centre for indo-canadian studies and research

CENTRE FOR INDO-CANADIAN
STUDIES AND RESEARCH
at University College of the Fraser Valley
Now, it’s time
Sat Gill
Poonam Jatana
Adnan Habib
Baljeet Dhaliwal
Contents
Leadership Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2
Dynamic and Evolving Ethnic Diversity in BC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3
BC’s Indo-Canadians—Leading the Way . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4
About the University College of the Fraser Valley . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5
Community Benefits of a Centre for Indo-Canadian Studies and Research . . . . .6
Student Benefits of a Centre for Indo-Canadian Studies and Research . . . . . . . . .7
Increasing Access to International Trade . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8
Enhancing Cultural Awareness . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8
A Unique Endowment for Canada . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9
Addressing Community Needs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10
Achieving our Campaign Goal of $3 Million . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11
Recognition of Donors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12
Centre for
Indo-Canadian Studies
and Resear ch
“With this [Centre for Indo-Canadian Studies and
Research], the people of this university and this fortunate
valley are reaching out to a whole new level of economic
development through the greater integration of the
Indo-Canadian community into the social and economic
sustainability of this region and our province.
Spearheaded by successful local business leaders of IndoCanadian heritage whose own expertise and resources are
dedicated to this enterprise, with UCFV, they invite you
to join them."
- BC Lieutenant Governor, Iona Campagnolo,
addressing UCFV community leaders, November 27, 2003
“The Indo-Canadian community plays a vital and
dynamic role in our region, our province, and our
country. Support for the establishment of a Centre for
Indo-Canadian Studies and Research is strong and
enthusiastic because it is clear that this will benefit the
ongoing social and economic development, not only of
the Indo-Canadian community, but also of the
community at large. UCFV is totally committed to
establishing this vital new resource to support innovative
research and teaching in Indo-Canadian Studies.”
- Skip Bassford, President
“The body of knowledge and research generated by
the Centre for Indo-Canadian Studies and Research and
the projects that spin-off of it, will enhance awareness of
Indo-Canadian issues and culture. It will also facilitate
communication between the various communities of the
Fraser Valley and in Canada as a whole.”
- Satwinder Bains, Board of Governors
Centre for
Indo-Canadian Studies
and Resear ch
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“UCFV is striving to become a centre of excellence in
research, that's why we're creating the Centre for
Indo-Canadian Studies and Research. We want to play a
greater role in enabling the social and economic
development of our region by empowering local
communities through knowledge and innovation. We
want to become an even better knowledge-based resource
through our continuing efforts to make a difference in
our region, province, and country”
- Yvon Dandurand, Dean, Research and Industry Liaison
SS Komagata Maru, 1914
Dynamic and Evolving Ethnic Diversity in BC
From downtown Vancouver to Abbotsford, the lower mainland of British Columbia is
now one of the most ethnically diverse places—not just in Canada—in the world. The
2001 census figures show an estimated one million Canadians are of Indian descent and
India is our second largest source of immigrants. Abbotsford, which lies in the heart of
the Fraser Valley, 70 kilometers east of Vancouver, has the highest proportion of
Indo-Canadian people of any metropolitan area in the country.
Centre for
Indo-Canadian Studies
and Resear ch
From Left to Right: Mishal Abrahams, Amandeep Singh, Massood Joomratty barristers and solicitors
Mehfil Magazine
3
BC’s Indo-Canadians — Leading the Way
Indo-Canadian people are prominent in all walks of life in British Columbia, most
notably in politics, law, education, business, health, and the media, despite welldocumented historic and current economic, social, and political discrimination.
Honorary Patron, Senator Mobina Jaffer
Abbotsford Councillor Moe Gill.
Dr. Kuldip Gill
Dr. Gulzar Cheema, MLA
Centre for
Indo-Canadian Studies
and Resear ch
Honorary Patron
Justice Wallace Oppal
Ujjal Dosanjh–former BC Premier
Photos: Punjabi Patrika
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About the University College of the Fraser Valley
The University College of the Fraser Valley (UCFV) is a comprehensive university
serving the Fraser Valley region of BC. UCFV has three main campuses in the cities of
Abbotsford, Chilliwack, and Mission and two regional centres in Hope and Agassiz.
We offer more than 12 bachelor’s degree
programs, as well as 70 diploma and
UCFV is now larger
certificate programs. UCFV serves more than
7,500 Canadian, and 350 international
than half of Canada’s
students each year with more than 600
faculty and staff. UCFV is now larger than
universities
half of Canada’s universities.
Centre for
Indo-Canadian Studies
and Resear ch
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Community Benefits of a Centre for Indo-Canadian
Studies and Research
The Centre for Indo-Canadian Studies and Research will enhance community life by:
• Providing business people access to information about doing business with India;
• Providing up-to-date resources, data, statistics, and studies relevant to the
Indo-Canadian community and those who want to know more about the
community;
• Providing a place to convene and implement research projects;
• Promoting the importance of knowledge and learning about the social and
economic contributions of the Indo-Canadian community;
• Providing a focus on strengthening the already powerful contribution of BC's
Indo-Canadian communities to the Canadian economy;
• Providing research that will help inform policy in the areas of health, social
services, education, and social development;
• Providing an understanding of the entire pan-Indian community. Awareness of
the diversity in India will be reflected in the Centre; and
• Providing a home for scholars and scholarship that will benefit the entire
Canadian community.
Centre for
Indo-Canadian Studies
and Resear ch
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Abbotsford, 2003
Punjabi Patrika
Student Benefits of a Centre for Indo-Canadian Studies
and Research
There will be many student benefits from the Centre including:
• More opportunities for student and faculty exchanges with India;
• More co-op opportunities in Canada and India;
• More curriculum development related to Indo-Canadian Studies such
as Punjabi language courses, Indian history and literature courses. UCFV will
establish an Indo-Canadian Studies program.
• More public lectures and conferences related to this theme sponsored by UCFV;
• More career opportunities for students in education, policing, child and
youth care, social work, and criminal justice, just to name a few;
• More credibility for UCFV as a comprehensive university as we will be conducting
world-class research; and
• More opportunities for undergraduate and graduate students to do important
research that will enhance their degrees and improve their access to graduate schools.
Centre for
Indo-Canadian Studies
and Resear ch
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Increasing Access to International Trade
It’s the right time to focus on issues of international trade with South Asia. In March of
2001, then Foreign Affairs Minister, John Manley, announced the Canadian
government’s intention to engage with India. India’s economy is strong and several
recent high-level visits and trade missions led by Canadian ministers have paved the
way for increased commercial relations.
The potential social and economic
contributions of Indo-Canadians
now extend beyond Canada’s borders
to the international marketplace.
The potential is great for
Indo-Canadian people to help
strengthen ties with South Asia,
facilitate greater international trade,
and assist in opening up new
overseas markets. This is what the
Centre for Indo-Canadian Studies
and Research will provide.
The potential is great for
Indo-Canadian people to help
strengthen ties with South Asia,
facilitate greater international
trade, and assist in opening up
new overseas markets.
Enhancing Cultural Awareness
Challenges remain. Barriers to social and economic integration—such as language skills,
the recognition of educational credentials from foreign institutions, cultural and
attitudinal differences—still exist. Greater awareness of the challenges and issues faced
by BC’s Indo-Canadian communities can only be reached through solid research and
access to reliable information.
Centre for
Indo-Canadian Studies
and Resear ch
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L to R: Graham Bruce, Parm Bains, Sukhminder Kahlon, Rajinder Lally, John van Dongen, Raj Lally, Balbir Mahil, and Norm Sangha
Punjabi Patrika
L to R: Parm Bains, John van Dongen, Gurnaik Singh Brar, Norm S. Sangha, Ian Waters, Mary Reeves, Prad Khare, Don DeVoretz
at Indo-Canadian forum, UCFV 2003.
Addressing Community Needs
Community leaders from all over the Lower Mainland and Fraser Valley took the
initiative and approached UCFV with the idea of establishing a Centre for
Indo-Canadian Studies and Research. We listened; we agreed; and we got excited.
UCFV will create a community advisory council to provide
general guidance for the ongoing activities of the Centre.
The council will consist of Vice-President Academic, Dean
of Research, one internal and one external scholar, and
members of the community.
We listened;
we agreed; and
we got excited.
An annual report will be made public each year, and it will contain a financial
report about the Centre for Indo-Canadian Studies and Research endowment fund
and its use. One major public lecture will be presented every year to inform the
community of the progress accomplished through the program and to outline major
research findings.
Centre for
Indo-Canadian Studies
and Resear ch
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UCFV students at convocation 2003
A Unique Endowment for Canada
Now, it’s time
UCFV is establishing the only endowed Centre for Indo-Canadian Studies and
Research. The Centre will become one of the defining features of our university. It will
be a focal point for community initiatives, research, visiting scholars, student exchanges,
and course development. The Centre will make UCFV an information destination for
people who want to do business with India or the Indo-Canadian community. It will be
a centre for excellence, which will attract scholars, experts, students, and policy makers.
The Centre will make UCFV
an information destination
for people who want to do
business with India or the
Centre for
Indo-Canadian Studies
and Resear ch
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Indo-Canadian community.
There is enthusiastic support for this project
from people all over Canada and India.
Community leaders in the Fraser Valley and in
the Lower Mainland have pledged their
support and assistance to help us create the
Centre for Indo-Canadian Studies and
Research. A $3 million endowment will fund
the work of the Centre in perpetuity.
Rob Nickom, Chair UCFV Board; Skip Bassford, President UCFV, Gurpreet Mahil, President Student Union Society, UCFV; and
Marian Dyck, Chair UCFV Foundation, accept $50,000 pledge from the Student Union
Achieving our Campaign Goal of $3 Million
To establish the Centre for Indo-Canadian Studies and Research at UCFV, a new
endowment fund totalling $3 million will be created. These funds will be raised by
UCFV and the community.
The endowment will be administered by the UCFV Foundation. Foundations invest
their capital fund to create an everlasting endowment that grows in size over time.
Earnings generated by this endowment fund will be used to support the work of the
Centre including the work of a Chair, visiting scholars, exchanges, research, course
development, and the eventual development of a physical space dedicated to the IndoCanadian Centre.
Donors can commit to a pledge amount now, and spread their donation over a
maximum of five years.
Centre for
Indo-Canadian Studies
and Resear ch
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Recognition of Donors
The Community Committee for the Centre for Indo-Canadian Studies and Research and
UCFV invite you to invest in this special project.
UCFV will ensure that all donations are recognized in an appropriate public and
permanent manner (unless otherwise requested). All donors will be recognized
throughout the campaign in media announcements and special publications.
Gifts of $5,000 or more will be inscribed on a permanent recognition wall and these
donors will be invited to major special events in recognition of their contribution.
Of course, all donations are eligible for a receipt for tax purposes. Donations of in-kind
gifts will be considered on an individual basis.
For more information about how you can support the Centre for Indo-Canadian Studies
and Research endowment fund contact:
Bob Warick, Executive Director, UCFV Foundation
Phone: 604-864-4611
Fax: 604-859-6653
Email: bob.warick@ucfv.ca
Madeleine Hardin, Campaign Director, Centre for Indo-Canadian Studies and Research Endowment
Phone: 604-854-4566
Fax: 604-853-8055
Email: madeleine.hardin@ucfv.ca
Parm Bains, Chair, Centre for Indo-Canadian Studies and Research Endowment
Phone: 604-854-4547
Fax: 604-853-8055
Email: parm.bains@ucfv.ca
Paul Wadhawan, Vice-Chair, Centre for Indo-Canadian Studies and Research Endowment
Phone: 604-854-4547
Fax: 604-853-8055
Email: paul.wadhawan@ucfv.ca
Baljeet Dhaliwal, Consultant, Centre for Indo-Canadian Studies and Research Endowment
Phone: 604-504-7441 local 4350
Fax: 604-853-8055
Email: baljeet.dhaliwal@ucfv.ca
Centre for
Indo-Canadian Studies
and Resear ch
Mailing address for all contacts:
Centre for Indo-Canadian Studies and Research Campaign Office
UCFV Abbotsford campus
33844 King Road
Abbotsford, BC
Canada
V2S 7M8
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A special thanks to the Punjabi Patrika newspaper and Mehfil Magazine for generously supplying photos.