Darjeeling, July 4: The Himalayan Mountaineering Institute has been nominated as a member of the training commission of the Switzerland-headquartered Union Internationale Des AssociationD’ Alpinisme (UIAA), a global body that frames rules and policies on climbing.
As a member of the training commission, the institute will have a role in evaluating and certifying the training courses and methods of all mountaineering institutes and clubs affiliated to the UIAA across the globe.
The institute had been made a member of the UIAA, which is also known as the International Mountaineering and Climbing Federation, in 2010.
The principal of the institute, Col Neeraj Rana, will be part of the seven-member training committee.
“The training commission will have to travel across the globe and evaluate the training schedules of various institutes and certify them according to the norms of the UIAA,” said Rana.
An approval by the training commission will mean that the certificates issued by the institute/club will be recognised globally.
The UIAA also lays down training standards to be followed world wide and recommends equipment for mountaineering and certifies them as safe.
All new climbing techniques have to be approved by the UIAA.
“The training commission will also evaluate the training process of the institute soon. The dates for the inspection of the institute will be finalised at the UIAA governing council’s meeting, which is scheduled to take place in Kathmandu from October 6 to 9,” said Rana.
The foundation stone of the Darjeeling climb school was laid in November 1954.
Source: http://www.telegraphindia.com/1110705/jsp/northeast/story_14197025.jsp