SRINAGAR: Seemingly, it was UNESCO in Kashmir today. During the day, Kashmir remained busy celebrating the UNESCO award to Amar Singh College for its restoration by INTACH. In the evening, the news broke that Prof Ghulam Mohammad Bhat, a senior Kashmir geologist serving Jammu University, has been appointed as a member to the Scientific Board of Geosciences Programme (IGCP).
Prof Bhat, a resident of Pampore, will be one of the six members chosen globally on a four-year term that could be extended to another four years.
Prof Bhat confirmed his appointment. The IGCP evaluates and approves the research proj3ects that the researchers submit to UNESCO and IUGS (International Union of Geological Sciences). Both the world bodies pool their resources to fund global research projects.
The last geologist from India who served the prestigious Board was Prof A K Singhvi. This is for the first time that a Kashmir academic has been appointed to the position ever in the history of UNESCO.
The IGCP, considered to be the “most successful and cost-efficient” Geosciences ventures for the twin both organizations provides the link between reputed international geoscientists and the IUGS/UNESCO staff, which manage IGCP.
“We recognize your scientific qualifications and exceptional professional accomplishments and sincerely congratulate you with your appointment to the IGCP Scientific Board,” the nomination letter signed jointly by John Ludon, President IUGS and Kristof Vandenberghe of UNESCO reads. “On behalf of UNESCO and IUGS, it is a great pleasure to welcome you as member of the IGCP Scientific Board for a term of four years (2020-2024). We believe that you can provide the necessary technical skills to join the Geo-hazards theme within the Scientific Board. You and Theme Leader will jointly assess the progress of existing projects as provided in their annual reports and also evaluate several new project proposals for future funding. This work will be undertaken ahead of the annual IGCP Board Meeting in Paris, where six Theme leaders will finalize compiled responses and comments from the members of their theme. UNESCO and IUGS are honoured to have you as part of this new restructured IGCP Scientific Board and we very much look forward to working with you”.
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