Asian Heritage Month
Asian Heritage Month is a celebration of the achievements and contributions of all Canadians of Asian descent to the history, growth and prosperity of the country, and to the ongoing role in shaping Canada’s identity. The Government of Canada designated May as Asian Heritage Month in 2002.
It is an opportunity to learn more about the vastly diverse cultures and histories of Asian communities as well as acknowledge the many accomplishments and experiences of people of Asian origin in Canada, Alberta and in Lethbridge.
At the University of Lethbridge, we wish to highlight the incredible contributions of our diverse Asian campus community and be resolute in our stand against all forms of Anti-Asian racism and discrimination.
Campus Highlights
Pat Chan Lai Ngo, Faculty of Fine Arts (Drama)
Pat Chan Lai Ngo is a theatre educator, director and choreographer who joined the University of Lethbridge as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Drama last summer.
"I am originally from Malaysia, a country rich in multicultural heritage, comprising Malay, Chinese, South Asian, Indigenous and other communities. I hold an MFA in Directing from the University of Calgary in Canada and an MA in Actor Training and Coaching from the Royal Central School of Speech and Drama, University of London, in the United Kingdom.
My diverse background includes over twelve years of teaching in post-secondary education and more than 20 years of creating performances across Asia, Europe and North America."
Dr. Bonnie Lee, Faculty of Health Sciences (Addiction and Mental Health Counselling)
Dr. Bonnie Lee (Faculty of Health Sciences — Addictions Counselling) was a 2024/25 Equity Scholar. She launched the Student-generated Quick Cases: EDI Dilemmas from Students’ Lived Experience project. This competition invites upper-level and graduate health sciences students to create “Hollywood-style” vignettes based on their personal experiences with EDI dilemmas. The goal is to generate real-life scenarios for discussion and role-play, helping students explore various perspectives and compiling a valuable resource for future educational use.
Dr. Lee has also been nominated for the Top 25 Canadian Immigrant Award, an award that spotlights immigrants who contribute to Canada's economy, innovation, arts and communities. Voting is open until June 12, 2026.
Supriya Middha, PhD Candidate (Population Studies in Health)
Supriya Middha (PhD Candidate – Population Studies in Health) is the winner of the 2025 Michael Chan Prize in Asian Studies. Her research explores how colonial legacies continue to shape mental health systems and South Asian immigrant experiences in Canada. She presented a research talk on Feb. 11, 2026 with Dr. Toupey Luft (Faculty of Education), as a part of the Prentice Institute for Global Population and Economy Speaker Series.