“On the recommendation of the undersigned, the Lieutenant Governor, by and with the advice and consent of the Executive Council, orders that, effective July 31, 2018, Balwant Singh Sanghera is appointed as a member of the board of the British Columbia Institute of Technology for a term ending July 31, 2019,” reads the official Order in Council. Sanghera told DESIBUZZCanada he is honoured to receive the coveted appointment. “Indeed it is a great honour for me and I am looking forward to serving on the BCIT Board of Governors," he said.

By R. Paul Dhillon – DESIBUZZCanada Founder-Editor

VANCOUVER – Indo-Canadian community activist Balwant Sanghera has been appointed to the Board of Governors of BCIT.

Melanie Mark, Minister of Advanced Education, made the appointment and informed Sanghera in an official letter this week.

“I am pleased to confirm your appointment as a member of the Board of the British Columbia Institute of Technology, effective July 31, 2018, for a term ending July 31, 2019,” Mark wrote to Sanghera.

 

 

“The Board has a leadership role in our post-secondary education institutions that is integral to the success of the British Columbia post-secondary education system. In agreeing to serve, you will be performing a valuable service to your Province.”

“On the recommendation of the undersigned, the Lieutenant Governor, by and with the advice and consent of the Executive Council, orders that, effective July 31, 2018, Balwant Singh Sanghera is appointed as a member of the board of the British Columbia Institute of Technology for a term ending July 31, 2019,” reads the official Order in Council.

Sanghera told DESIBUZZCanada he is honoured to receive the coveted appointment. “Indeed it is a great honour for me and I am looking forward to serving on the BCIT Board of Governors," he said.

Born in India, Balwant Sanghera moved to B.C. in 1966 where he has become a well-respected multicultural advocate, and a bridge builder between communities and generations.

After a teaching career, Sanghera received his Master of Education from UBC and in 1990 became a school psychologist with the Burnaby School District. He developed an educational program for the Maples Adolescent Centre, which serves the province’s most difficult adolescents with mental health and behavioural problems. He has mentored and fostered similar programs province wide.

Sanghera’s leadership has resulted in positive outcomes to many issues facing Richmond’s new Canadians. He is currently president of both the Richmond Multicultural Concerns Society and the Punjabi Language Education Association of British Columbia. He is chair of Richmond’s Intercultural Advisory Committee, vice president of the East Richmond Community Association and a long-time organizer of Multi-Fest, a summer festival to celebrate Richmond’s diversity.

Sanghera is a superb role model for Indo-Canadian youth. He organized an important forum in February 2003 directed at preventing youth violence in the Indo-Canadian community. He is also a regular contributor to community newspapers, TV and radio, promoting youth and multicultural issues.

Sanghera is a former Board Member of the College of Naturopathic Physicians of British Columbia, and is a member of the Advisory Board for NOW Television. Past positions include senator of Simon Fraser University and chair of the Committee of Ombudspersons of the BC Teachers’ Federation.

In 2002, Sanghera was awarded the Queen’s Golden Jubilee Medal.