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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