Kwantlen Polytechnic University (KPU) nursing instructor Dr. Balbir Gurm received the Excellence in Community Engagement Award at the 2022 Drishti Awards on Friday night (Nov. 18).
The award from the Canadian South Asian lifestyle magazine recognizes someone who has made exceptional contributions to improve the well-being of individuals and families. In addition to teaching at KPU, Dr. Gurm founded the Network to Eliminate Violence in Relationships (NEVR).
“This award is an opportunity to put a spotlight on many of the societal issues that exist including challenges survivors of violence and other marginalized groups face, and the incredible work of the Network to Eliminate Violence in Relationships’ many community members,” she says.
Dr. Gurm has worked on improving the health of the community for almost 30 years. Recently, she created a free online NEVR ebook that includes support resources and service providers for anyone fleeing domestic violence.
“Thank you so much to KPU for providing the online space for this project. The institution is truly living up to its motto of being an institution where thought meets action,” she adds.
“This award further represents the work Dr. Balbir Gurm has done within the larger community,” says Sharmen Lee, dean of the Faculty of Health at KPU. “We are proud to have her as a leader in our KPU nursing faculty and as a representative of the university,”
Dr. Gurm says this award shows that if you put your mind to something, you can do it. She adds that academics are in privileged positions and need to use their privilege to improve communities.
“It’s an opportunity to bring more people into the fold and involve more organizations in my current project of fighting relationship violence and improving the health and well-being of our society,” she adds.