Driving Cultural Justice and Inclusion, So That We All May Flourish
Q & A with Sultan Singh Sandur, Master of Education, Thompson Rivers University
Recipient of the 2019 Premier’s International Scholarship, Sultan Singh Sandur is currently pursuing his Master of Education (MEd) at Thompson Rivers University (TRU) in Kamloops, BC. A digital content creator whose life has consistently been centered around art, Sultan’s current research activities include a gender diversity and inclusion project with TRU Recreation as well as an a/r/tography project with Universidad de La Sabana in Colombia, where he will study for two terms in early 2020.
Sultan’s research interests include exploring innovative student-centered approaches to pedagogy and examining concepts of power, privilege and inclusion. Challenging society’s current engagement with the deficit ideology gets Sultan super fired up — and he is ready for the task. Inspired by critical pedagogy, Sultan recently launched Suited Up, a local charitable initiative that assists marginalized high school graduates.
We caught up with this brilliant, creative and compassionate young man to learn more about his plans to deliver more “good” in the world.
Q: Hey Sultan. Congratulations on being awarded the Premier’s International Scholarship! Why is this scholarship important to you?
A: I’ll be able to better understand globalization and how I can work toward higher intercultural competence as I study abroad at the Universidad de La Sabana in Colombia. The scholarship will increase my capacity to be a global thinker, as it will allow me to engage life at a deeper level and foster professional, personal and ideological growth.
Q: And what are you planning to study?
A: As a Master of Education student, I look forward to participating in a project that will provide me with hands-on research experience and diverse perspectives to arts-based pedagogy. I’m very interested in arts-based education and learning from ones’ surroundings and nature.
Q: Why did you choose to do an MEd?
A: After completing my undergrad in Canadian Studies (TRU), I worked as a project coordinator in health-care but the role was heavily administrative and I was unfulfilled. I strongly needed a change and felt that there was a lot more that I wanted to do during this lifetime to make an impact in my community. I am pursuing the Master of Education to gain a better understanding of educational leadership and to pave a path towards a career where I can make a deeper impact.
Q: Justice and discrimination seem to be significant issues for you. You are deeply sensitive to the barriers that people face that ultimately create a sense of marginalization. You’re working with international students at TRU to help them adjust to life in Kamloops, you’ve helped sponsor a refugee student from the Congo, and you’re working with TRU Recreation to make their language more inclusive so more people can enjoy intramural sports. Why is changing the landscape of marginalization and discrimination such a passion for you?
A: Let’s start with the deficit ideology: how we constantly try to place the blame on marginalized communities for being oppressed rather than understanding the systemic conditions that foster the marginalization and oppression. To add to the challenge, there are many individuals that show severe complacency and ignorance. These individuals condone and make excuses for cultural insensitivity. As an example, when I raised complaints about cultural insensitivity within an organization I was associated with, I was advised that the person who was being culturally insensitive was “from a small town and had never really left the town before.” This was a terrible excuse for inappropriate behaviour that should not be condoned in a multicultural society like Canada, or anywhere in the world. We need to take responsibility for inequalities and stop making excuses.
Q: What are some of the challenges you’ve had to overcome to get to where you are today?
A: I find that being a minority is extremely powerful, but at the same time, it can be challenge, especially residing in a smaller city such as Kamloops. As much as we say that we are multicultural, we have a long way to go to foster true cultural humility and understanding within our communities. As a minority, I bring a diverse perspective as I have managed to deal with adversity and have navigated various social locations.
Q: In your application for the Premier’s International Scholarship, you say you are an optimist. Why is that?
A: I have inherited my optimism from my dad. He has faced many hardships, yet has always been extremely determined and positive. I think his optimism has been infused into my own worldview — I was taught from a young age that you cannot simply give up. Over the years, I have learned that an optimistic and hopeful attitude is integral to managing change and adapting to new situations.
Q: I wish more people would choose optimism. Because it really is just a choice, and it gets easier with practice. So tell me, Sultan, how is the Irving K. Barber British Columbia Scholarship Society Premier’s International Scholarship helping you in your career path?
A: I have always had a desire to study abroad, but financially I wasn’t able to make that dream come true, so this scholarship will allow me to accomplish a lifelong goal of mine. Studying abroad is a transformational opportunity that will broaden my worldview and provide me with the skills needed to work in a heterogeneous environment. I look forward to deeply immersing myself in my a/r/tography research and the local community. I will use the knowledge and intercultural awareness gained through this scholarship to make a meaningful contribution to my future work, research, and community.
Thank you, Sultan. You are inspiring in your conviction and commitment, and noble in your pursuit of true human equality. We wish you all the best in your studies and on the road ahead!