His Honour's honour a first for NorQuest
Judge Gurcharan Singh Bhatia conferred College's inaugural Honorary Diploma
NorQuest College conferred its first Honorary Diploma to Judge Gurcharan Singh Bhatia at the spring Convocation Ceremony at the Winspear Centre.
"NorQuest College has been privileged to work with Judge Bhatia for several years. He is a cherished guest at our annual Canada Day celebrations," says Dr. Jodi L. Abbott, President and CEO of NorQuest. "We are proud to honour his contributions to Canadian society."
The Honorary Diploma recognizes distinguished citizens who have made an outstanding and significant contribution to NorQuest, the communities the College serves, or who have demonstrated excellence in the values and/or mission of the College.
At NorQuest, he sponsors the Judge Bhatia Citizenship Award, which is awarded to five students annually. Award recipients are newcomers to Canada who demonstrate leadership and display all the attributes of a good Canadian citizen, including being helpful, courteous and hard-working.
Since his arrival to Canada 48 years ago, Judge Bhatia has embraced many of NorQuest's values. He is a role model for the College's mission of inspiring lifelong learning.
"Responsible citizenship starts with literacy and education. NorQuest College, in addition to educating heads and hands, enlightens minds and illuminates hearts by promoting Canadian values," Judge Bhatia says.
Judge Bhatia upholds NorQuest's values of growth and innovation through his work in strengthening Canada's multicultural community. He was pivotal in developing networks amongst diverse communities and cultures through journalism, specifically as founder, editor and publisher of Canadian Link, a national multicultural newspaper. He also helped found the Mahatma Gandhi Canadian Foundation for World Peace and the Multicultural Media Association.
Now retired, Judge Bhatia spent six years as a citizenship judge in the Court of Canadian Citizenship. Prior to that, he spent six years as a member of the Canadian Human Rights Commission. He still presides over citizenship ceremonies on occasion as a volunteer.
In 1997, Judge Bhatia received Order of Canada and in 1999 he received a Citation Award from the City of Edmonton for his contribution to multiculturalism and community service.
Judge Bhatia now devotes his time as president of the International Association of Citizens for a Civil Society, an international non-profit organization that promotes the development of a civil society through responsible citizenship.
