The B.C. NDP is pledging to create a role for a Punjabi language and pedagogy professor at Simon Fraser University.
Kan Sandhu, founding member and past-president of the Indo-Canadian Business Association of BC (ICBABC) and coordinator for SFU’s Punjabi language program, said he is happy to see the B.C. NDP promise to move forward with creating the role.
“SFU has a diverse curriculum, and enhancing this curriculum will improve the student experience for students of all backgrounds. This decision will have long-lasting positive impacts for the student body and Indo-Canadian communities across B.C.," he said.
Sandhu met with B.C. NDP leader David Eby a few months ago to discuss the idea.
"We had SFU make up a proposal, what the total would be," he said.
After forwarding to the premier and some back-and-forth, it was approved.
"I'm very happy that NDP has proposed it as part of their platform, but by the same token, I'm going to make sure that we hold them to it, that if they do form the government," Sandhu said. "I only wish that this proposal from SFU had come earlier."
He said this is now a "promise to do" if the B.C. NDP gets re-elected.
He added that, although he had not spoken to leaders from other parties in B.C., he hopes that if another party is elected, they will also help create the role.
"Establishing a professorship in Punjabi language and pedagogy will ensure that Punjabi language learning becomes an integral part of SFU’s curriculum, actively contributing to Punjabi language and cultural heritage preservation," reads a B.C. NDP release Friday (Oct. 5).
The Surrey Now-Leader has reached out to the Conservative Party of B.C. and the B.C. Green Party for comment.
