Khalsa College and Wolverhampton University to Join hands for Punjabi Studies

Amritsar, Feb. 14 (Punjab Post Bureau) – The historic Khalsa College and University of Wolverhampton, United Kingdom, will join hands to promote research in history of the Sikhism and Punjabi language. The two institution of higher learning will share their experiences and expertise in the respective fields to collaborate for empirical studies and promotion of the cohesive culture of Punjab. This was decided during the preliminary discussion held today between functionaries of the Khalsa College Governing Council (KCGC) and the Vice Chancellor of University of Wolverhampton Professor Geoff Layer who visited the heritage campus and met KCGC honourary secretary Rajinder Mohan Singh Chhina and joint secretary Gunbir Singh.  Khalsa University vice chancellor Dr. Gurmohan Singh Walia, Director of Centre for Sikh and Panjabi Studies, University of Wolverhampton, Dr Opinderjit Kaur Takhar and Professor Amanpreet Singh Gill from Delhi University were also present during the meeting today.

Prof. Layer said he was overwhelmed to visit the newly inaugurated Sikh History Research Centre at the College and they wanted collaboration as their University has also set up Centre for Sikh and Panjabi Studies which is first of its kind in the UK.  “We wish to link with Indian Institutions to collaborate on a number of program we could undertake jointly”, said Prof. Layer adding that the Centre for Sikh and Panjabi Studies has a number of public events planned, as well as a major International Sikh Studies Conference in September 2019 to mark the 550th Gurpurab of Guru Nanak Dev ji. He said the overarching vision of the Centre for Sikh and Panjabi Studies is to position itself as an internationally recognised hub which acts as a centre of excellence for matters relating to the Sikh and Panjabi Community in the UK. “Its remit will extend beyond academia and position Sikh and Panjabi Studies on the global platform by raising awareness, sharing knowledge and increasing profile with key stakeholders and influencers”, said he. Chhina said the Khalsa College also has similar vision and thus they will support any mission that envisages the promotion of Punjabi Culture and History. Gunbir Singh said there are possibilities of cultural understanding and community cohesion and the two institutions can join hands in future for carrying out such pursuits.