Monday, March 22, 2004

Contact: Bob Warick

Executive Director

University College of the Fraser Valley

Community Relations and Development

Phone: 604-864-4611

Email: warick@ucfv.ca

UCFV awaits news on provincial grant for Indo-Canadian centre

Canada and the Fraser Valley will have a new economic development resource in the form of a world-class researcher at the new Centre of Indo-Canadian Studies at UCFV if an application to the provincial government is successful.

UCFV is applying to the provincial Leading Edge Endowment Fund for Regional Innovation Chairs. If the application is successful, the provincial government will provide $1.25 million in matching funds to establish this position.

The focus for the work of this new research scholar will be economic development as it relates to the Indo-Canadian community in the region, the province, and across the country. Along with research on economic opportunities within Canada, research will be conducted to assist to develop stronger economic ties with South Asia.

The work of the researcher will become one of many activities at the heart of the new Centre for Indo-Canadian Studies and Research at UCFV. Other activities for the Centre will include developing courses and programs that focus on the issues, challenges, and opportunities related to the integration of the Indo-Canadian community into the broader community.  In doing so, the Centre will also provide a valuable resource for the economic and social development of the entire community.

The idea for establishing a Centre for Indo-Canadian Studies and Research at UCFV grew from community interest, which culminated in a forum of community leaders last spring. The forum recommended the establishment of the Centre to address the need for educational programs, to conduct research into several topics – especially economic development, and to build a stronger general community through better understanding and integration of the rapidly growing Indo-Canadian community. Already, the Fraser Valley has the highest proportion of Indo-Canadian people of any metropolitan area of Canada.

“Our application for a regional innovation chair is one of the keys to the establishment of the Centre,” says UCFV President Skip Bassford. “It will provide the foundation and focus for the very important and urgent work that needs to be done, both to understand the contribution of this dynamic group within our communities, and to build on the many opportunities that exist for everyone.”

The new Centre for Indo-Canadian Studies and Research will be based on the UCFV Abbotsford campus. A fundraising campaign is now underway to raise $3 million to create an endowment that will fund the work of the researcher and the many other activities of the Centre in perpetuity. UCFV has committed funds to support the fundraising work and to establish the first courses in Indo-Canadian studies. The endowment fund will be administered by the UCFV Foundation which was established to years ago to raise money to support UCFV and to manage endowments funds which provide funding for scholarships and bursaries, as well as for special projects and learning resources.

The results of the research undertaken by the Centre and its other activities will provide a valuable information resource and expanded educational opportunities. This information will help to shape government policies and business planning. It will open the doors to more new regional economic opportunities, jobs for young people, expanded educational opportunities at UCFV, and exchange programs for students and faculty with universities in India.

The Centre will be open to the public and students, and its resources will be available to everyone who is interested.

“UCFV now enrolls approximately 1,500 Indo-Canadian students. Many recognize that understanding more about their own history, language and culture can be very valuable in their future careers and professions,” says Bassford. “The Centre will give Indo-Canadian students the chance to learn to read and write the language of their parents and grandparents, and to take pride in their heritage.”

Bassford adds that many non-Indo-Canadian students are reporting that they are very pleased to be learning and appreciating more about their Indo-Canadian classmates, neighbours, and future business clients and professional associates. He says that students from a variety of ethnic backgrounds are currently studying in the new UCFV Indo-Canadian courses in history, social work, and philosophy.

The selection of the research scholar will be accomplished through an extensive process commonly used by universities to fill highly specialized positions, such as this one. A search will be conducted throughout the national and international academic communities to ensure that the scholar will have the experience and expertise needed to conduct effective and wide-reaching research.

A community advisory council will guide the work of the new Centre. Council members will represent the spectrum of areas within the Indo-Canadian and the broader community, and include senior members of the UCFV administration and academic leaders.

UCFV expects to receive a response in May to its application for the provincial matching grant.

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