Kwantlen developing South Asian Studies, Associate of Arts degree

Kwantlen University College announced a number of South Asian Studies initiatives-including development of two new Associate of Arts Degrees, during a forum on South Asian Mental Health and Addiction, held at Kwantlen‘s Surrey Campus, Friday, Oct. 7.

The conference, which was co-sponsored by Kwantlen‘s Faculty of Arts and the BC Foundation for the Study of Sikhism, drew 120 participants, including high school counselors, representatives of the Fraser Valley Health Authority, and community leaders, such as Surrey Mayor, Doug McCallum.

“The incredible turnout at today‘s forum reflects the interest in addressing mental health issues in all of the communities that make up our region,“ said Jaswinder Sandhu, Director of Academic Affairs for the BC Foundation for the Study of Sikhism.

“The foundation has an ongoing partnership with Kwantlen and we are pleased once again to participate with them in a project that will addresses the diverse needs of Surrey and the South Fraser region.“

The initiatives announced at the forum highlight Kwantlen‘s ongoing efforts to offer diverse programming that reflects the interests, experiences, and needs of its communities. They also reflect the university‘s ability to respond quickly and develop relevant and innovative course offerings.

The two Asian Studies Associate of Arts degrees being developed will create new areas of concentration for students and allow the university to gauge interest in these fields before developing BAs with a minor or major in these areas.

They will also strengthen Kwantlen‘s ties to its communities and draw students who otherwise might not attend a post-secondary institution.

“In recent years we have added a number of courses with a specific focus on Asia, which now makes it possible to mount new Associate of Arts Degrees, one in South Asian Studies and East Asian Studies,“ said Faculty of Arts Dean, Roger Elmes. “It is very important as a public institution to be involved with our communities and the BC Foundation for the Study of Sikhism has helped us with this endeavour.“

In the area of South Asian Studies, Kwantlen has developed a number of courses in collaboration with the BC Foundation for the Study of Sikhism, including the Religions of India and the Sikh Diaspora. Starting in 2006, Kwantlen will offer six sections per year of Sikh Studies, which will incorporate a new course, the Punjab: Religion, Society and Culture.

In light of the success of Kwantlen‘s South Asian Studies courses, Kwantlen developed an introductory Punjabi language course, which launched this fall. It was developed in response to a request from the Punjabi Language Education Association and in recognition of Surrey‘s Punjabi speaking community.

Seats in the Introductory Punjabi course were filled before the semester began, so a second section was added and also filled. Due to the high demand, Kwantlen will offer three sections in spring 2006 semester and is developing intermediate level Punjabi language courses.

Interestingly, Introductory Punjabi has drawn students from the Punjabi community and the general public, an indication that there is a cross cultural demand for diverse programming.

Also announced at Friday‘s forum was a contribution of $20,000 over two years from the BC Foundation for the Study of Sikhism, which will help the Kwantlen Library acquire new material for the study of the Punjab, Sikhism and India.

“We are impressed by the innovative programming that Kwantlen is developing and the university‘s responsiveness to the needs of the community,“ said Sandhu. “The foundation is thrilled about Kwantlen‘s commitment towards this project. We want to continue our relationship with Kwantlen and welcome the opportunity to expand Kwantlen‘s library holdings of books regarding Sikhism, the Punjab and India.“

Sandhu said the foundation is making the donation in the memory of Teja Singh, a pioneer who while completing an MA in English Literature at Harvard University helped establish the Lower Mainland‘s Sikh community during visits to BC between 1906 and 1911.

Elmes echoed Sandhu‘s interest in continuing the successful relationship between Kwantlen and the BC Foundation for the Study of Sikhism, which began four years ago.

“It is a tremendous partnership we have with the foundation,“ said Elmes. “They‘ve helped us immeasurably.“

“I think such events demonstrate Kwantlen‘s ability to be a special purpose university where it connects regional needs and community with academia,“ said Sandhu. “Such a model is very rare in traditional universities.”

Kwantlen University College‘s mission is to create an exceptional undergraduate university environment committed to preparing learners for leadership, service and success.

Kwantlen became a university college with degree granting status in 1995; and has a mandate to develop and offer baccalaureate degrees that will prepare students for well paid, fulfilling careers.

For more info, visit http://www.kwantlen.bc.ca/