Vancouver Island University president Ralph Nilson was honoured along with faculty and staff earlier this month for leadership in establishing the Youth in Care Tuition Waiver Program, the first of its kind in B.C.
Mary Ellen Turpel-Lafond, B.C.’s Representative for Children and Youth, made the special presentation to Nilson during a conference at the Vancouver Island Conference Centre last month.
“The reason we’re doing this recognition is because Dr. Nilson and Vancouver Island University were the first in B.C. to adopt and champion tuition waivers for kids in care,” said Turpel-Lafond, noting that VIU now has 41 students enrolled in the program.
Nilson was joined on stage by VIU faculty and staff in attendance at the conference, as well as students now studying at VIU in the program.