Darwin Initiative in Nepal: Darwin Scholars

darwin scholars

Tribhuvan University Central Library, Kirtipur

The Darwin Scholars will each participate in all three 2-week training workshops in Nepal, one of the 3-week fieldwork training events, and one of the 2-week study visits (see introduction, main events, etc. for further details). As part of the final assessment Darwin Scholars will be asked to submit a taxonomic report. This will be based around a taxon (e.g. family or genus) involving 10 to 20 species, and may take various forms, most probably a floristic account with keys and descriptions. Projects will be decided on an individual basis during the first training workshop, and should avoid technically critical groups and those of restricted distribution. The taxonomic group chosen will provide a focus for activities undertaken during the two years of the project. Scholars will put emphasis on collecting these taxa during the fieldwork exercises, record data from specimens at TUCH, KATH and RBGE, and undertake a literature survey. Scholars will be encouraged to continue application of techniques and continue research on their taxonomic group between the training events. Certificates of Attendance will be issued following completion of the training workshops in Nepal, fieldwork excercises and training visits to the UK. A final certificate will be issued on submittance of the Individual Project at the end of the course.

Darwin Scholars
The following Nepalese botanists are involved in the project as Darwin Scholars:

Mr Sunil Kumar Acharya, Asst. Scientific Officer, District Office, Banke (DPR)
Mr Bhaskar Adhikari, Freelance botanist, Kathmandu
Ms Sajan Dahal, Asst. Research Officer, National Herbarium (DPR)
Ms Anjana Giri, Asst. Scientific Officer, RONAST, Khumaltar (RONAST)
Mr Umesh Koirala, Lecturer, PG Campus, Biratnagar (TU)
Mr Kamal Maden, Teaching Asst. (part time), PG Campus, Biratnagar (TU)
Ms Vidya Keshari Manandhar, Asst. Research Officer, National Herbarium (DPR)
Mr Lalit Narayan Mandar, Lecturer, PN Campus, Pokhara (TU)
Ms Nirmala Pandey, Ass. Scientific Officer, DPR Head Office,Thapathali (DPR)
Mr Ram Chandra Poudel, Freelance botanist, Kathmandu
Ms Sangeeta Rajbhandary, Lecturer, CDB-TU, Kirtipur (TU)
Dr Lokesh Ratna Shakya, Lecturer, ASCOL, Kathmandu (TU)
Dr Sangita Shrestha, Scientific Officer, RONAST, Khumaltar (RONAST)
Dr Mohan Siwakoti, Reader, Natural History Museum, Swayambhu (TU)
Mr Naresh Thapa, Asst. Scientific Officer, National Herbarium (DPR)
Mr Rajesh Kumar Uprety, Ass. Scientific Officer, DPR Head Office,Thapathali (DPR)
Ms Sheetal Vaidya, Lecturer, Patan Campus (TU)

Selection of the Darwin Scholars
The 16 scholars were allocated to the participating institutes as follows: DPR 4 persons; TU 4 persons; RONAST 2 persons. The last six places were filled through open competition (members of the participating institutes not included in the institutional allocations could apply for open competition places). An advertisement was placed in the Kantipur Daily newspaper on 9th January 2004 and circulated for the notice boards of participating organisations, other institutes (e.g. the Natural History Museum), and NGO�s (e.g. ICIMOD, WWF, IUCN, KMTNC, British Council, British Embassy).

The criteria for selection were as follows:

M.Sc. (Botany) or equivalent experience; preference was given to those specialising in the systematics of any plant group
Candidates who demonstrate committment to plant biodiversity research in Nepal (e.g. co-authorship of taxonomic treatments for the Flora of Nepal)
Candidates with computing skills were preferred
Candidates with permanent jobs were preferred (not necessarily applied for open competition)

Applicants submitted a full Curriculum Vita, application form (see below), and up to two letters from referees supporting their application. Those employed by DPR, TU or RONAST applied directly to their respective institutes on or before 31st January 2004, whereas the deadline for applicants for open competition was on or before 31st January 2004 (via RONAST).

The Director General of DPR nominated four candidates from DPR staff, the Dean of the Institute of Science and Technology, TU nominated four candidates from TU staff, and the Vice-Chancellor, RONAST, nominated two candidates from his staff. Pre-selection of twelve candidates for the six open competition places was be made by a selection committee consitituted by RONAST, and the final selection of Darwin Scholars was undertaken by RBGE in February 2004.