Nov. 21, 2009 

Media contact: Crystal Sawyer
Mobile: +91-98724-84206
Email: crystal.sawyer@ufv.ca
 

SD College’s Canadian partner training youths to become
global professionals

Creating highly skilled young professionals was the theme last night, when SD College’s Canadian partner, the University of the Fraser Valley, awarded Rs. 2-lakh (~C$4500) in scholarships to students of its highly practical BBA degree programme that has been delivered in Chandigarh since 2006.

Panchkula students Manbeen Riar and Reekrit Serai took home Rs. 1-lakh and Rs. 50,000 respectively. Senior students Amarmeet Khehra, of Chandigarh, and Ssonam Dutta, of Shimla, each walked away with Rs. 25,000 for maintaining averages above 95 per cent.

The varsity, headquartered near Vancouver, Canada, is tackling India’s skill shortage with a unique approach that ensures graduates get exactly the skills employers need, and can launch their careers right after graduating at bachelor level. 

“The UFV initiative in Punjab and Chandigarh is a fine example of the excellent multi-dimensional relationship between Canada and India,” said Mr. Davinder P.S. Sandhu, Director, Prime Minister of India’s Office, during his keynote address. “I wish this educational initiative an excellent future, and to the stars of today’s evening, the young BBA students, go forth into the world and practice what you have learned. May you bring fame and honour to the University of the Fraser Valley, your profession, and to your respective nations.”

“UFV has definitely made me self-reliant, and has given me wings to soar,” said Ms. Jeevika Goyal, a second year student of the BBA programme, addressing the audience of 300 guests. “It is helping young India to create dynamic future leaders.”

UFV’s retiring President and Vice-Chancellor, Dr. H.A. (Skip) Bassford, and incoming President and Vice-Chancellor, Dr. Mark Evered, had come from Canada to hold a special torch-passing ceremony to mark the occasion. 

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	University of the Fraser Valley President and Vice-Chancellor Dr. Mark Evered, Vice-President Academic Dr. Eric Davis, President and Vice-Chancellor (Emeritus) Dr. H.A. (Skip) Bassford and Principal, S.D. College Dr. A.C. Vaid present UFV student Ms. Manbeen Riar with an entrance scholarship worth Rs. 1-lakh for Outstanding Academic Achievement.
	Mr. Davinder PS Sandhu, Director, Prime Minister of India’s office, accepted honours from Ms. Crystal awyer, Manager, Communication, University of the Fraser Valley, for presenting the keynote address at UFV’s fourth anniversary and awards celebrations.

• Shri Davinder P.S. Sandhu, Director, Prime Minister of India’s Office
• Hon. Helen Economo-Amundsen, Consul-General of Canada
• Dr. H.A. (Skip) Bassford, UFV Outgoing President and Vice Chancellor
• Dr. Mark Evered, UFV Incoming President and Vice-Chancellor
• Dr. A.C. Vaid, Principal, SD College
• Prof. DJ Sandhu, British Columbia Skills and Investment Liaison & B.C. Regional Innovation Chair, Canada–India Business and Economic Development

 
BACKGROUNDER

• UFV has designed its internationally-recognised business degree in collaboration with more than 650 employers, and uses a team- and project-based model to impart skills in communication, presentation, teamwork, leadership, critical thinking, conflict resolution, problem solving and time management.
• Since 2006, UFV students at the Chandigarh campus have completed projects for a long list of Indian firms and multinationals, including Aditya Birla Group, Kingfisher Air, Reliance, Tata Motors, Nike, Adidas, Hyundai Motors, Airtel, ICICI, Nokia, Bharat Petroleum, Cafe Coffee Day, and many more. 
• Students use a case-based model and work in teams on projects for real companies, even from the first semester of BBA.  
• Students can complete the entire degree at the UFV campus at SD College Chandigarh, or transfer to Canada at any time after year one. They save at least 65% while studying in India, as compared to fees as an international student in Canada.
• UFV is widely supported by the largest proportion of Indo-Canadians in Canada and operates the Centre for Indo-Canadian Studies.
• The university has MoU’s in India with Panjab University, SD College Chandigarh, University of Mumbai, Manipal University, Guru Nanak Dev University, and the Centre for Research in Rural and Industrial Development. 
• In 2004, UFV provided Rs. 10-lakh to Panjab University to launch its Canadian Studies Centre.
• For more information visit www.ufv.ca/chandigarh

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