South Asian Studies Institute

The SASI is happy to announce that Dr. Bajwa is the new Chair of the South Asian Studies Advisory Committee (SACAC). Dr. Bajwa takes the reigns from Bharathi Sandhu who has been the Chair since 2016.. We thank Bharathi for her dedication and contribution as a member and Chair to the committee. Dr. Bajwa has … Read more

Asmita Gupta is currently pursuing a Master’s in Library and Information Studies at the iSchool at the University of British Columbia (UBC). She works as a Metadata Research Assistant for the South Asian Digital Archive (SACDA) at the South Asian Studies Institute. Her position, funded by a SSHRC Partnership Development Grant, is part of the … Read more

The Nikkei National Museum and Cultural Centre in Burnaby hosted a festive and warm opening of the SASI Haq and History exhibit on November 2, 2024. Nikkei director Sherri Shinobu Kajiwara welcomed all and introduced Cecelia Point of the Musqueam nation who gave an indigenous welcome to South Asian immigrants who came to Canada at … Read more

In October 2024, the SASI hosted  4 Lectures and Film screenings; October 8, 2024 Lecture by Dr. Hassan Javid Challenging Authoritarianism: The 2024 Elections in South Asia. Dr. Javid captured the audience with his insights on the complexities of the 2024 elections in Pakistan, India, and Bangladesh. He explored the similarities of the 3 elections … Read more

On the magical evening of September 19, the South Asian Studies Institute (SASI) transformed the University of the Fraser Valley’s K building patio into a vibrant celebration of South Asian folk music and poetry. The event,  set under the blue skies of the Fraser Valley, showcased the rich, diverse traditions of folk music from South … Read more

On July 25th, 2024, the South Asian Studies Institute (SASI) received 3 million+ photographs for stewardship and preservation, taken by the legendary BC photojournalist late Mr. Chandra Bodalia. The SASI plans to digitize, preserve, and provide open access to the photographs through its key initiative, South Asian Canadian Digital Archive with the Royal BC Museum (RBCM), … Read more

SASI selected four lectures and screenings for the South Asian Studies  FALL SERIES A mix of lectures and film screenings from B.C. And beyond! October 8, 2024 Lecture by Dr. Hassan Javid  – Challenging Authoritarianism: The 2024 Elections in South Asia – A lecture on the complexities of the 2024 elections in Pakistan, India, and … Read more

SASI’s 5th annual Bajwa Dhami Community Golf Day fundraising event, started off with a (very) rainy start, but the true spirit of the event shone through when our players and sponsors braved the weather, arriving on time and showing their unwavering commitment to our cause, raising funds for the SASI Research Fellowship Endowment. Teams enthusiastically moved … Read more

All of us at the South Asian Studies Institute (SASI) at the University of the Fraser Valley, are so proud that our Director, colleague, and friend Dr. Satwinder Kaur Bains was presented the King Charles III Coronation Medal by Lieutenant Governor Janet Austin and Premier of British Columbia David Eby in Vancouver on August 27, … Read more