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Sonam Wangchuck

Founder of Student’s Educational & Cultural Movement of Ladakh (SECMOL)., noted Engineer, Educationist and environmentalist. Winner of Magsaysay and Rolex Award . The inspiration for the character Phunsukh Wangdu in Rajkumar Hirani’s 3 Idiots.
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About Sonam Wangchuck Motivational Speaker

Sonam Wangchuk Winner of Ramon Magsaysay Award 2018 is India's most renowned Educationist, Environmentalist and Innovator.

Sonam is the Founder Founder of Student’s Educational & Cultural Movement of Ladakh (SECMOL). which  aims  to  bring  reforms  in  the  government  school  system  in  Ladakh. In 1994 he was instrumental in the launch of Operation New Hope, a triangular  collaboration  of  the  government,  village  communities  and  the  civil  society  to  bring  reforms  in  the  government  schools  system.  The  programmed  involved  formation  of  Village Education Committees to take ownership of state schools, training of teachers in  child friendly ways and re­writing and publishing localised text books for Ladakh. As a  result the pass percentage at 10th grade (matriculation) rose from the dismal 5% to 55%  in seven years and 75% these days.  

For students who still failed in their state exams he founded the SECMOL Alternative  School Campus near Leh, a special school where the admission criteria is failure in  exams and not grades. However with the supportive and creative environment at the  school,  the  so  called  failures  have  excelled  in  their  chosen  fields  and  risen  to  international acclaim as entrepreneurs, film makers, politicians, teachers and so on.

​As  an  engineer  Sonam  Wangchuk  has  been  teaching  innovation  at  the  SECMOL  Alternative School, where together with the students he designed and built solar heated  buildings that are low cost, made of earth/mud but maintain +15 C even when the  outside temperature is – 25 C in Ladakhi winters.  

In order to solve the water crisis facing mountain regions due to climate change and fast  melting glaciers he invented the Ice Stupa artificial glacier which stores the wasting  stream waters in winter in the form of giant ice cones or stupas and release the water in  late spring as they melt... just when farmers need water.  

SECMOL Campus is a special eco-village where students, staff and volunteers live, work and learn together. It’s not a conventional school, but a place to pursue practical, environmental, social and traditional knowledge, values and skills. The Campus is solar powered and solar heated; students learn ancient Ladakhi songs, dance and history alongside modern academic knowledge; and the students mainly manage, run and maintain the campus.

Sonam Wangchuk is helping farmers in the arid Himalayan highlands of Ladakh to overcome water shortages by tapping meltwaters to build artificial glaciers.With his Rolex Award funds he intends to create up to 20 ice stupas, each 30 metres high, and initiate a substantial tree-planting programme on the desert near their school once the new water supply system is established.

Wangchuk believes that education and care for the environment go hand in hand. In addition to his work with young people at SECMOL, the Students’ Educational and Cultural Movement of Ladakh, through its Alternative School he has started work on establishing an alternative university in the same area. His objective is to engage young people from the Himalayas and beyond in eco-solutions for mountain areas.

Sonam Wangchuck is a highly respected and dynamic motivational speaker, reaching audiences of thousands and acting as a practical evangelist on how to navigate from the world’s biggest environmental, educational and social challenges.In his motivational talks Sonam provides a new road-map, helping audiences create a more prosperous business, economy and world.​

AWARDS & RECOGNITION

Sonam Wangchuk was granted several awards and titles, such as : 
  • Ramon Magsaysay Award 2018
  • ​Rolex Award for Enterprise 2016
  • UNESCO Chair for  Earthen Architecture for India 2014,
  • Game Changers Award by Human Resource Club  2014,: ‘
  • Real Heroes’ Award by CNN IBN Channel in 2008, ‘
  • Green Teacher’ Award by  Sanctuary Asia Magazine in 2005, Ashoka Fellowship by Ashoka: Innovators for the  Public in 2002,
  • Man of the Year’ by The Week magazine in India in 2001 and the  Governors Medal by the J&K State Government in 1996.
​To book Sonam Wangchuck as the Motivational speaker for your event simply complete the online form. For more information regarding any of the Motivational speaker’s on our roster contact Simply Life India Speakers Bureau directly on: +91 8652835000 or [email protected]

Sonam Wangchuck Speech Topics

Sonam Wangchuck is an accomplished, engaging motivational speaker. He’s given keynotes and moderated panel discussions in front of audiences of all types and sizes, from small meetings of the top executives at a corporation to large conference keynotes in front of thousands of people. Sonam relies on his real-world experience and comfort on stage to bring a relaxed (and often humorous) style to his presentations on the overlap of business and environment.
  • Environment
  • Education
  • Motivation
  • ​Inspiration

Sonam Wangchuck - Speaking Videos
Contact Simply Life India Speakers Bureau to learn how you can Book Sonam Wangchuck , renowned Engineer, Educationist and Environmentalist as the Motivational Keynote speaker for your Events and Conferences in India.

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​​To book Sonam Wangchuck as the Motivational speaker for your event simply complete the online form. For more information regarding any of the Motivational speaker’s on our roster contact Simply Life India Speakers Bureau directly on: +91 8652835000 or [email protected]

​Sonam Wangchuk wins Rolex Award for Enterprise

Sonam Wangchuk  was chosen for his work on building artificial glaciers that supply irrigation water during the times of drought