The year included campus openings, construction developments, program funding announcements and celebrations of student, staff and alumni achievements.
“There were so many things that made 2018 a remarkable year for NIC and the communities we serve,” said NIC President, John Bowman. “I’m incredibly proud of the work that has been put in by the entire college community to support students across the region and we wanted to share some of the highlights from the past year.”
- January 2018: NIC celebrated the opening of its new campus in Port Hardy with an open house that brought together students, faculty and community partners from across the North Island.
- February 2018: NIC welcomed nearly 1,400 Grade 11 students to its Comox Valley and Port Alberni campuses to explore post-secondary life. The month also saw NIC launch a new employment site called CareerCentral, where employers can post jobs for free. NIC also wrapped up its innovative TV and Film Crew Training program, which saw 138 students earn credentials to work in the Island’s growing film industry.
- March 2018: The NIC Foundation offered a record $375,000 in scholarships and bursaries to NIC students.
- April 2018: NIC Elder-in-Residence Dr. Evelyn Voyageur received the 2018 Indspire Award for outstanding career achievement, one of the highest honours within the Indigenous community. She also received an honorary doctorate from Thompson Rivers University, in recognition of her lifelong contribution to health care. Also in April, NIC business student Jessie Gervais became the third NIC student to become a Ch’nook Scholar.
- May 2018: NIC celebrated its partnership with Tla-o-qui-aht Nation, Nuu-chah-nulth Tribal Council, Camosun College and VIU in the creation of new energy efficient shipping container homes on the West Coast.
- June 2018: BC Advanced Education minister Melanie Mark toured the Campbell River campus and announced a new Coastal Forestry program. Later that month, NIC hosted several graduation ceremonies.
- July 2018: The BC government announced the expansion of NIC's Early Childhood Care and Education programming, with an accelerated, part-time certificate program starting in January 2019.
- August 2018: Registration opened for two new Aboriginal programs and Nuu-chah-nulth language courses, developed in consultation with First Nation communities. NIC developed the programs in response to the calls to action of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission. The new Aboriginal Leadership certificate offers First Nations leaders the tools to manage Aboriginal organizations across Canada.
- September 2018: NIC kicked off the academic year with Orientation Day at each of its campuses. The project Campbell River welcomed 370 students, including about 45 international students. The campus is home to a $17.6 million expansion and renovation project that will see expanded learning spaces and programs. includes new trades shops, a new teaching kitchen and bistro, a new Library and Learning Commons, as well as renovated spaces for Timberline Secondary students.
- October 2018: NIC announces the launch of a new Aquaculture Technician certificate in winter of 2019 to provide students with technical skills to work with a variety of species in BC’s growing aquaculture industry. NIC alumna Tina Tang was honoured as one of Canada's top young chefs in the Globe and Mail.
- November 2018: NIC relaunches its Professional Photography program, which will give NIC students the skills, experience and portfolio to kick-start their professional careers.
- December 2018: NIC announces it will be able to increase its in-community trades training, thanks to a generous donation from A.B. Edie Equities Inc. owner Allan Edie. Edie donated more than $273,000 in equipment to NIC, including a high-tech welding truck and trailer, which gives NIC the ability to bring trades training into remote communities.
As NIC looks ahead to 2019, it remains committed to providing quality, affordable education and skills training in collaborating with community partners to create pathways to learning and empowering individuals to achieve their full potential.
For more information and a complete list of news stories throughout the past year, visit the NIC Newsroom.
