With 2017 underway, NIC looks back at the innovation, resourcefulness and dedication displayed by students, staff and faculty.
It was a milestone year as the 40th graduation class donned caps and gowns, marking 155,000 students across 80,000 square kilometres that have taken a course or improved their lives through education at NIC.
“We are very proud of all the students graduating this year,” said NIC President, John Bowman last June. “Seeing them accomplish their goals is extremely rewarding and inspiring for friends, family and the entire college community.”
Here are a few highlights from 2016:
n January 2016: NIC’s collaboration with 35 First Nations partners was been singled out nationally by Maclean’s magazine. The article, Colleges Agree to be Accountable, featured a photo of K’ómoks First Nation Chief Rob Everson, NIC President John Bowman and First Nations representatives signing the protocol at the K’ómoks Big House.
n February 2016: More than 1,000 high school students from across the North Island took part in interactive classroom experiences to explore their post-secondary options at NIC’s High School Open House events.
n March 2016: NIC students and community members connected with employers from the business, trades, tourism, education, health and government sectors at NIC’s annual career fair.
n April 2016: NIC received funding for additional trades seats in the electrical, plumbing and truck and transport (heavy duty mechanical) apprenticeship programs as part of B.C.’s Skills for Jobs Blueprint.
n May 2016: Nanwakolas Council presented an $11,000 cheque to NIC to help grow the Tl’axsam Memorial Bursary in support of Aboriginal students studying at NIC.
n June 2016: NIC’s Taste fundraising gala was a great success, raising $20,000 in support of NIC programs and the purchase of new classroom equipment that will benefit students for many years to come.
n July 2016: Up to 200 elementary students, aged 9-12, had the opportunity to build, program and operate Lego EV3 robots over the summer across the North Island as the college kicked off a series of Lego robotics camp in Campbell River, the Comox Valley, Port Alberni, Port Hardy and Ucluelet.
n August 2016: Courtenay art exhibit features samples of communication design work and painting by NIC students and alumni as well as a display of NIC’s 25-year old printmaking archives.
n September 2016: A group of eight NIC students were the only representatives from B.C. to participate in an exclusive video conference with Federal Finance Minister Bill Morneau.
n October 2016: NIC nursing students, elders and faculty shared their experience taking part in NIC’s annual Global Learning Initiative. Each year, NIC Bachelor of Science in Nursing students travel to remote First Nations communities to learn through traditions, culture and relationships.
n November 2016: NIC tourism and hospitality students hosted a Casino Royale themed wine festival, bringing together wineries, craft breweries, distillers and distributers from Vancouver Island and beyond. The college’s Professional Cook students, guided by Chef Xavier Bauby, provided delicious hors d’oevres.
n December 2016: Paramedics and Search and Rescue Technicians from CFB Comox and the BC Ambulance Service simulated a mock disaster at NIC’s Komoux Hall as part of a class project on disaster preparedness and disaster nursing.
