The Indian Institute of Forest Management (IIFM), Bhopal, in association with the Indira Gandhi National Forest Academy (IGNFA), Dehradun, commenced the five-day Professional Skill Upgradation Course (PSUC) Program on Monday, 28 August 2023. The program aimed to offer dynamic training to enhance the professional skills of 45 Indian Forest Service (IFS) officers representing 12 States and Union Territories. The event's inauguration witnessed the esteemed presence of Chief Guest Bharat Jyoti, IFS, Director, IGNFA and Course Director, Prof. Tulsi Das, IGNFA.
In his address to the officers, Bharat Jyoti said, "The realm of forestry has evolved beyond its traditional boundaries, encompassing wildlife, the environment, issues of environmental pollution, and the complexities of climate change. Your every action will play a pivotal role in shaping the landscape transformations that are destined to unfold over the next three to five decades".
Emphasizing the need for this kind of training program, Dr. K. Ravichandran, Director, IIFM stated, "As foresters, we are responsible for meeting society's demands and aspirations. The Management module within this course is purposefully designed to enhance your managerial skills, providing you with a distinct advantage in your field.'' He added, "IIFM is collaborating with various state forest departments and advancing as the foremost global institute in the realm of forestry."
Following the inauguration, the first day of the program featured an insightful lecture on "Leadership and Managing Teams for Effective Communication" and "Understanding Self & Others: Motivation for Excellence" by Prof. Som Sekhar Bhattacharyya from IIM Nagpur, while Prof. Manish Yadav of NLIU, Bhopal shed light on the topic of "Contract Management". Throughout this engaging program, the officers will embark on visits to the state's natural heritage sites. The vote of thanks was proposed by Prof. Ujjal Sarma, CAO, IIFM.
During this five-day training program, the officers will receive training from distinguished personalities of the country on various subjects.
These include Change Management, Strategic Communication, Team Building, Public Policy Formulation, Managing Change, Emotional Intelligence and work Efficiency, Project Management, Effective Implementation of CAMPA activities, Stress Management, etc.