The Canadian Rivers Institute (CRI) is pleased to share that CRI at University of New Brunswick alumni, Karma Tenzin, was recently appointed as Zimpon Wogma (Deputy Chamberlain) to his Majesty The King of Bhutan.
On November 10, 2016, Tenzin was conferred the honorary Scarf (Kabney) and Sword (Patang) by His Majesty The King from the Golden Throne.
Tenzin received a bachelor's degree from Sherubtse College, Trashigang and then travelled to Canada where he designed a non-lethal fish monitoring program for rivers in Bhutan under the guidance of former CRI science director and University of New Brunswick (UNB) biology professor, Dr. Kelly Munkittrick. Tenzin obtained his master's degree in biology from the UNB in 2006.
With the new position, Tenzin is on deputation with Office of the Gyalpoi Zimpon, His Majesty’s Secretariat, where Zimpon Wogmas, from a diversity of backgrounds, support the Gyalpoi Zimpon in delivering His Majesty’s Kidu (welfare) to the people of Bhutan.
“This is an immense recognition for a civil servant from His Majesty The King. However, personally I had never even dreamt of being awarded as such,” says Tenzin.
Since its formation, CRI has placed significant emphasis on meeting the global demand for highly qualified professionals and environmental scientists in aquatic and watershed sciences. Over its first 15 years, the CRI has attracted more than 450 students and postdoctoral fellows from across Canada and the world to study with internationally-renowned river and estuarine experts who are also committed to creating a new generation of informed and engaged professionals.
Approximately 20% of CRI’s alumni have come from diverse countries as Bhutan, Chile, China, Finland, Italy, New Zealand, Romania and Senegal. The majority of young scientists go on to work in prominent positions in governments, academia, and private sectors.
“Besides understanding rivers, fishes and their environment, I experienced the best supervisors and colleagues at the CRI and UNB," says Tennzin.
The CRI was founded in 2001 and is hosted at the University of New Brunswick.