Signing of MOU at Cambridge , between University of Cambridge & Shromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SHPC)
Tuesday 21 st July 2009 was a momentous day in SGPC's 84 year history, when with surprising but much welcome foresight SGPC proceeded to sign an MOU with University of Cambridge , which will enable up to five outstanding Sikh students to pursue Masters degree or PhD at Cambridge in subjects relevant to the development of higher education in Punjab .
In keeping with Sikh Code of Conduct, the signing was preceded by a religious service in the Trinity Hall. In this respect, on this historic occasion, Gurdwara Sri Guru Singh Sabha Hounslow was honoured to have been entrusted with providing this service as a prelude to the signing of Memorandum of Understanding. The service, conducted in the presence of Sri Guru Granth Sahib, included the reading of Sukhmani Sahib Paath by Bhai Joginder Singh, kirtan by Bhai Karnai Singh, Bhai Balbir Singh and Bhai Jagtar Singh followed by Ardass (prayer) to seek Guru Ji's blessings and spiritual guidance.
Following the religious service, the guests proceeded from the Trinity Hall to the Vice-Chancellor's office, where in welcoming everyone present, Professor Alison Richard, the University Vice-Chancellor, also added that she was looking forward to welcoming the Sikh students and the richness they would bring to the university community. The Vice-Chancellor also acknowledged and felt honoured at the first visit of Sri Guru Granth Sahib to the University in its 800 years history.
The signing of the Memorandum of Understanding between Avtar Singh Makkar, President of SGPC ( Amritsar ), and Michael O'Sullivan, Director of the Cambridge Commonwealth Trust (CCT) was witnessed by the University Vice-Chancellor, Professor Alison Richard, with the ceremony being carried out in the presence of all the invited guests.
For those who may not be aware, Cambridge Commonwealth Trust is a charity established in 1982, with the purpose of enabling outstanding international students from the Commonwealth countries to study at the University of Cambridge . The Director of CCT expressed his gratitude to Inderjit (Indi) Seehra, the University's Human Resource Director for effecting introduction to SGPC and for facilitating the event in Cambridge .
Avtar Singh Makkar congratulated the University on its 800 th year and its success in producing intellectual leaders and thinkers and looked forward to doors opening for outstanding Sikh students in Cambridge , who would subsequently return to their native country to work and promote education there at all levels.
On behalf of Gurdwara Sri Guru Singh Sabha Hounslow and its congregation and on behalf of all Sikhs we are indebted to Inderjit Seehra at the initiative he had taken and been successful in convincing the SGPC to respond positively to the approach from University of Cambridge . We hope that this welcome opportunity is not squandered and pray that those empowered to deliver this project will be blessed by Guru Ji with wisdom, intellect and impartiality when acting upon the agreement with the University.
Following the signing of MOU, Avtar Singh Makkar held a fringe meeting with the Sikhs present, where the President acknowledge SGPC's past shortcomings but was now fully focussed on education. In this respect the President also mentioned that many resources were being invested in establishing new institutions and upgrading the existing. Measurers were also being taken to prevent the further undermining and destruction of Sikh heritage.
In this new found enterprising vitality within the SGPC, it is also hoped that the resources provided to Gurdwaras' under SGPC management are reviewed, re-establishing Sikh Gurdwara's as avenues for promoting Gurus' teachings and Sikh values. Such an initiative will surely revive the original concept for a Gurdwara, reinforcing these places as spiritual, educational and sporting centres, with every Gurdwara imparting education within a religious environment.
For further information or clarification please contact Mohan Singh Nayyar , 07958 520928