A university of civic engagement

Student Heidi Pelman (left) with Cool-Aid Society outreach worker Larry Stevens (right) — Student Heidi Pelman (left) at the School of Social Work's downtown learning centre, with Cool-Aid Society outreach worker Larry Stevens (right). The centre brings UVic students and faculty into direct connection with the needs and expertise of the community support agency.

Locally relevant, internationally significant

The University of Victoria is proud to partner with our community beyond the campus to make our region and our world a better place to live.

We thrive on our close partnerships with organizations and businesses across Vancouver Island and around the world.

Through research initiatives that involve communities and address their priorities, we're helping our region thrive and establishing national leadership in community-relevant research.

Learn more about our community involvement.

Knowledge Mobilization Unit

The Knowledge Mobilization Unit springs from UVic's commitment to benefit society through research. It supports partnerships between faculty, students, and the wider community to help improve public policies, programs, and services.

The unit works closely with UVic's Office for Community-Based Research, the first university-wide initiative of its kind in the country.

CanAssist

Since 1999, CanAssist's interdisciplinary team of students, researchers, faculty and staff has worked with community members around the world to design, build and modify assistive devices for people with disabilities.

The CanAssist team is providing individual solutions and technologies that have attracted national and international recognition.

University 101

University 101 provides introductory academic courses in the humanities and social sciences to people whose economic and social circumstances normally pose obstacles to university education.

The program feeds the quest for knowledge among underserved groups. Meals are provided at the beginning of each class. Bus tickets and child care subsidies are also available.

Office of Community-Based Research

The Office of Community-Based Research at UVic (OCBR-UVic) is a community–university partnership. Their mission is to create and support inter-disciplinary and multi-sectoral engagement and research to create vibrant, sustainable and inclusive communities.

OCBR-UVic have created partnerships and collaborated with various NGOs, community members, business, funder and government representatives on a topics such as food security, homelessness and climate change.

Centre for Outreach Education (CORE)

The Centre for Outreach Education (CORE) is a multidisciplinary centre developed by the Faculty of Education.

Its mandate is to enhance the education of children and youth from local communities whose learning and assistance needs extend beyond the services offered by schools and current government programs.