From the 13th Five-Year Plan, the home affairs ministry plans to outsource conservation of heritage sites to private sector. To prepare Bhutanese undergraduates studying related courses to take up jobs in heritage conservation in the private sector, the ministry started giving training to relevant stakeholders to build their capacity. As part of the training, the ministry has trained lecturers from the College of Science and Technology.
Faculties from the College of Science and Technology’s architecture and civil engineering departments received the training.
Officials from the Department of Culture and Dzongkha Development said the training will prepare the faculties for the introduction of a new conservation module in CST’s undergraduate programme, which will commence from July.
The course will ensure that the graduates are prepared for a career in heritage conservation.
“The home ministry and the RUB have a memorandum of understanding on promoting the country’s conservation of heritage sites in the colleges. It also focuses on preparing the graduates for future employment. So, the training is aimed towards fulfilling this,” said Yeshi Samdrup, Chief Architecture of the Ministry of Home Affairs.
“Now, it will be like real, field practical sessions. Earlier, although we had a similar module, it was not in our Bhutanese context. It was based on an international perspective and was not much in line with our traditions. So, this training will help us teach in accordance with our Bhutanese context,” said Chimi, Lecturer at the College of Science and Technology.
The training is expected to enhance the technical capacity of future private sector professionals in heritage site conservation.
The officials from the ministry said collaboration and participation of the College of Science and Technology is important for the successful implementation of the 13th Five-Year Plan goals.
Kinley Dem, Phuentshogling
Edited by Phub Gyem
