From left: Krishan Mehta, vice-president, university advancement and alumni relations; Roberta Iannacito-Provenzano, provost and vice-president, academic; Remy Babra, Surjit Babra, chairman and CEO, SkyLink Capital Corp.; Mohamed Lachemi, president and vice-chancellor; and Dr. Teresa Chan, dean, School of Medicine and vice-president, medical affairs.
The Babra family. From left: Manpreet, Surjit, Remy, Gagandeep and Pritpal.
Following fast on the news of the MD program's accreditation, TMU's School of Medicine is delighted to announce that Surjit and Remy Babra have donated $1 million to help establish the new school in Brampton. The first million-dollar gift to the new School of Medicine comes with Babra's recognition that it will contribute to addressing the shortage of primary care physicians in Ontario. Currently 2.3 million Ontarians do not have a regular primary care provider.
"I believe everyone has the right to a doctor," said Surjit Babra. "With our aging population and a limited number of new doctors, investing in medical students is crucial."
Born in India, and raised there and in Kenya, Surjit Babra grew up witnessing his parents' generosity. Babra says this spirit of giving, rooted in his Sikh faith, has guided him throughout his 50-plus years as a successful serial entrepreneur. As chairman and CEO of SkyLink Capital Corp., he continues to uphold these charitable principles to improve the lives of others. "I am blessed to have earned the money to give and I'm blessed to have the will to give," said Babra.
"Surjit and Remy have identified a vital need in our communities, and I am grateful for their partnership in addressing it," said Mohamed Lachemi, president and vice-chancellor of TMU. "Their investment will support a new generation of doctors who are culturally aware, technologically adept, and prepared to transform our health-care system."
"I'm grateful to Canada for the opportunity to succeed here, and it's important for me to give back," said Babra. "In giving, we receive there is pleasure in giving."
For his generosity and public service Babra has received numerous accolades, including the Mother Teresa Humanitarian Award and the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal. His SkyLink Children's Charity has championed children's causes in Canada, India, Haiti and beyond.
The Babra family's generous contribution to TMU's School of Medicine will be recognized with the creation of the Surjit and Remy Babra Classroom. This 125-seat Active Learning Classroom the largest in the School of Medicine is designed to foster innovative, engaging and interactive learning experiences.
Babra adds that the Surjit and Remy Babra Classroom will "enable students to learn more collaboratively and enhance the exchange of knowledge. You don't only learn from professors; you learn from colleagues and everyone around you like I have throughout my career."
The School of Medicine at Toronto Metropolitan University opens in July 2025.
