Members of Calgary’s vibrant Sikh community, alongside academics and university representatives, gathered at the Empire Banquet Hall on Sunday to celebrate and advance the Sikh Studies program at the University of Calgary. The fundraising gala highlighted the program's significant achievements and outlined an ambitious vision for its future, including the establishment of a world-class research chair.
The program, described as a community co-created initiative, has grown substantially since its inception. What began with an initial standalone gift in 2016 gained major momentum through a successful “Giving Day” campaign in 2021, demonstrating the powerful partnership between the community and the university.
Cathy Billington, development director for the Faculty of Arts at the University of Calgary, detailed the remarkable impact of the community's support, which has been amplified by matching funds from the university. The collaboration has already yielded impressive results.
A community-driven success
The success of the fundraising efforts has also led to the creation of the Sikh Studies Endowment Fund, which supports the program's ongoing expansion. In a significant vote of confidence stemming from this robust community backing, the university has committed to making the four-year limited-term professorship a permanent faculty position dedicated to Sikh Studies.
Thanks to the community support paired with matching funds from the University of Calgary, we’ve been able to establish six courses in Sikh Studies at the University of Calgary, fund a four-year limited-term professorship dedicated to Sikh Studies. This has impacted over 500 students at the university, had dozens of community events and five community research-based initiatives as well.
For students, the program offers a vital platform for representation and identity. Sikhism is the third-largest religion in Calgary, according to Statistics Canada's 2021 census, and the program provides an academic space that reflects the city's diverse fabric.
Manvir Kaur Sidhu, a Sikh Studies student, said the program provides a crucial opportunity “to learn more about our ancestry, and share it with other people in our classes.” She noted that courses are consistently over-enrolled, a testament to the high level of interest.
Fellow student Harveen Kaur Toor emphasized the program's role in promoting the multiculturalism that Canada prides itself on. “We’re trying to build that same multiculturalism through Sikh studies, and I think it’s a great initiative,” Toor said. The program gives Sikh students a tangible identity within the university, enriching the campus environment for everyone.
Future goals and a world-class vision
With a permanent professorship secured, the program's supporters have set their sights on an even more ambitious goal: establishing an endowed Sikh Studies Research Chair. This would create a prestigious, permanently funded position for a top scholar, cementing Calgary as a leading centre for Sikh academic research.
“This is a rare opportunity to establish a world-class Sikh Studies chair right here in Calgary,” said Jaskaran Sandhu, a member of the Sikh Studies community advisory council. “It would create a space to research, share, and elevate Sikh history and contributions while strengthening cultural understanding across communities.”
Billington confirmed that the university continues to welcome community feedback through advisory positions, ensuring the program remains deeply connected to the people it represents. Such community involvement is seen as essential for guiding the program's direction, similar to other educational ventures in the city, like the ecotourism course at Mount Royal University.
Building bridges through education
Former city councillor and current Calgary-Skyview MP George Chahal, who was present at the gala, spoke about the program's importance for all Canadians. He praised the community for its hard work in bringing the initiative forward, framing the event as a day for both recognition and future investment.
As a Calgarian raised in the Sikh community, Chahal highlighted the principle of ‘Sarbat da Bhala,’ which translates to “doing it for everyone.” He explained that this ethos drives the community to work together to build a stronger city and nation.
“We come together as a community, so the Sikh community is a community here in Canada, but we’re Canadians,” Chahal said. He noted that the academic program offers a unique opportunity for anyone interested in the Sikh faith to learn more, fostering cross-cultural understanding. This mirrors broader trends where civic leaders praise budgetary support for key projects that benefit the entire community, as seen in other Canadian municipalities. For instance, Brampton's mayor recently lauded provincial funding for significant local developments.
The expansion comes at a time when many young Calgarians are navigating a competitive job market, where specialized knowledge and cultural literacy are increasingly valuable. The continued growth of the Sikh Studies program represents not just an academic achievement but an investment in the social and cultural capital of the city.
Looking forward, the establishment of an endowed research chair remains the ultimate objective, a move that would permanently anchor Sikh Studies within the academic landscape of Western Canada and create a lasting legacy of scholarship and community partnership.
