Inauguration of UNESCO Madanjeet Singh Centre for South Asia Forestry Studies (UMCSAFS).

On 16^th April, 2015 the UNESCO Madanjeet Singh Centre for South Asia Forestry Studies (UMCSAFS) was inaugurated in Bumthang by Her Royal Highness, Princess Chimi Yangzom Wangchuck in the presence of the Honourable Agriculture Minister, Lyonpo Yeshey Dorji, Madame France Marquet, Principal Trustee-MSF and the Chairman of the SAF-Bhutan Chapter, Lyonpo Sangay Ngedup.  The solemn occasion was marked by prayers, was also attended by Mr. Navin Chawla, Advisor-MSF and former Chief Election Commissioner of India, as well as Mr. Shigeru Aoyagi, Director and UNESCO Representative to India, Bhutan, Maldives and Sri Lanka.

The inauguration fulfilled a long cherished dream of late UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador Madanjeet Singh whose personal behest had made possible the funding to establish this building.  This is one of the first projects that the late UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador Madanjeet Singh has visualized in his dream of setting up Institutions of Excellence in all the SAARC countries.  The building was inaugurated on the birth anniversary of Ambassador Madanjeet Singh.

The two-storied building, finished in traditional Bhutanese style, houses a conference hall and IT labs, amongst others.  As part of UWICE, the Centre will provide a four years Bachelor degree in Science in Forestry and Sustainable Studies.

This year seven students from Nepal, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh are undergoing forestry studies at the Centre.  The fourth batch will be recruited in August, the Centre’s Programme Director, Sangay Wangchuck said.

In her address, Her Royal Highness said the opening of the Centre brings new opportunities for science and research in South Asia.  “Given Bhutan’s rich biodiversity and forests, it is only fitting that such a forestry institute be established in Bhutan”, she said.  “I am confident that the new Centre will grow into one of the most prestigious institutes in the Region and beyond.”

Lyonpo Yeshey Dorji said the Centre would offer the courses, in collaboration with UWICE and College of Natural Resources in Lobesa.  “The Centre will take one student on full scholarship every year from each of the SAARC countries”, he said.  SAF has committed USD 1 million to fund the programmes in the Centre.

Photo Gallery

Picture taken after  homage paid to the memory of late Ambassador Madanjeet Singh, Founder, South Asia Foundation & Madanjeet Singh Foundation.Left to Right: Ms Nim Dem, SAF-Bhutan, Secretary; Mr Shigeru Aoyagi, UNESCO Representative; Madame France Marquet, Principal Trustee, Madanjeet Singh Foundation & Trustee of South Asia Foundation; Lyonpo Sangay Ngedup, Chairman, SAF-Bhutan and Mr Navin B Chawla, Advisor, MSF & former Chief Election Commissioner of India.

View of the UNESCO Madanjeet Singh Centre for South Asia Forestry Studies (UMCSAFS). Right: Traditional Performance by Artists



At the inaugural ceremony with Her Royal Highness Princess  Ashi Chimi Yangzom Wangchuck, Dasho Sangay Wangchuck; Lyonpo Yeshey Dorji, Minister for Agriculture and Forests; H.E. Mr Kunzang N Tshering, Chief of Protocol; Ms Nim Dem, Secretary, SAF-Bhutan; Mr Shigeru Aoyagi, and UNESCO Representative; Madame France Marquet, Principal Trustee, MSF, Lyonpo Sangay Ngedup, SAF-Bhutan, Chairman and Mr Navin B Chawla, Advisor, MSF & former Chief Election Commissioner of India and others.



(In Center) Her Royal Highness Princess Ashi Chimi Yangzom Wangchuck, graciously poses with our scholars , ( Left to Right)  Mr A.K.M Arifur Rahman (Bangladesh); Mr Rasindu Koggela Wellela (Srilanka); Mr Anirban Sengupta( India) &  Ms Kanchan Kattel (Nepal).  In the picture  Dasho Sangay Wangchuck; Madame France Marquet, Principal Trustee, Madanjeet Singh Foundation (MSF); Mr Shigeru Aoyagi, Director and UNESCO Representative to India, Bhutan, Maldives and Sri Lanka, and Mr Navin B Chawla, Advisor, Madanjeet Singh Foundation, & former Chief Election Commissioner of India.



Her Royal Highness Princess Ashi Chimi Yangzom Wangchuck; Dasho Sangay Wangchuck; and Madame France Marquet, Principal Trustee, MSF.


Her Royal Highness at the Inauguration of the UMCSAFS.


View of the UNESCO Madanjeet Singh Centre for South Asia Forestry Studies (UMCSAFS).

Part of the Inauguration ceremony: Left to Right; Mr Navin B Chawla, Advisor MSF, former CEC of India; Lyonpo Sangay Ngedup, Chairman, SAF-Bhutan; Madame France Marquet, Principal Trustee, MSF.   Right picture: Inauguration Programme



Lamas praying for the success of the UNESCO Madanjeet Singh Centre for South Asia Forestry Studies (UMCSAFS).



The Prime Minister of Bhutan, H.E. Lyonpo Tshering Tobgay  at the residence of Lyonpo Sangay Ngedup and Mme Ngedup; Left to Right:  Mr Shigeru Aoyagi, UNESCO Representative; The Prime Minister of Bhutan, Lyonpo Tshering Tobgay; Madame France Marquet, Principal Trustee, MSF; Mrs Ngedup;  Mr Navin B Chawla, former CEC of India, and Advisor, MSF; Lyonpo Sangay Ngedup, Chairman, SAF-Bhutan.

In the ground of the Palace of the First King: Left to right-Lyonpo Sangay Ngedup, Chairman, SAF-Bhutan; Mr Shigeru Aoyagi, UNESCO Representative; Madame France Marquet, Principal Trustee, MSF; Mr Navin B Chawla, Advisor MSF, and former CEC of India.

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