September 28, 2007
Media contact: Patty Wellborn
604-795-2819
or 604-504-7441, local 2819
patty.wellborn@ucfv.ca
UCFV helps Panjab University celebrate diamond jubilee
UCFV is helping a friend celebrate a major milestone.
Panjab University, located in Chandigarh, Punjab State, India, is marking its 60th anniversary and UCFV’s vice-president external Robert Buchan is there meeting with politicians, dignitaries, faculty, and students. While in India, he will participate in a number of events to celebrate the university’s diamond jubilee.
“Over a relatively short period of time, Panjab University has built an enviable standing in the global academic community,” Buchan said, before leaving.
UCFV and Panjab University have a strong relationship and friendship. In 2004, UCFV signed a memorandum of understanding with Panjab that has paved the way for a number of innovative projects and partnerships between the two universities. In 2005, for example, UCFV provided the initial grant to Panjab University to launch its Canadian Studies Centre (CSC), sister organization to UCFV’s thriving Centre for Indo-Canadian Studies. The CSC has since hosted numerous lectures and presentations on the topics related to Canada-India relations.
Earlier this month, two UCFV students left for internships at the CSC, where they will help coordinate the 2008 Child Friendly City conference. This international event will address child poverty issues around the world. To coincide with that conference, which will be held at Panjab University, UCFV has also organized a three-week study tour to India next February, led by the Centre for Indo-Canadian Studies.
UCFV is also now in its second year of delivering a Bachelor of Business Administration degree in Chandigarh at SD College, which is an affiliate of Panjab University. 37 students are enrolled in that program.
“UCFV is extremely proud of its collaboration with Panjab University,” Buchan said. “Together we are committed to enhancing the welfare of the communities we serve and have great reasons to celebrate our joint successes and Panjab’s diamond jubilee.”
Panjab University was established in the late 1800s but after India’s partition and independence in 1947 the university was re-established in Chandigarh and is now rated as one of the top 10 in India.
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