Unlocking Exclusive Benefits: A Comprehensive Guide for VIU Alumni

Vancouver Island University (VIU) is committed to supporting its alumni even after graduation. This article explores the various exclusive benefits available to VIU alumni, focusing on opportunities for continued learning, career advancement, and community engagement. The Council on Undergraduate Research (CUR) also plays a significant role in undergraduate research, offering various opportunities and resources.

Lifelong Learning and Professional Development

VIU alumni can access various resources to support their lifelong learning and professional development.

CUR Initiatives

The Council on Undergraduate Research (CUR) amplifies the transformative impact of undergraduate research and strengthens support for its members. CUR positions its community as a driver of innovation and knowledge creation. CUR is dedicated to promoting undergraduate research, scholarship, and creative activity in all fields of study. CUR hosts an annual conference for students, welcoming presenters from all institutions of higher learning and from all disciplines. This conference creates a unique environment for the celebration and promotion of undergraduate student achievement, shares models of exemplary research, and provides a platform to recognize excellence in undergraduate education.

CUR is launching a new strategic plan, a roadmap designed to guide them toward CUR Twenty30. Grounded in their mission and values, the plan reflects months of listening, learning, and envisioning how undergraduate research can rise to meet the challenges and opportunities of our time. The Board has already begun leaning into this future-focused work, dedicating time to foresight, beginning with a deep dive into artificial intelligence (AI) and its implications for CUR and undergraduate research (UR). Divisions are moving forward with action plans to engage the community in content, and the Council is kicking off its work for the year, diving deep into COEUR, AI, and UR in online education.

Advocacy and Leadership

Advocacy is the core to advancing undergraduate research. Policies that shape research funding, education priorities, and campus resources are influenced by those willing to speak up. CUR members share their perspectives through the Advocacy Take Action Tool or directly with representatives at the local, state, and national level. Serving as a CUR leader is an opportunity to shape the future of undergraduate research, strengthen the community, and ensure that collective advocacy is heard.

On-Demand Learning and Webinars

CUR offers on-demand learning offerings and webinars. These resources are designed to provide alumni with flexible learning opportunities to enhance their knowledge and skills.

Career Advancement and Networking

VIU alumni have access to various resources and programs designed to support their career advancement and networking efforts.

Gonzaga's Approach to Career Development

Gonzaga University emphasizes the importance of working with people and networking for career development. According to Koontz, much of career development is dependent on so few individuals. Gonzaga has this unique ability to create you as an entire human being and exposes students to different opportunities.

VIU by HUB Partnership

VIU by HUB partnered with Gonzaga, creating a one-stop shop for insurance shopping. VIU by HUB offers Gonzaga alumni and staff an easy way to shop for, compare quotes, and purchase personal insurance policies, as well as receive trusted advice.

Networking Opportunities

Networking is essential for career advancement. VIU alumni can leverage the Zag Network to connect with fellow graduates and industry professionals.

Read also: Navigating Digital Learning

Volunteer Work

Getting involved in the community early is crucial. Koontz started volunteering for boards for self-serving reasons, such as networking. Volunteering provides opportunities to meet new people and gain valuable experience.

Community Engagement and Support

VIU encourages alumni to stay connected with the university and the broader community through various engagement opportunities.

Addressing Student Hunger at VIU

VIU students enrolled in an interdisciplinary team-based research course confronted a mounting issue experienced on campuses across Canada: student hunger. Six students completed a research project that investigated food security on all three Vancouver Island University campuses through the Community-Based Applied Interdisciplinary Research program.

Research Findings on Food Security

Of the more than 300 survey respondents, 35 per cent identified as food insecure, and 74 per cent said food insecurity is a problem at VIU. Lack of affordable food was also noted, with 77 per cent reporting the cost of food on campus as a barrier. Students said the hours of operation at the cafeteria were inadequate, and there are no on-campus food services open on weekends. The team found that international student respondents were at the highest risk of being food insecure. There is a significant lack of culturally appropriate food options and allergen-free options to meet dietary needs. The team created a walkability map that showed limited affordable food options within a one-kilometer walking radius from the Nanaimo campus. The closest grocery store is a 20-minute walk away.

Students identifying as food insecure use short-term coping strategies: 47 per cent skip meals, with anywhere from zero to 20 meals skipped per week; 42 per cent rely on discounted products; and 8 per cent said they have resorted to unconventional methods such as stealing food or even dumpster diving.

Recommendations for Improving Food Security

The team has a list of recommendations for improving food security on campuses, including having a student representative at the students’ union and on the Board of Governors who can speak specifically to food security issues. Other suggestions include an at-cost or sliding scale market on campus or a small grocery store on campus. Students want the university to implement a program to advertise and sell unused food items from the cafeterias at the end of the day at significantly discounted prices or free after certain hours.

CUR's Role in Educating the Public and Policymakers

The Council on Undergraduate Research supports and participates in a campaign to educate the public and policymakers about the vital role played by NIH. The non-partisan campaign is led by an alliance called Research!America.

NCUR Conferences

In partnership with Grand Valley State University (GVSU), NCUR 2027 will be an opportunity for undergraduate students and their mentors from around the world to present their research, celebrate their successes, and prepare for the future. Each conference hosts thousands of students from across the globe, presenting their research through posters, oral presentations, visual arts, and performances. Their faculty mentors also attend, often presenting or facilitating faculty/mentor networking sessions.

Financial Services

Prometheum's Offerings

Prometheum is developing a securities issuance and trading network based on Prometheum Network and Ember Tokens. Prometheum plans to facilitate online capital formation through the issuance and trading of Token Securities. Prometheum Network will enable a smart contract based securities issuance and trading system.

The value of Ember Tokens will be determined by supply and demand. Prometheum intends to manage the supply of Ember Tokens, if and when issued, through the use of policy and quantitative tools.

Risks Associated with Prometheum's Offerings

Investing in Warrants or the Ember Tokens or Common Stock issuable under certain conditions is speculative and involves a high degree of risk of loss of all or a material portion of an investor’s entire investment. The Ember Tokens have not been created and may never be created. There is no guarantee that a market for the Ember Tokens may ever develop. Ember Tokens may have little or no value, which in turn would result in the Warrants having little or no value. Potential investors may lose their entire investment. The purchase of Ember Tokens is subject to the risk of mining attacks.

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