The University of the Fraser Valley (UFV) is advancing its long-standing partnership with Panjab University (PU) in Chandigarh, India, building on more than 20 years of academic collaboration and exchange.
During a February visit to India, UFV President and Vice-Chancellor Dr. James Mandigo met with PU leadership to formalize the next phase of the relationship: the development of a dual degree pathway in Business Administration. The initiative reflects a continued evolution of cooperation between the two institutions and underscores UFV's commitment to transnational education grounded in quality assurance, reciprocity, and long-term academic alignment.
"This is not a new relationship," said Dr. Mandigo. "It is the continuation of a partnership that has been built over two decades through faculty exchange, joint research, and student mobility. The dual degree pathway represents the next step in that evolution."
Building on a 20-year foundation
UFV's partnership with PU began in 2004 and has included student internships, faculty exchanges, collaborative research projects, and policy dialogues. Over time, the relationship has matured from exploratory academic exchange into structured institutional collaboration, supported by UFV's South Asian Studies Institute.
The proposed dual degree pathway builds on that foundation. Students who complete two years of PU's Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) Honours degree will then have the option of studying at University of the Fraser Valley for years 3 and 4 of UFV's Bachelor of Business Administration. Upon successful completion, students will receive a degree from each of UFV and PU. The initiative aligns existing academic frameworks across institutions, allowing students to complete learning experiences recognized by both international partners.
Any required quality assurance processes will be pursued through established regulatory channels.
It is anticipated that the first cohort of Panjab University dual degree students will enter UFV for Fall 2027, reflecting the time required to responsibly design and implement the academic framework.
A broader Canada-India engagement
Dr. Mandigo's visit to Chandigarh followed participation in a Universities Canada presidential mission to India, after which he remained engaged in Northern India to continue strengthening UFV's long-standing relationships.
During the visit, Dr. Mandigo delivered a valedictory address at the Punjab Science Congress about UFVs One Health initiative, recognized student award winners from UFVs pathway program at Fraser Valley India, participated in the graduation ceremony of students from the Mehar Baba Charitable Trust in support of fostering employment skills amongst girls and young women in rural India, and met with academic leaders across the region to explore future areas of collaboration.
The Canadian High Commissioner to India expressed support for structured dual degree models and continued academic cooperation between Canadian and Indian institutions.
At a time when Canada is examining how to strengthen its research capacity, talent development, and economic resilience, international partnerships rooted in trust and quality play an important role. UFV's evolving collaboration with Panjab University reflects that broader institutional responsibility contributing to innovation ecosystems, global competitiveness, and people-to-people connections that extend beyond student mobility.
"These partnerships are about relationships first," said Mandigo. "They are built on trust, academic integrity, and shared values. Student mobility is one dimension, but the deeper goal is sustained academic collaboration between British Columbia and Punjab."
Looking ahead
The February visit marked both a continuation and an evolution rooted in a 20-year history and oriented toward responsible, reciprocal and long-term collaboration between UFV and its partners in Northern India.
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