Kwantlen Polytechnic University

Making the Grade

Today, more than any other time in history, a university education matters,” says Kwantlen Polytechnic University president Dr. David Atkinson. It’s a message he hopes will reach South Asians — particularly in Surrey — where Kwantlen’s main campus resides and where the enrollment of South Asian youth in universities is lower than in other regions.

While no reliable data has been collected to date Atkinson says anecdotal information from educators and community agencies who work with South Asian families and youth suggests South Asian youth in Surrey are among the least likely to attend university.

More research needs to be done, he says.

“What we do know is that, across the country, children of South Asian immigrants are far more likely to obtain a university education than the children of Canadian-born parents and this is not the case in Surrey,” he says, citing Statistics Canada figures from 2008.

“Canada is considered a land of opportunity so it is always troubling for me to hear that the youth may not be taking advantage of the opportunities that a good education has to offer,” says KPU Chancellor Arvinder Bubber, who in 2008 became the first South Asian in Canada to be named chancellor of a Canadian university.

With Kwantlen’s strengthening relationship with the South Asian community, the programs it offers and its location in Surrey, Bubber feels KPU is a great choice for prospective students, particularly South Asians.

“The class sizes are smaller and the faculty is committed to providing a learning environment that is supportive of students. Smaller class sizes offer a better learning environment than larger, more impersonal ones,” says Bubber. “It is also true that role models and seeing people of one’s own background in a school or work environment plays an important part in making students feel comfortable. KPU has students, faculty and administrators of South Asian descent, as well as a number of student clubs (Giddha, Bhangra, etc.), which may make potential students feel welcome.”

For the past several years Kwantlen has been increasingly directing recruiting efforts towards South Asians, including adding programs and degrees that may be of interest to them.

“Throughout our 30 years history, KPU has always been an institution that responds to community needs. Engagement with the South Asian community started when Kwantlen was formed and, as we grew into a university, this community engagement remained an integral part of our mission and mandate,” says Atkinson.

With more businesses taking more interest in the South Asian population, that engagement is that much more important.

“It is KPU’s responsibility to make sure the gaps between community needs and industry needs are bridged,” he says, adding that increasing enrollment and providing unique programs, such as the new degree in Asian Studies, are some of the ways KPU can prepare students to enrich their community and take advantage of new opportunities.

KPU actively recruits South Asian students through high schools, the community and a variety of publications, he explains. “We are also a major sponsor of the BC High School Bhangra competition and a supporter of many initiatives in the South Asian community,” says Atkinson.”

Jas Sandhu, who completed a criminology diploma in 1996 at Kwantlen before going on to earn a BA in Psychology at SFU and an M.Ed in Counselling Psychology at UBC, says Kwantlen’s commitment to the South Asian community stands apart from many other educational institutions.

“Kwantlen has made a genuine effort in connecting with and supporting the South Asian community. I have seen many South Asian groups across North America lobby for South Asian programming in different universities, which usually resulted in the community having to raise funds to establish a program,” he says, adding that’s not the case with Kwantlen.

“Kwantlen is aware of the contributions that South Asians have made in Canada for the past 100-plus years and took the lead in creating South Asian programming to enhance student learning experiences and to address the needs of the region that it serves,” says Sandhu.

Sandhu, a Surrey-based counsellor, feels post secondary education is a time for many young people to explore their roots.

“Kwantlen is an excellent choice for South Asian students since the curriculum includes a variety of courses pertaining to South Asian culture, history and language. Students of South Asian backgrounds will not feel excluded from the campus community, but validated since their cultural histories are worthy of academic inquiry,” he says.

Of his own experience Sandhu says he benefited from Kwantlen’s small class sizes and accessibility of faculty members and felt the intimate campus spaces fostered a caring campus community.

“I entered Kwantlen as a mature student at age 21. Kwantlen offered excellent support in helping me explore my academic options. Their student-centred approach was invaluable given that I did not have the guidance at home to pursue post-secondary education.”

Preet Bal graduated from Kwantlen in 2008 after completing the two-year Environmental Protection Technology diploma.

“To further my environmental education I really wanted to pursue a hands-on program. [Kwantlen’s] EPT program was exactly that — it gave me concrete skills and relevant aptitude. I was able to apply my learning immediately upon graduation,” she says.

“As a Kwantlen student I knew that I was job-ready. That was really important to me. As well, Kwantlen and the Faculty of the EPT program provided challenges and rewarded students when those peaks were reached.

“I am very happy with the time I spent in the EPT program and the people I met at Kwantlen.”

Shanay Sangha, who is currently studying at Kwantlen, says she chose Kwantlen because she was offered a spot on the university’s soccer squad.

“After I was offered an incentive to play on the team, I realized Kwantlen also supported me academically as well, because they are a university and have the BBA in Human Resources Management. Other schools just didn’t compare after that.

“They offer the degree I want with smaller class sizes and hands-on experience. I think that more students will succeed at Kwantlen because they will receive more attention from very knowledgeable and experienced professors. Being recognized as a university hopefully allows the school to be taken more seriously.”

Dr. Gira Bhatt, who joined Kwantlen’s faculty of psychology in 2003, says the recognition of Kwantlen as a university is a significant step forward that opens many doors.

“We are now eligible for most of the federal and provincial research funds. We are also on the national map of Canadian universities,” she says, adding that the pride and joy that accompany the new status cannot be measured.

“As for students, this is a huge uplift. Going to graduate schools, applying for jobs, etc. are very positively impacted when their resumes include a degree from a recognized full university,” she says.

Joining the faculty at Kwantlen has been a career high, she says, allowing her to pursue her two career passions: teaching and applied research. Bhatt is currently principal investigator and project director for the Acting Together research project, a $1-million project funded by a Community University Research Alliance award granted by the federal Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC).

“Kwantlen is very well-situated and has provided tremendous opportunities for growth in the applied areas,” she says.

“Some of our faculty members are actively engaged in research and health projects involving the South Asian community. One of my honors students, for example, conducted his research on intergenerational issues involving selection of marriage partners — ‘arranged’ or ‘love/self chosen,’” she says.

Kwantlen is also launching a new applied degree in Asian studies and has a highly regarded horticulture program that has received lot of support from the agricultural community, which includes many South Asians, she explains.

“Kwantlen is a learner-centred, student-focused academic institution. Its commitment to maintain small class sizes allows me to connect with my students at a personal level. I know my students by their names and I can commend them individually when they shine or reach out to them should I sense them falling behind in their academic goals,” she says.

Kwantlen also has a very positive approach to cultural diversity and engages the South Asian community on many levels directly and indirectly, says Bhatt.

“A certain openness that Kwantlen has created has earned it awards for its postiive approach to cultural diversity. Kwantlen provides a very positive learning environment to all students from all cultural backgrounds,” she says.

See also:

Q&A with Dr. Kamal Naya

Q&A with Dr. Gira Bhatt