College of Natural Resources, Consolidation Phase

(last updated October 2006)

Phase V:         July 2006 - June 2008
Budget:           CHF 400,000
Partner:          College of Natural Resources, Lobesa
Contact:          Dorji Wangchuk, nrti-dir@druknet.bt

Background/Introduction
Achievements
Activities
On-going activities
Future Outlook
Key Project Documents                    

Background/Introduction:

Swiss support for the College of Natural Resources (CNR), Lobesa (previously called Natural Resources Training Institute - NRTI) began in 1989.  Since then, the four phases of Swiss support have included developing infrastructure, human resources, and establishing appropriate training programmes.

The project goal of the consolidation phase is to make relevant and lasting contributions to the socio-economic development through capacity building in the Renewable Natural Resources (RNR) sector. This phase would focus on new challenges that have emerged as a result of the College of Natural Resources being integrated into the Royal University of Bhutan, the new mandate to offer a degree programme, the taking on of a credit-based continuing education programme for RNR staff as well as developments in the country in terms of decentralization, market-oriented preparedness and ICT use.

Within the scope of this overall goal the project pursues the following major objective:

• To assist CNR in consolidating the existing activities and in preparing itself to tackle existing and emerging challenges.

To achieve the objective, the project concentrates on the following main group of activities:

• Institutional Development (Organizational Strengthening);
• Teaching/Learning Environment and Resources; and
• Quality and Relevance of Training Programmes.

Achievements:

• A plan of action has been drawn up for the phase;
• The organizational setup for the implementation of the project has been finalized.

Future Outlook:

Short-term technical assistances through the project would be sought to support the development of a degree curriculum, and to review/adapt the existing diploma training programs. An analysis of the internal organization and structure of the College would also be conducted to help develop a plan of action for institutional development and management, including developing ICT competencies and a reliable ICT data management system.

Short and long term capacity development programs in areas of priority for the College, as well as in-house trainings and field attachments for the faculty would be executed.

Networking and collaboration with relevant institutes both within and outside of the country would be enhanced through exchange programs, guest lecturers, and other collaborative activities.

Teaching-learning resources, including ICT accessibility and library resources, would be enhanced.

Key Project Documents:

• Project Document
• Project Agreement