MINGMA NORBU SHERPA MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP AT ROYAL THIMPHU COLLEGE, BHUTAN
2016: Dechen Tshomo
Dechen Tshomo
Dechen was selected as the first student to receive the Mingma Norbu Sherpa Memorial Scholarship at Royal Thimphu College. Dechen is 19 years old and was born and raised in rural eastern Bhutan (Radi, Trashigang), where going to school was a luxury many could not afford. Dechen vividly remembers accompanying her three siblings to the forest to collect fallen dry branches and twigs for firewood before the arrival of electricity in her village. “I have and will always have this special attachment to nature,” said Dechen, whose parents are both farmers. Dechen wants to become an advocate of environmental conservation to leaders and public in Bhutan and beyond.
2017: Tshering Choden
Tshering Choden
Tshering comes from the Samdrup Jongkhar District in Bhutan. She is the first member of her family to receive secondary formal education and is determined to be a role model for her children, siblings, and other youth from her village. Living in the forest growing up, she understands the complex environment that conservationists will face in the future and is committed to a career working to enhance Bhutan’s ability to conserve its natural resources and improve the lives of its citizens.
“As a woman and a mother, I foresee the potential to contribute towards our nation building and humanity at large; and dedicate myself to the cause of conservation and environment.”
2018: Tashi Namgyel
Tashi Namgyel
Tashi is from Chukha, Bhutan, but moved to the capital city of Thimphu for schooling. Ever since he can remember, he was always wanted to be an environment conservationist. “As a child born and grown up in a remote place which had its environment intact, it always gives me pain when I think of the urban wastes. With the increase in population, the wastes generated by the general population has been doubling and going beyond the absorption capacity of the mother nature. ” Tashi believes that by getting a Bachelors in Environmental Management, he will be able to educate and create awareness on the impact of waste and to find solution to such problems, especially in urban areas.
(Pictured 2nd from left)