Sikh Centre scoops community initiative award

The University of Wolverhampton’s Centre for Sikh and Panjabi Studies has scooped another award when it was announced as winner of the 'Community Initiative of the Year' category at the British Sikh Awards in Birmingham. 

The Centre is multi-award winning both for its community outreach initiatives as well as its research which recently made headlines around the world after Dr Opinderjit Kaur Takhar, Director of the Centre, offered expert opinion on a casteless utopia after a Californian religious group backed a bill to ban caste discrimination.  The report appeared in nearly 300 publications. 

Three hundred of the most remarkable British Sikhs were shortlisted as finalists at the 2nd British Sikh Awards 2023 after hundreds of nominations were received from across the country. 

The awards aim to recognise a wide range of achievements from inspiring individuals. This includes those who positively impact business, charity, sport, arts, culture, religious advocacy, education and medicine among others. 

The awards showcase the strength of the British Sikh community, their impact on our culture and achievements over the last year.  Categories include Outstanding Achievement of the Year, Young Achiever of the Year and Community Initiative of the Year. 

Dr Takhar MBE said: “This award is testimony to the fact that the Centre for Sikh and Panjabi Studies works at the heart of community through its research and impact on raising awareness of issues that matter to the British Sikh community. We are supported by an active Advisory Board of key individuals who bring their skills and experience in ensuring governance of the work that is carried out.” 

A spokesperson for The British Sikh Awards 2023 said: “The British Sikh community is one to really be celebrated and talked about. They’re a community of amazing achievements, skilled entrepreneurs, business acumen, social mobility and inspiring role models who have consistently gone from strength to strength.” 

The University of Wolverhampton’s Centre for Sikh and Panjabi Studies is the first of its kind in the UK and was launched in 2018, offering PhDs and Master’s level courses in Sikh studies as well as continuing professional development (CPD) courses for teachers and managers.   

Anyone interested in courses being offered in the Faculty of Education, Health and Wellbeing should check out the website or register for one of our forthcoming Open Days.     

ENDS