Prof. DJ Sandhu, the new BC Regional Innovation Chair in Canada-India Business and Economic Development

The BC Regional Innovation Chair in Canada-India Business and Economic Development will help businesses in the Fraser Valley and Lower Mainland region take advantage of the opportunities offered by the huge Indian market. The new chair, with support from the Centre for Indo-Canadian Studies at UFV, will provide local businesses with the expertise and research necessary for them to access the fast-growing Indian economy and other overseas markets.

Sandhu is an MBA who combines teaching at the University of the Fraser Valley with management consultation here and in India. He has extensive experience developing international markets and launching and running companies involved in financing new manufacturing ventures.

The Province provided a $1.25-million contribution for the BC Regional Innovation Chair on Canada-India Business and Economic Development with matching funding from hundreds of community supporters to bring the total endowment for the chair to $2.5 million.

“The establishment of this research chair is a direct result of a strong partnership with the Province and incredible support from our local communities through our Centre for Indo-Canadian Studies,” said Sandhu. “As a result, we feel a tremendous sense of responsibility to get it right. There is a recognized need for the services we will provide and the strong interest expressed by local businesses to date indicates that we’ll be kept very busy.”

Left to right: John van Dongen, MLA Abbotsford-Clayburn and Minister of State for Intergovernmental Relations; UFV President Dr. H.A. Bassford; Murray Coell, Minister of Advanced Education and Minister responsible for Research and Technology; DJ Sandhu, BC Regional Innovation Chair in Canada-India Business and Economic Development; Mike de Jong, MLA Abbotsford - Mount Lehman and Minister of Aboriginal Relations and Reconciliation

B.C. regional innovation chairs are designed to support applied research, development and innovation that will bolster regional economic and social development in all areas of the province; foster the development of highly qualified people in areas relevant to regional social and economic development; and foster collaboration between post-secondary institutions.

The $56.25-million Leading Edge Endowment Fund will support 20 leadership chairs and nine regional innovation chairs across B.C., with matching funds to be secured by post-secondary institutions from external partners. Since 2001, British Columbia has invested over $1.5 billion in research and innovation across the province.

See additional Backgrounder on DJ Sandhu

News release

See additional information on the Chair of Canada India Business & Economic Development