On September 10th, Dr, Mark Evered, Vice-Chancellor and President of UFV hosted the Vice Chancellor of Punjabi University, Dr Jaspal Singh. Faculty, staff, community leaders and members from the management team attended the meeting which generated good discussion and dialogue.
The CICS has an ongoing relationship with Punjabi University under a general MoU. Dr Evered reiterated our commitment to interacting with the community at large and to examine issues as they arise. He spoke to the need to develop, maintain and enhance our connections with the Diaspora communities in the area with a goal to recognize the high level of achievement enjoyed by many. Dr Evered also appreciated the fact that Dr Singh had made the visit to the UFV campus twice in the last three years and his visit to the campus in Patiala. Dr Singh invited Dr Evered to visit Patiala again this year in October when the Premier’s delegation visits India.
Dr Singh spoke about the accomplishments of the Punjabi University and its status as the largest University in India with 65 Departments, 250 colleges, and 250,000 students. He was especially proud of the Centre for Diaspora Studies, The Center for Women’s Studies, The Punjabi Language Department, the Centre for North American Studies, while also focusing on Punjabi, culture, art, history, culture, music and literature. A new academic Punjabipedia Project has been initiated by Punjabi University that will promote the Punjabi language and literature.
Dr Singh and Dr Evered pledged to work together on projects and programs in the coming years.
