New Zealand: Honoring the Legacy of Mingma Norbu Sherpa

Lincoln University, New Zealand

Two Mingma Norbu Sherpa Memorial Scholarships have been set up by the Mingma Norbu Sherpa Memorial Fund, which was set up on Sunday, 23 September 2007 - the first anniversary of Mingma's death. Tuition for a two years Masters program (for two students) have been kindly waived by Lincoln University, New Zealand for the next 10 years. In addition, a round trip airfare will be provided by Sir Ed and June Hillary through the Himalayan Trust. Basic travel/medical insurance for scholarship recipients are also being provided by donors through the Fund which is being steered by WWF New Zealand.


The steering group of the Mingma Norbu Sherpa Memorial Fund is seeking donations to reach its $450,000 target.  It will be held by WWF-New Zealand as an endowment fund which will yield sufficient funds to support a student annually in perpetuity.  The fund will be administered by a small steering group including Dave Bamford, Director of Tourism Resource Consultants, Bruce Jefferies of IUCN/World Commission Protected Areas (WCPA), David Simmonds, Professor of Tourism at Lincoln University, Lisa Choegyal (Nepal) and Chris Howe, Executive Director of WWF-New Zealand, along with chair of the fund, Jo Breese.

This scholarship is intended to support young individuals from the Himalayan mountain regions  who are committed to the future of environmental protection and sustainable natural resource management in their respective country.  The fund has been set up to give young conservation leaders the opportunity to follow in Mingma's footsteps and continue his life's work.
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 New Zealand: Mingma Norbu Sherpa Memorial Scholarship Recipients
This year the scholarship recipients were sought in Nepal through advertisements in the local newspaper, announcements, and email distributions. Shortlisted candidates were then called in for an interview with the Selection Committee Panel which consisted of Lincoln University graduates, representative of WWF Nepal, Himalayan Trust, The Mountain Institute, close family friends, and Mingma's daughter Dawa Sherpa.

One of the candidates selected as the 2008-2010 scholarship recipient for this award is Ms. Anu Lama. Ms. Lama is interested in pursuing the Masters in Parks and Recreation Tourism at Lincoln University, New Zealand. The selection committee was very impressed with Ms. Lama's biodata and work experiences, as well as her interview. She is currently working with the government's Annapurna Conservation Area Project (ACAP), the first and largest conservation area in Nepal - a project that Mingma was principal investigator for, then became director of.

"It is a great honour and like a dream come true, to be one of the first two recipients of the Mingma Norbu Sherpa Memorial Scholarship. This is because I have a deep passion for conservation and development issues and have been professionally linked with the Annapurna Conservation Area Project (ACAP) – a pioneer conservation organization, promoting participatory approach to sustainable protected area management, designed and developed by one of the great conservation leader of all time, the Late Mingma Norbu Sherpa. By being involved in this course and through experiential learning and professional networks I aspire to improve my knowledge and develop expertise to become a promising next generation woman conservation leader of Nepal and follow his footsteps to invigorate the legacy left behind by the great leader himself in the field of protected area management." - Anu Lama

The second candidate for the 2008-2010 scholarship recipient for this award is Ms. Salina Paudyal. Ms. Paudyal has a strong academic background, as she holds a Masters Degree in Environmental Science with distinctions from Tribhuwan University. She was the top among girls in her batch, and placed 3rd position overall. She is currently working with the Center for Rural Technology as a program officer and is interested in pursuing a Masters Degree at Lincoln University, New Zealand in Natural Resource Management.

"The Mingma Norbu Sherpa Memorial Scholarship provides me an opportunity to open new windows of thought, enhancing my knowledge in Natural Resource Management and allowing me to grow in my position at concern worldwide through my further education in Lincoln University. This scholarship provides me to broaden my vision in a global perspective on environmental issues and build domain knowledge in resource management.

 

An international master degree in NRM opens a lot of opportunities. I feel proud of being a MNS scholar and part of this scholarship, without which my dreams will not accomplish and aim remain unfulfilled."  - Salina Poudyal

 

New Zealand: Fundraising Events

Posted: Saturday, Nov 24th, 2007

A Big THANK YOU to everyone who helped organize the Quiz & Auction Night and/or donated either by offering or buying items at the Auction.  
We had a great nite on friday and raised  $4,000 just from the auction, so many thanks for your kindness.
For those of you who gave vouchers we will let you know who the successful  bidder was
With many thanks,
Dave Bamford
Director of Tourism Resource Consultants

Plus 2 Scholarship Program

  The Greater Himalayas Scholarship Program:  In Nepal, public schools only go up to the tenth grade.  After the completion of 10th grade, all students have to pass the “School Leaving Certificate” exam in order to “graduate.”  For those who want to, or rather can afford further education, they can pursue 11th and 12th grade in private schools.

×Full scholarship for one student for 11th & 12th grade
×Private School in Kathmandu, Nepal
×Areas of Study: Any