Dr. Karl Vernes (third from left in the picture above), the Senior Lecturer at the School of Environment and Rural Studies and Dr. Rajanathan Rajaratnam (better known as Raj, second from left), the Lecturer at the School of Geography and Planning of the University of New England (UNE), Armidale, New South Wales, Australia are in the country to refine and develop the environmental  curriculum and identify future strategy for the environmental programme including the supervision of research based honours project.  They were also scoping cross institutional collaboration that will assist and enhance teaching and research of the environmental degree programme at the Sherubtse College.

T.B. Mongar (extreme right), the Officiating Director, UWICE welcoming the visiting guests.

On their return from the Sherubtse College i.e. on 14th December 2009, Dr. Karl and Dr. Raj visited Ugyen Wangchuck Institute for Conservation and Environment (UWICE).  At the institute, they were received by one of their former students, Tiger Sangay. The main purpose of their visit was to learn about UWICE’s plan and program and for future collaboration. On behalf of the Institute, the visiting guests were welcomed by the Officiating Director, Mr. T.B. Mongar followed by a presentation on UWICE by Tiger Sangay for the benefit of the guests of the UNE.  The presentation focused on the conservation efforts in Bhutan, its potentials and opportunities as well as the constraints. The presentation also emphasised on UWICE’s vision, mission and its plans and programs. Discussions were mainly focused on some of the possible future collaborative activities between the UWICE and the UNE.  The two guests also shared some of the potential courses and programs that the UWICE and the UNE could host for Bhutan and for the regional audiences.  In particular, the course on writing a scientific paper from the initial stages like selecting appropriate survey methodology, some research appraisal including designing research and framing question, data collection, data analysis and writing to publish the findings in the reputed international journals.  The other courses discussed were on various wildlife survey techniques and in the process developing or adapting survey techniques to suit mountainous topography i.e. steep terrain and high altitude.  It is then expected for joint publication as the neo-survey methodology for mountainous.

This is Dr. Karl Vernes and Dr. Raj‘s second visit to the country. The first time they had come to supervise the research on red panda initiated and conducted by Mr. Sangay Dorji of Jigme Dorji National Park for his masters degree. Dr. Karl had been the academic supervisor of Tiger Sangay and has a learned a lot about the country rich biodiversity while supervising Tiger Sangay’s work. Since then, he has developed special interest to work and contribute in this part of the world.

After the presentation, they were taken on a campus tour to show some of the facilities and the infrastructure development activities on site of the institute.