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UWICE organized its first board meeting


 The first Board Meeting of the Ugyen Wangchuck Institute for Conservation and Environment (UWICE) was held today under the Chairmanship of His Excellency, Lyonchen Jigmi Y. Thinley, Prime Minister of Bhutan.
UWICE will mature up to be the premier research and educational institute in the region. The meeting endorsed many strategic components for cruising towards the goal.
The approval for the change of nomenclature for board of advisors to panel of advisors and appointing of the panel was unanimously accorded by the incumbent members. The proposed organogram for the institute, manpower requirements and the HRD plan were also endorsed with minimal or no alteration. For instance, under the endorsed HRD plan, UWICE will have almost 14 faculty members with PhD in different disciplines by 2015. However, it is directed that further discussion with RCSC be done to avoid contradicting any laws in force.
The institute also proposed to facilitate invoking of interest amongst the individual, communities, national, regional and international personalities in contributing towards conserving of environment. This can be done by recognizing, rewarding and appreciating such individual or group. Hence, the proposal of inducting Jigme Singye Wangchuck Hall of Environmental Champion from the amount gifted by His Majesty the fourth Druk Gyalpo was well received by the board.
The board meeting endorsed the 5 years research and education plans for the institute besides also approving other strategic interventions such as institution of JSW Hall of Environmental Champions and Eco-friendly design demonstration. The final agenda of joint MSc in Himalayan Environment, Forestry and Conservation slated for 2014 also made through unscathed. However, the Hon’ble Prime Minister advised the institute to look for collaboration with other agencies and avoid duplications.
The presentation on the status and progress of the institute by Mr. Ngawang Norbu, Director, UWICE accorded appreciation from the Chairperson and the board members.
The meeting was also attended by H.E Lyonpo (Dr.) Pema Gyamtsho, Ministry of Agriculture and Forests, Hon’ble Secretary, MoAF, Directors of Departments under MoAF,  heads of other governmental and non-governmental agencies such as National Environment Commission, Tourism Council of Bhutan, Royal Society for Protection of Nature, World Wildlife Fund, Department of Geology and Mines and others.
The 33rd session of the Lhengye Zhungtshog renamed the erstwhile Ugyen Wangchuck Environmental Forestry Institute as Ugyen Wangchuck Institute for Conservation and Environment and also approved revised mandates and functions of the institute.

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