Role
Member
Title
Lecturer, Punjabi Language and Culture, Department of Asian Studies, University of British Columbia
Region
Surrey, BC, Canada
Born and raised in Leamington Spa, England, Gurinder grew up surrounded by UK Bhangra Bands, which further fueled his innate passion for Punjabi culture. He completed his Bachelor’s degree at the University of British Columbia, where he later returned to earn a Master’s degree in Asian Studies. He has a vast interest in romantic folktales (qisse) written in poetic form. He is particularly fascinated with the story of Heer Ranjha, on which he completed his thesis. Besides his excellence in Punjabi language, literature, and culture, Gurinder is highly knowledgeable in Hindi-Urdu language as well as South Asian Film and has taught courses in those areas at the University of British Columbia. In 2020 he earned the Lecturer of the Year Award in the Department of Asian Studies.
Gurinder also possesses a Master’s degree in Applied Legal Studies and is an expert in the fields of justice, law, and crime prevention. In addition to serving as executive director for a community justice organization, he spent six years in the field of intelligence for the Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit of BC (CFSEU-BC), formerly known as the Organized Crime Agency of BC. His professional accolades led to instructing aspiring law enforcement officers at the Justice Institute of British Columbia and Douglas College. He regularly appears on Punjabi radio shows and news, educating the Punjabi community on justice and law enforcement.
A poet himself, Gurinder has been writing for many years, and hopes to publish his book soon.
