The Centre for Indo-Canadian Studies at University of the Fraser Valley has been rebranded as the South Asian Studies Institute (SASI).
Centre director Satwinder Bains announced the name change at a celebration marking the centre’s first decade on May 3.
“As we enter our second decade, we felt it was important for our identity to reflect the broader field of South Asian studies,” Bains said.
“This will result in increased opportunities for UFV faculty and students to connect and collaborate with partner institutions and projects throughout South Asia. We will continue the very important work of facilitating research and other connections, but with a wider mandate.”
The centre has served as a hub where scholars from UFV programs, Indo-Canadian community members, groups from all sectors of the community, international visitors, students, and scholars from India/South Asia come together.
SASI initiates and supports an interdisciplinary range of courses in India-Canada Studies at UFV, and programs and activities that promote the study of, and engagement with, the sub-continent and the Indo-Canadian diaspora.
It also houses the BC Regional Innovation Chair on Canada–India Partnership Development, and maintains a close relationship with the UFV campus in Chandigarh, India.
In the past 10 years, the centre has undertaken many research projects, created a program of study, supported and mentored student research, and partnered with universities in India.
The centre has also held international conferences, invited visiting scholars from around the world, curated acclaimed exhibits, and developed business ties with India.
It also serves as a repository of history for the Indo-Canadian community.
It has partnered with the Gur Sikh Temple National Historic Site on several projects, and is currently working with the Royal British Columbia Museum to ensure that the Indo-Canadian story is reflected in museum exhibits chronicling the history of B.C.
The Abbotsford area has one of the largest concentrations of Indo-Canadian people in Canada. Starting in the early 2000s, UFV and the community worked together to build a stronger connection through the creation of the centre.
In April 2005, after several years of fundraising and planning on the part of UFV and the Indo-Canadian community, then-Premier Gordon Campbell announced the centre’s launch. It began operations in 2006, completing its first academic year of service in 2007.
Contact Satwinder Bains at satwinder.bains@ufv.ca to discuss potential projects and partnerships.