South Asian Studies Institute
The UFV President will appoint members to the South Asian Community Advisory Committee (SACAC). The role of the SACAC is to provide general advice to the University on the ongoing activities of the South Asian Studies Institute, the Canada-India studies program, and the work of the BC Regional Innovation Chair in Canada-India Partnership Development.
Please see the SASI Advisory Committee SACAC TOR 2018 for additional information.
Dr. Amarjit Bajwa - Chair
Profession: Orthopedic Surgeon with Distal Extremity Reconstructive Surgery ( Retired)Ex Clinical Assistant Professor Department of Orthopedics, University of British Columbia
Educational Background:
FRCS (Orthopedics) South Africa.
Fellowship Distal Extremity Reconstructive Surgery, UBC, Canada
MBBS Amritsar Punjab, India
Research: Presented and published more than 20 Scientific Research on Podium and Posters during his professional career and delivered invited guest speaker lectures in International Orthopedics Conferences and Institutions.
Leadership: Established Diabetic Foot and Ankle Clinics in Chilliwack General Hospital and Abbotsford Regional Hospital and Cancer Research Centre.
Community Interests/Involvement:
- Co-pioneer of Bajwa Dhami Building bridges Community Golf Day since 2018 and raised funds for the contribution of SASI Scholarship Endowment at UFV
- Serving on South Asian Canadian Advisory Committee (SACAC) at UFV since 2016 before becoming Chair of the SACAC in 2024
- Served as a member of the Board of Directors for Maplewood Senior Care Society (MSCS) Abbotsford from 2019 before being elected as Chair of the Board of Directors MSCS in 2021 until 2023.
- Member of the Board of Human Ethical Research Board (HERB), UFV since 2022
Hobbies: I enjoy competitive amateur Golfing, outdoor activities and community engagements
Associate Vice-President
Research and Graduate Studies
Abbotsford campus, G290J
Phone: (604) 557-4074
email Garry View profile
Profession: Dentist
Educational Background: B.D.S (India), DMD (University of Manitoba)
Community Interests and Areas of Involvement: Helping students in achieving their educational goals, educational promotion, student scholarship programs, school presentations on oral health, practicum supervision.
Profession: Teacher (retired)
Educational Background: Bachelor of Education (UBC); a Masters in Leadership Studies (UVic)
Community Interests and Areas of Involvement: Past President of the Fraser Valley Indo Canadian Business Association, volunteered with the Clearbrook Kiwanis, enhancing opportunities for youth, a committee member of the Indo Canadian Retirement and Health Care Committee.
Anita Lal
Profession: Director at Poetic Justice Foundation; Director of Operations and Inclusivity, Diversity, Equity and Accessibility at Moving Forward Family Services
Community Interests and Voluntary Work: Anita Lal, a fourth-generation settler, lives on the lands of the Semiahmoo, Katzie, Kwikwetlem, Kwantlen, Qayqayt, and Tsawwassen First Nations. Her grandmother, Thakuri Kaur Lal, instilled in her the Sikh values of seva and social justice. As co-founder of Poetic Justice Foundation, Anita creates inclusive, intersectional programming focused on addressing casteism, racism, and discrimination. She co-curated the groundbreaking anti-caste exhibit, OVERCASTE: Confront. Disrupt. Evolve. Anita serves on boards and advisories including Arts BC, Women Transforming Cities, Seva Foundation and the Punjabi Canadian Legacy Project. Inspired by Dr. Ambedkar, she believes in the power to "Educate. Agitate. Organize."
Profession: Faculty Representative
Educational Background: Ph. D. (India), MA
Faculty/Department: English
Email: Rajnish.dhawan@ufv.ca
Profession: Vice-President, Community Engagement at the University of the Fraser Valley
Educational Background: Master of Arts in Leadership (RRU) and a Bachelor of Arts in English and Political Science (UVic)
Community Interests and areas of Involvement:
Before returning home to the Fraser Valley, Susan lived in Alberta, working at the University of Calgary for 15 years. Currently pursuing a Doctorate in Social Sciences at Royal Roads University, Susan is deeply committed to working in a good way exploring wise and ethical engagement practices with Indigenous and other equity-deserving communities. Susan is a founding member of the Canadian Carnegie Classification for Community Engagement and Community Campus Engage Canada. Her extensive volunteer experience includes senior roles with groups ranging from youth organizations to the United Way. Susan is also pleased to support the Abbotsford Community Foundation and is a member of the Board of Directors.
Email: susan.midekiss@ufv.ca
Profession: Professional Agrologist
Educational Background: M. Sc (Hons) Agriculture. MBA
Community Interests and areas of Involvement:
A well-known peace and social justice activist of South Asian community who immigrated to Canada from Pakistan back in 2006. For last many years, him and his group of Progressive Pakistani Canadians took many initiatives to raise awareness about the peace and issues related to South Asian diaspora. He celebrates ‘unity in diversity’!
Email:
Profession: Working as a Staff Accountant at KPMG specialising in statutory and financial statement audits for private enterprises (ASPE).
Educational Background:
Completed his bachelors of Business Administration in accounting from the University of the Fraser Valley and currently pursuing his CPA designation from CPA Western School of Business.
Community Interests and areas of Involvement:
Helping new international students adapt to the new community and being an active advocate of south Asian community by representing its true values. He was involved with SASI as a Research Assistant during the launch of South Asian Canadian Digital Archive (SACDA).
Educational Background: Bachelor of Liberal Arts Student.
Community Interests and areas of Involvement:
Research interests: Trauma-informed Archival Practice, Attachment Theory, DBT, CBT, Emotion-focused Therapy.
Community Interests: South Asian Canadian Digital Archive (SACDA) Research Assistant, UFV Wellness Peer, Crossing Fonds Symposium 2024, UFV Toastmasters VPPR, and Sikhya Foundation (NGO) Volunteer
Email: raaynaa.madaan@student.ufv.ca
Educational Background: I am currently pursuing Bachelor of Business Administration, Major in Accounting, Minor in Financial Management, University of the Fraser Valley, Estimated Completion: June 2026
Community Interests and areas of Involvement:
Passionate about youth empowerment, education access, and economic development in South Asia. Studied for two years at Fraser Valley India before transferring to UFV Abbotsford in Fall 2024. Volunteered over 1,000 hours with the National Service Scheme and UFV India Serving Humanity Club. As an organizer of Fraser Valley India student life events for nearly a year, I fostered vibrant student engagement. Committed to promoting social responsibility and addressing key issues in South Asia through volunteerism and community work.
Email: Devyank.Gosain@student.ufv.ca
Profession: Financial Advisor
Educational Background: Bachelors in Business Administration
Community Interests and Areas of Involvement: Bharathi has been a community leader and advocate for development causes for the last 20 years. In addition to her successful financial advisory practice, she has sat on several not for profit boards in and around the community that has given her keen insight into the needs our community has to plan for in order to be successful. She strongly believes that research and open communication between stakeholders is key to moving forward in a meaningful and productive way, creating a safe and inclusive community for all.
Kanta Naik
Profession: Education Consultant Settlement Worker in Schools Liasion
Education: Masters In Education - Leadership and English Language Learning
Community Interest: Making the community a more truly inclusive place by valuing diversity and the strength it brings. Working with community partners to build knowledge around newcomers and how research and involvement can reduce barriers and improve access.
Position: Student Rep
Year: January 2019
Shan is a BBA student majoring in marketing at UFV. He worked on marketing and helping design the Sikh Heritage Museum’s “We Are Hockey” exhibit. He also worked on digital content creation for all social media platforms and the Sikh Heritage website
Profession:
Background:
Community Interests/Involvement:
Porfession: Life Insurance Advisor and Librarian
Educational Background: LLQP, Masters of Arts ( PUnjabi Litreature), Bachelor of Library and Information Science, Library Infromation and Science Diploma, Associate Certificate in Leadership and Conflict Resolution, Foundations of Effective Management and Leadership.
Community Intrests and Areas of Involvement: Education, Homelessness, Immigrants, Library, Literacy, Panjabi language and Culture
Executive Director, Advancement & Alumni Relations
University Advancement
Abbotsford campus, B230c
Profession: Publisher/Owner of the Punjabi Patrika
Profession: Manager, Commercial Banking, CIBC
Educational Background: MBA (Guelph), Continuing Studies (UBC)
Community Interests and Areas of Involvement: Community Affairs
Research Interests: Asian Studies
Profession: Admisitrative coordinator
Educational Background: BBA, University of the Fraser Valley
Community Interests and Areas of Involvement: Community Affairs
Research Interests: South Asian diaspora in canada, History and culture.
Profession: Student
Educational Background: BBA, University of the Fraser Valley
Community Interests and Areas of Involvement: Community Affairs
Research Interests: South Asian diaspora in canada, History and culture.
Profession: Lawyer, Managing Partner at Dhami Narang & Company LLP
Educational Background: Bachelor of Arts (1996); Bachelors of Law (1999)
Community Interests and Areas of Involvement: Previous Director and Vice President of Fraser Valley Indo Canadian Business Association; Past President, Abbotsford Bar Association; past Member of various committees of the Law Society of British Columbia
Research Interests: Politics and Political Systems
Profession: Businessman
Educational Background: Bachelor of Arts, Major in Economics
Community Interests and Areas of Involvement: Passion to be involved in projects and organizations building stronger societies
Research Interests: Agriculture and Economic Development
Profession: Businessman
Educational Background: BSc (UBC)
Community Interests and Areas of Involvement: Social Work, Fundraising, Cultural Philanthropy
Research Interests: Agriculture, Economy, Canada-India Business
Profession: Probation Officer, Ministry of Public Safety & Solicitor General
Educational Background: BA and MA in Criminal Justice (UFV)
Community Interests and Areas of Involvement: UFV Alumni Board, Friends of UCFV Society, South Asian Community Consultative Group
Research Interests: Youth, Women, Immigration
Profession: Semi-retired businessman, Financial Planner
Educational Background: Faculty of Science (India), Insurance and Securities Certification
Community Interests and Areas of Involvement: Rotary, Masonic Order, Fundraising, District Recreation, Boy Scouts of Canada
Research Interests: Finance and Sports
Profession: Businessman
Educational Background: Accounting
Community Interests and Areas of Involvement: Fraser Valley Crematorium Society
Profession: Banker- Branch Manager
Educational Background: MBA, Criminal Justice Certificate
Community Interests and Areas of Involvement: Abbotsford Chamber of Commerce, Abbotsford Community Foundation, BC Cancer Foundation, BC Children's Hospital Foundation-Miracle Maker, Run for Water- Abbotsford Guru Nanak Free Kitchen
Research Interests: Diversity, Human Rights, Youth, Canadian Economy and Human Potential
Profession: Notary Public
Educational Background: Urban Land Economics (UBC)
Community Interests and Areas of Involvement: Real Estate Institute of BC, Society of Notaries
Research Interests: Immigration, Real Estate and Legal
Profession: Student, President of UFV India Student Club
Profession: Student
Major: Business Administration
Community Interests: SAPNA (South Asian Peer Network Association), Pioneering History of BC
Profession: Retired Education Officer
Educational Background: BA, Teaching Certificate, MA (Pol. Science, Punjabi), PhD
Community Interests: Indo-Canadian Issues, Education