Paul Brown Center of Excellence for promoting research and innovation was inaugurated at Indian Institute of Forest Management, Bhopal on Monday.
GA Kinhal, Director, IIFM and Rampraveen Swaminathan, President, International Paper India, inaugurated the Center. Speaking on the occasion, Kinhal, Director, IIFM said that the Board of Directors of IIFM have approved the IIFM-Industry interface.
Explaining the need for sustainability of forests through judicious forest management, Kanhal said that IIFM is focussing on education, research, consultancy services, short-term courses and practical view point of sustainability of natural resource management. The public-private partnership is a platform for knowledge dissemination and also placement of meritorious students in the industries. The academic and industry cooperation and coordination will enable the conservation of forest wealth. The Center of Excellence is a collaboration between Indian Institute of Forest Management and International Paper.
Participating in the function, Rampraveen Swaminathan, President of International Paper India said that there is a memorandum of understanding signed with IIFM. International Paper had 100 years experience and is dealing with production of paper, packaging and forestry products and largest owner of private land in Western Europe. International Paper is concentrating to build a strong infrastructure facilities and active participation in IIFM students’ campus placements.
The Paul Brown Center of Excellence is a vehicle for promoting research and learning and selecting projects for sustainability and conservation of forests.
The International Paper will also encourage a minimum of five research students every year.
A brochure consisting of Objectives and Framework of the Center of Excellence was released on the occasion. Rampraveen handed over a cheque of `10 lakh to the Director, IIFM towards the objectives of the Center. Kinhal and Rampraveen have unveiled the plaque at the Center. Several faculty members of IIFM including other dignitaries were present on the occasion.