The University of Victoria (UVic) invites the community to drop anchor and say hello at Ship Point, where the university has set up a colourful downtown pop-up location for the community to connect with scholars and entrepreneurs of all ages.
“Learning and research at UVic is deeply rooted in our local community. Downtown Victoria and the harbour are such vibrant spaces, so Ship Point was a natural fit to celebrate local entrepreneurs and innovators whose work started on campus and now extends into the region and beyond,” says Julie Potter, UVic associate director, community relations.
Three days each week, programs like UVic’s CanAssist and the Victoria Hand Project will be on deck to showcase how research-inspired initiatives are transforming lives and businesses in the community. On Saturday, Aug. 8, CanAssist will showcase accessible music technology such as their assistive guitar strummer.
At CanAssist, we design technology and programs alongside the people who use them, solving accessibility barriers in employment, education, and daily life. The Ship Point venue is a chance to show the community that accessibility isn’t just a niche, but an opportunity to drive innovation that makes life better for all of us.”
—Paul Green, CanAssist head of inclusive technology and systems.
“We are excited about the opportunity to showcase our accessible music technologies, like the Foot-Operated Guitar Strummer, and welcome guests to come give it a try at our jam session ahead of the David Foster and Friends concert.”
Alumni who have launched business ventures are also part of the rotation, alongside young entrepreneurs. Kidovate, led by the Gustavson School of Business, will set sail at Ship Point every Wednesday from 4:30 to 7 p.m. for a micro-market offering high-quality and well-priced wares developed as part of the popular youth entrepreneurship experience.
Youth involved with Kidovate are always excited to show off what they have made, and Ship Point is a great opportunity for the community to come out, enjoy the sunshine and the free live music while supporting young entrepreneurs”
—Claudia Smith, Kidovate co-founder and Gustavson associate professor of entrepreneurship
The exterior design for the UVic-designated container was inspired by the natural beauty of Greater Victoria: the mountains, ocean and beach scenes dotted with marine life. Kids who visit can get a fun sticker and pick up a colouring sheet that doubles as a scavenger hunt for the types of animals and plants illustrated on the container, which are studied by local researchers.
UVic’s programming is an addition to the City of Victoria’s electric Summer at Ship Point program—featuring live music, food trucks and free activities. The pop-up is an example of a Memorandum of Understanding between the City of Victoria and UVic, delivering a long history of creative partnerships to achieve common goals.
UVic will be at Ship Point Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays between 4:30 and 7 p.m. this summer.
The University of Victoria is here for what matters—including celebrating local entrepreneurs. Explore how UVic is connecting with the South Island community.
