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Four new members have been appointed to the Simon Fraser University India Advisory Council.

They are: Robin Dhir, vice-president, business development for Twin Brook Developments Ltd, Gary Pooni, president of Brook+ Associates, Sandra Garossino, founder of the House of Parlance Media, and former Attorney-General Wally Oppal.

“I welcome these new members as they bring new energy, ideas and enhance SFU's role in building stronger links with India,” says council co-chair Arun Garg. “SFU is providing leadership in engaging India through its many programs and the council is an important link in supporting these programs.”

“I would like to acknowledge the important leadership provided by Arun Garg and others from the Indo-Canadian community,” adds SFU president Michael Stevenson, who co-chairs the council with Garg.

“The new advisory council members clearly strengthen our relationship with the community and provide invaluable input into SFU's developing relationship with India.”

The council is comprised of those with ties to and interests in the South Asian community and meets twice annually to address local community needs. In 2007 the council partnered with the City of Surrey and its Board of Trade and other community groups to hold its first South Asian festival.

Background on new appointees

• An SFU alumnus, Dhir is an active volunteer, community contributor and fundraiser for many organizations in the South Asian community as well as other B.C. organizations and institutions, including BC Children’s Hospital. The Vancouver Sun named him among B.C.’s 100 Most Influential Indo-Canadians.
• Active in the development community, Pooni (also an SFU alumnus) is a member of the Urban Development Institute (UDI) and also serves as director of the B.C. based Indo-Canadian Friendship Society (ICFS), which works to ensure that people in Punjab, India have access to clean water and infrastructure. Business in Vancouver chose Pooni, also an SFU grad, as a Top 40 under 40 award recipient in 2009.
• Garossino is founder of the House of Parlance Media, a Vancouver-based publishing and media company specializing in street art and all things alternative. Trained as a lawyer, she has a wide-ranging background in the corporate arena through her legal experience, business enterprises and asset management. Among her found talent is Canadian poet Shane Koyczan, whose poem was recited at the Olympics’ opening ceremony.
• A lawyer and former B.C. Supreme Court judge, Oppal first ran for the B.C. Liberals and was elected in 2005 in the riding of Vancouver-Fraserview, where he was born. He later ran in the riding of Delta South and was narrowly defeated after a recount. Oppal is recognized as a community leader who has dedicated his life to improving social justice and community safety.

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