By Hardam Maan
Guru Nanak Institute of Global Studies organized an International Sikh Research Summit at Surrey City Hall Surrey this week.
The summit was accomplished in two days which included academic sessions as well as concurrent panel’s discussions focusing on current issues and challenges of globalization in Gurbani.
This Summit took place offline and online and was attended by more than 300 participants. Within the theme of summit 13 subjects were presented in various academic sessions by international scholars.
This Summit started with Ardas and acknowledgment by indigenous people followed by a welcome address by Dr. Kamaljit Kaur Sidhu director of GNI.
Dr. Baljeet Singh (University of Saskatchewan) delivered a thought provoking keynote address providing insight on how growth and expansion of new institution .
Dr. Nabila Rahman, a renowned scholar from West Punjab and Vice Chancellor of the University of Jhang, read her research paper on ‘Multilingualism, Cultural Diversity and Sri Guru Granth Sahib’.
Dr. Harjinder Singh Sandhu based his research paper on ‘Impacts of Artificial Intelligence (AI), Academia, Research and Sikhi’. Dr. Satveer Singh talked about ‘Granthis in Gurdwara: Challenges and opportunities’ and Dr. Gurmail Singh presented research papers on ‘Gurbani Arth Milaan, Impacts and Opportunities’.
Through three different panels, experts discussed ‘Challenges facing international students in Canada’, ‘Sikh and indigenous Elders: keeping the ethos alive’ and ‘Mental health and Sikhi’. Dr. Satpal Singh briefly presented his views on the research papers presented in the summit on the first day.
The second day started with welcoming remarks from BC’s former Deputy Education Minister, Dr. David Byng. He appreciated GNI’s significant achievement in the academic field. Dr
. Sharanjit Kaur Sandhra read a research paper on ‘Sikh Diaspora and Networks of Risistance’. Dr. Tarunjit Singh Butalia shared his brilliant perspective on the integration of Charda and Lehnda Punjab and through his experience how technology and social media can be used to unite people.
Dr. Paramjit Kaur through her research paper defined Sikhi and its essence and highlighted the relevance, relevance and innovation of Sikhi in the modern world. Dr. Akhtar Hussain Sandhu talked about the Kartarpur Corridor being a symbol of peace and unity between India and Pakistan and gave information about the coming into existence of this corridor.
Dr. Mohinder Kaur Grewal, talked about Sikh women from Gurbani, historical perspective and present perspective, described the contribution of Guru Mahal and Sikh Bahadur women and the practical achievement of women’s social rights in the modern world.
Dr. Tejinder Pal Singh presented a theoretical and practical view of spiritual love in Gurbani. He shared five points to transform worldly love into spiritual love.
Mohnaam Kaur Shergill identified the challenges and motivations of the Sikh youth in today’s world and presented important ideas to connect the youth with their Sikh roots and particularly highlighted the challenges faced by young women in this regard.
Finally, Dr. Manpreet Kaur Sahota shared her perspective on Sikhs in the multicultural country of Canada under the Minority Narrative Model. Three panels on the second day saw dialogues by various experts on ‘Substance use and a Toxic drug supply’, ‘Empowering young researchers and scholars’, and ‘Networking room’.
In the end, Gian Singh Sandhu, President and CEO of Guru Nanak Institute of Global Studies, shared his thoughts about the past, present, and future of the institute.
He said that this institution is a non-profit post-secondary educational and research institution established in Canada, which is recognized by the Private Training Institute Branch of the Ministry of Post Secondary Education and Future Skills. It has a dedicated international team of 115 academics and expert professionals.
In this, with a very small fee, students can get an education from very high-quality professors, and currently 60 percent of students are getting scholarships. He gave information about the diploma and certificate courses being run by the institute and told about the courses being started in the future. He said that our aim is to promote the coexistence of cultural diversity as well as Sikhism through research, education and service. He also said that his vision is to create a university that is comparable to the leading educational institutions of the world.
Due to the hard work, dedication, foresight and efforts of Gian Singh Sandhu, Dr. Kamaljit Kaur Sidhu, Amanpreet Singh Hundal, Gurjit Kaur Bains, Jaswinder Singh Parmar, Dr. Jatinder Singh Ball, and the entire team of the organization, two day International Sikh Research summit was extremely successful in creating a new history in Canada.
Prime Minister of Canada Justin Trudeau, B.C. Premier David Eby and Brenda Locke mayor of City of Surrey were sent Congratulatory messages for this summit. Former Federal Minister Navdeep Singh Bains, Member of Parliament Sukh Dhaliwal and Randeep Singh Sarai, B.C. Minister of Labor Harry Bains, Minister of Education and Child Care Dr. Rachna Singh, and B.C. United President Kevin Falcon attended the summit and wished the organizers of the summit.
