Media Release
ÐßÐßÓ°Ôº President Awarded King Charles III Coronation Medal
Vancouver, April 1, 2025 – Ajay Patel, President and CEO of ÐßÐßÓ°Ôº (VCC), has been awarded the King Charles III Coronation Medal as an acknowledgement of his outstanding contributions to the regulated career college sector and workforce development in Canada.
The medal is awarded to individuals who have made outstanding contributions to a particular province, territory, region, or community of Canada, or who have had an outstanding achievement abroad that brings credit to Canada. Ajay was put forward by the Canadian Bureau for International Education (CBIE) and the medal was presented to him by Jagrup Brar, Minister for Mining and Critical Minerals.
“Ajay was nominated for the King Charles III Coronation Medal in recognition of his visionary leadership and enduring commitment to international education,” said Larissa Bezo, President and CEO of CBIE. “As a former Board Chair of CBIE, he has played a pivotal role in advancing global engagement and broadening opportunities for students and institutions across Canada. Ajay’s unwavering dedication to fostering inclusive, supportive environments for international students during their studies, equipping them for lifelong success, has made a lasting impact. This prestigious honour reflects his leadership in enriching the student experience and elevating Canada's global standing in education.”
“I am deeply honoured to be nominated by CBIE for this prestigious award, which I would like to dedicate to my family. It is a privilege to serve as the President of British Columbia’s oldest post-secondary institution. We are extremely proud of this legacy, and we look forward to making an even greater impact in the decades to come,” said Ajay Patel, President and CEO, ÐßÐßÓ°Ôº. “This recognition would not have been possible without the daily inspiration from our students and support from my ÐßÐßÓ°Ôºcolleagues. Together, we are shaping VCC’s vision for the future and equipping the next generation in B.C.’s communities.”
Ajay is currently overseeing the implementation of the college’s expansive Strategic Innovation Plan. The plan provides a bold, new vision for campus and program development and has been heavily informed by VCC’s values of equity, accessibility, and reconciliation. Its aim is to form a learning environment for future generations so ÐßÐßÓ°Ôºcan continue to serve British Columbia well into the future.
To learn more about VCC’s Strategic Plan, visit: /strategic-plan/.
About Ajay Patel
Ajay Patel is the President and CEO of ÐßÐßÓ°Ôº (VCC), a champion of international education, equity, and access to learning. With extensive leadership experience in post-secondary education, sport, and community development, Ajay is deeply committed to fostering global engagement and student success. He actively contributes to international education through his work with the Canadian Bureau for International Education, Colleges and Institutes Canada and World Education Services. Named one of Vancouver Magazine’s Power 50 and Canada’s Top 25 Immigrants, Ajay is recognized for his strategic leadership in shaping VCC’s role in workforce development, global learning opportunities, and lifelong education. 
About ÐßÐßÓ°Ôº
ÐßÐßÓ°Ôº (VCC) is one of British Columbia's largest and oldest public post-secondary institutions, offering over 140 programs across a wide range of disciplines, including health sciences, hospitality, trades, design, and arts. With a focus on hands-on, industry-relevant learning, ÐßÐßÓ°Ôºis committed to providing students with real-world experience that leads to meaningful employment. Real learning for real change.  /welcome/
Contact
Emma Miller
emmmiller@vcc.ca