How to apply for the UMCSAFS (UNESCO Madanjeet Singh Centre for South Asia Forestry Studies), Bumthang, Bhutan

(a) About the Royal University of Bhutan (and the College of Natural Resources): 500 words

The Royal University of Bhutan (RUB) is the only university in Bhutan established in June 2003, under the Royal Charter and Statutes signed in 18 April 2003 and 25 April 2003 respectively with the vision to promote GNH inspired excellence in human development and opening new paths to a better future. The RUB is based on a distributed model with the Office of the Vice Chancellor responsible for central coordination and the constituent member Colleges looking after the academic functions of teaching and research. Currently, there are ten tertiary institutions under the RUB providing education in different field of studies.

The College of Natural Resources (formerly Natural Resources Training Institute) situated in Lobesa, Punakha is one of the member institutes which caters to the educational needs of promoting Renewable Natural Resources studies. The College was started in 1992 with the vision to become a “Centre of Excellence for Rural Development Services” by providing higher education and generating competent extension professionals capable of delivering quality services for rural development at the grassroots level. Until 2008, the College of Natural Resources was providing diploma level courses in Agriculture, Livestock and Forestry. In order to provide opportunity for CNR diploma graduates to further their educational qualification and gain specialization in their own areas, 2 year B.Sc degree courses was initiated in 2009 in consistent with RUB’s nested academic program. Further, the CNR will commence B.Sc in Sustainable Development for regular pre-university students (class 12 passed) from July, 2012 academic session.

(b) About the UMCSAFS (and the Ugyen Wangchuk Institute for Conservation and Environment-UWICE): 500 words

The Ugyen Wangchuck Institute for Conservation and Environment is a Government based research and training institute. The Institute strives to foster better stewardship of our natural heritage – land, water, air and species therein – through rigorous science based research and transmission of cutting-edge science results to field practitioners, environmental leaders and policy makers.

The Institute concentrates our efforts on four major focus areas:

1. Sustainable Forestry;
2. Conservation Biology;
3. Water Resources
4. Socio-Economics and Policy Sciences

Currently, the Institute’s focus areas are defined by needs and challenges within Bhutan and outside. The Institute recognizes inter-linkages between the way forestry is practiced to the dynamics of species conservation and persistence.  Understanding the implications of land use practices and global climate change on water resources and energy requirements are also major focus areas of the institute. Above all, the Institute appreciates and seeks to understand human impacts and impacts on humans by studying social patterns and economic implications of management and policy interventions.

In addition to conducting research, the Institute provides a one-year certificate course in environment, forestry and conservation. The Institute also offer tailor made course within the field of conservation biology, sustainable forestry and water resources for professionals working in these fields.

The UNESCO Madanjeet Centre for South Asia Forestry Studies (UMCSAFS) is another parallel program offered at the Institute. It was established under the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between South Asia Foundation and UWICE on 17th March 2010. It is one of the 12 institutions of excellence established in the SAARC countries with generous support of H.E. Madanjeet Singh, a UNSECO goodwill Ambassador and the founder of South Asia Foundation.  The centre was founded in recognition to Bhutan’s good environment record and forested area never gone below 60%. The centre will provide group scholarships to study forestry courses and fellowships to academic and professionals to undertake research, publish books, journals, working papers and bulletins, as well as organize national and international conferences of emerging forestry and environmental issues.

The UNESCO Madanjeet Centre for South Asia Forestry Studies at UWICE strives to:

• Create new generation of ecological and environmental leaders to contribute towards the building of a sustainable future of South Asia and the planet as a whole through the promotion of science and education in the field of forestry and environment.
• Foster and promote regional cooperation by bringing together the next generation of forest scientists and leaders.

(c) Courses offered at the UMCSAFS: Title of the Course and degree/diploma offered; duration of the course 

B.Sc. Forestry with major in Conservation Science and Social Forestry

(d) Minimum Qualification(s) for admission to the courses at UMCSAFS.

• Candidates must have a class XII pass + minimum 2 years Diploma in Forestry with overall aggregate of 50 % and above and the Diploma should have been done in English.

Additional criteria:

• He/she should have minimum of 8 years of working experiences in the forestry related field and should be fluent in English (both in written and speaking).
• He/she should produce English Language Proficiency Certificate from recognized/competent institutions.

(e) Application forms (web-site details can be provided) and date-lines for submitting these forms, as well as name of the Director of the Institute to whom these applications should be sent;

The application form for Madanjeet Group Scholarship can be downloaded from UWICE website @ www.uwice.gov.bt. The application should reach to the institute latest by 30th April every year along with a copy of following documents:

1. Diploma Certificate
2. Diploma Transcript/Marksheet
3. English Language Proficiency Certificate 
4. Job Experience Certificate from the Employer
5. A copy of Citizenship ID card/valid passport

Application should be address to:

Program Director
UNESCO Madanjeet Centre for South Asia Forestry Studies (UMCSAFS)
Ugyen Wangchuck Institute for Conservation and Environment
 Post Box # 155
Lamai Goempa, Bumthang
Bhutan

(f) SAF Madanjeet Singh Group Scholarships available for studying at UMCSAFS : This section should include full details about the number of scholarships/ fellowships available each year (specifying gender equality), for which courses, and the financial emoluments offered, whether in cash or kind (provision of airfares, hostel facilities, course fees, monthly stipend, etc). 

The MCSAFS at UWICE will offer 8 fully paid Madanjeet Singh Group Scholarships (one student each from 8 SAARC countries) to study 2 years B.Sc degree in forestry with major in conservation science and social forestry at the College of Natural Resources, Royal University of Bhutan from July 2012. The scholarship will cover: (a) Tuition fees, (b) Economy air travel from the student’s place of residence within SAARC region to Bhutan and back, (c) monthly stipend to cover board and accommodation (e) nominal book allowance and printings (f) In-country travel daily subsistence allowance while travelling on study tour and field visits.

Subject to availability of funds, a visiting Research Fellowships will also be offered to PhD students from SAARC countries for data collection, consultations and field study at any of the Central Universities in India for a maximum period of six months.  The fellowship will cover economy class travel by Air/rail and provide Rs. 20,000/- per month and a onetime contingency grant of Rs. 10,000/- to meet living expenses. The fellowships will be advertised later in the UWICE website based on the fund availability after the implementation of the group scholarships.

A financial emolument offered for group scholarships is as follows:

Hostel Facility:

A twin bedded hostel accommodation with self catering facility is available for students @ Rs. 3000/room or Rs. 1500/bed. The SAARC countries students can occupy the rooms either singly or shared based on their choices.

Read more about "UMCSAFS"...