Ajay Patel
Equipping the Workforce for a Low-Carbon Economy
Ajay Patel has been the President and CEO of Vancouver Community College (VCC) since 2020. His journey, beginning in Fiji and continuing in East Vancouver and now Burnaby, reflects his resilience and adaptability as a person of colour with a hearing disability.
Born to Gujarati parents in Fiji, Ajay immigrated to East Vancouver as a young boy. After completing VCC-Langara's Human Performance program, Ajay earned his Bachelor's and Master's degrees in Human Kinetics from the University of British Columbia. He worked in amateur and competitive sports for 16 years before transitioning to academia, including as CEO of Badminton BC and Gymnastics BC, and as Team BC's Chef de Mission for the Canada Winter and Summer Games.
Ajay started at VCC in 2019 as the Vice President, Enterprise & International Development. He was promoted to Acting President later that year, followed by President and CEO in 2020. Under Ajay’s leadership, VCC has placed strong emphasis on supporting newcomer and immigrant students to ensure they receive tailored advice that helps them succeed at the college.
VCC continuously evolves to stay ahead of labour market demands. Thanks to its longstanding relationship with industry, many of its instructors are working professionals who help build programs that meet the real-time expectations of B.C.’s job market. As a result, VCC delivers job-ready graduates who immediately contribute to their fields. As Canada transitions towards a net-zero economy, Ajay is leading VCC’s Campus Plan, including building a new $300 million Centre for Clean Energy and Automotive Innovation (CCEAI) and launching new clean energy programs. This bold initiative will prepare students who are technically skilled, environmentally conscious, and ready for long-term impact in critical, in-demand sectors.
As one of Canada’s few South Asian college presidents, Ajay is working to dismantle systemic barriers and build institutional cultures that reflect the communities they serve. He represents VCC nationally and internationally through roles with World Education Services, Colleges & Institutes Canada and University Mobility of the Asia Pacific, and more, advocating for access, equity, and reconciliation. He also serves on the province’s anti-racism committee and the Invest Vancouver Management board, driving equity and community engagement.
Ajay’s leadership roles at Sport BC, the BC Recreation and Parks Association, and the Vancouver Sport Strategy reflect his lifelong commitment to supporting his community. This year, Ajay was inducted into the Canada Games Hall of Honour ahead of the St. John’s 2025 Canada Games for his significant contributions to the Canada Games Movement and Canadian sport. He has been recognized through the City of Vancouver’s Volunteer of the Year Award, the Top 25 Canadian Immigrants Award, and the King Charles III Coronation Medal. He was also named in Vancouver Magazine’s Annual Power 50 list for 2025.