Thinley Namgay  

To recognise the academic excellence of the 2020 batch of undergraduate scholarship students, the Department of Adult and Higher Education (DAHE) awarded medals and certificates to eight students in Thimphu yesterday.

Phuntsho Wangmo with a BSc in Medical Imaging Technology, and Pema Wangmo with a BTech Bio-Medical Engineering from SRM University in India, and Yeshey Lham, a BBA Economics honours from the University of Texas, United States of America, secured gold medals.

Other gold medallists were Tenzin Yangchen, a BSc Culinary Arts graduate and Deki Tshomo with a BA in Hospitality Management from Chitkara University in India, and Ugyen Pemo, a BBA marketing graduate from Sharda University in India.

Meanwhile, BBA marketing graduates from Sharda University in India, Ugyen Dema and Tenzin Drakpa, received silver and bronze medals, respectively.

Yeshey Lham from Wangdue works as an associate analyst at Druk Holding and Investments. She was the national Class XII Arts stream topper from Ugyen Academy with 83.25 percent. In the US, Yeshey Lham obtained a 3.95 grade point average (GPA) out of a maximum of 4 grade points and topped her course. Moreover, Yeshey was also awarded the 2020 Top 10 Senior Award for Academic and Leadership Skills.

Yeshey Lham said: “It is vital for us to have set goals in life. In a world where everything has become very competitive, opportunities are equally available. We have to recognise them and take chances.”

She said one has to strive for the best, however trivial a task might be. “Do it with satisfaction because no recognition without satisfaction is no recognition at all.”

Phuntsho Wangmo, 19, from Trashigang secured 88 percent and stood first in her course. She is a radio technologist at Centre Regional Rereferral Hospital in Gelephu.

According to Phuntsho Wangmo, concentration in class is essential to do well in exams. She says one has to be an active learner to orient oneself in the 21st century.

Besides her regular duties, Phuntsho Wangmo said she wants to provide free tuition to students during off-hours.

Pema Wangmo is working at a national referral hospital as a biomedical engineer, and Tenzin Yangchen is running a restaurant in Thimphu.

Four of them are pursuing post-graduate diplomas at the Royal Institute of Management (RIM) in Thimphu.  Deki Tshomo is pursuing a post-graduate diploma in public administration. Ugyen Pemo, Ugyen Dema, and Tenzin Drakpa are studying for a post-graduate diploma in financial management.

An official from DAHE said the award is not an annual programme. “DAHE provides awards only if the students topped their university examinations. Such recognition will motivate youth to excel in academics.”

More than 200 scholarship students graduate every year.

Edited by Tshering Palden