PUNJABI AT SFU SURREY CENTRE
Surrey, Vancouver, July 21, 2013
Balwant Sanghera
It is great news for the well-wishers of the third most spoken language in Canada that Simon Fraser University will be offering two Punjabi classes in the fall at its Surrey campus. Two Introduction to Punjabi 1 sections –named Lang 148 will be offered as the campus begins its fall session in September, 2013. It is a special topic language course for up to 24 students each. These classes will be offered on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 12:30 to 2:20 (daytime) and Mondays and Wednesdays from 4:30 to 6:20 (evening). SFU’s Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences (FASS) has similar plans for the Spring semester. If there is sufficient interest, FASS will, in future consider re-establishing LANG 106 (Introduction to Punjabi 1) and Lang 156 (Introduction to Punjabi 2).
Punjabi Language Education Association (PLEA) is very thankful to Dr. Andrew Petter, President of SFU and his team for responding positively to our request. Also, PLEA would like to thank Herb Dhaliwal for his assistance in this regard. Representatives of PLEA met with Dr. Petter recently and had requested him to look into the possibility of offering Punjabi classes at SFU’s Surrey campus. We are pleased that our request has received favourable consideration.
In our brief presented to Dr.Petter, we have also requested SFU to look into the possibility of offering four year degree program as well as teacher training for teachers of Punjabi. Also, we have urged SFU to work with PLEA and the Punjabi community in establishing a chair in Punjabi language and literature. Initiatives like these will go a long way in promoting mutual co-operation between the Punjabi community and one of the foremost academic institutions in Canada. Moreover, Surrey being the centre of Punjabi language and culture will be an ideal location for such endeavours.
Balwant Sanghera
Chairperson,
South Asian Community Coalition Against Youth Violence
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