Exactly 15 months ago, on 25 March 2020, Royal Institute for Governance and Strategic Studies (RIGSS) became the COVID-19 Control Centre in Phuentsholing and the Southern COVID-19 Task Force started operations from here as per Royal Command of His Majesty The King. Since then His Majesty visited the institute on numerous occasions and guided the work of the Task Force to enhance preparedness, ensure continuity of supply chain and strengthen border security. The RIGSS Coronation Hostel in Rinchending was also converted into the COVID-19 Isolation Centre for Phuentsholing as per Royal Command. The Prime Minister, Health Minister and other members of the Cabinet also visited the Centre on many occasions and interacted with the members of the Task Force. The members of the Task Force and the Centre’s staff have worked tirelessly for the last 15 months, sometimes under very trying circumstances. They have also submitted to His Majesty The King on several occasions their allegiance to serve the country to the best of their abilities, especially during times like today. Since the institute could not organize its regular programs in campus given the situation in Phuentsholing, half the staff shifted base to Tsirang recently to launch a two-week leadership course for school leaders in the country. The inaugural course concluded on 13th June and 25 school leaders successfully completed the training. The second batch starts on 27th June. Conducted in collaboration with the Ministry of Education, the institute aims to train all school leaders in the country within 2022 as a contribution towards the larger education reforms called for by His Majesty The King. Like the rest of the nation and the world at large, those serving at the institute, including members of the Southern COVID-19 Task Force, remain indebted to and inspired by the unprecedented vision, service and leadership of His Majesty The King at all times. Source: RIGSS Facebook Page