instructors
- Small classes
- Time for one-to-one attention
- Accessible advisors
- Transferable to other institutions
- Creative solutions to individual obstacles
- All staff go above and beyond to help
- Advisors know how to find resources I need/work with other agencies
- Helpful and caring library and writing centre staff