NANAIMO – A new leadership team in the Faculty of Management (FOM) Department at Vancouver Island University (VIU) is bringing exciting new perspectives and opportunities to Business programming.
Dr. Suzanne Flannigan, the department’s incoming dean, brings a fresh dynamic energy along with extensive experience and a passion for flexible, relevant and experiential graduate programming. Recently coming from an Associate Faculty role at Royal Roads University in Victoria, her plans include strategically leveraging more involvement with the city’s business community.
“Going forward, my goal is to engage in community building by increasing the sense of purpose and direction of the department,” says Flannigan.
Associate Dean, Bryan Webber, also recently stepped into his new position. A 12-year veteran of FOM, he adds that regular reviews to determine how to best serve the community and stakeholders was the catalyst for several new focused certificates and diplomas.
“We’re just announcing a Graduate Certificate in Business starting next year that will help individuals establish the business fundamentals they need to be successful; this will be available to people with a non-business undergraduate degree and, very importantly, those who have their Red Seal standing.” 
Webber emphasized that the hallmarks of VIU include its relatively small class size, rich and diverse international experience, field schools, exchange programs and international research projects.
“VIU itself has built up the capacity to integrate and support diversity of background, experience, and thinking into our mission; our business programs in particular are excellent examples where we bring learners together from all around the world.”
Davit Iremadze, who joined the faculty last year, feels that strategic directives and an involved and active student body are placing the university in a strong position for global education and in connecting the Island community with broader business and educational opportunities.
“There is a tangible impact both from bringing an international student body to VIU and from connecting them with a local population,” he said.
Even more important for the faculty is the knowledge transfer and connections that local students make with the international student body that leads to an exchange of worldwide expertise and expansion of real world knowledge.