Royal Thimphu College
Royal Thimphu College (RTC), Bhutan's first private college, offers general degree programs under the auspices of the Royal University of Bhutan. Our objective is to contribute to educational excellence in Bhutan and to become an institute of international repute attracting outstanding students from Bhutan and abroad. The College aims to provide the best possible education to its students, while keeping fees affordable and competitive with those in the region.
The RTC campus, covering an area of 25 acres in Ngabiphu, offers a secluded and peaceful natural environment for study. At the same time, it is only a 15 - 20 minute drive from the capital city, Thimphu, which offers sports, leisure and cultural attractions as well as the potential for student internships and field trips.
RTC faculty staff hail from six different countries. Together they provide diverse and innovative teaching methods and offer students an international perspective on their studies. All of our lecturers are well qualified and dedicated to providing the best possible education for RTC students.
His Majesty's graces the Royal Thimphu College with a second visit
The Royal Thimphu College (RTC) was once again honored by the visit of His Majesty the King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck to the college on 27 March 2012. This was his second visit in the space of less than a year. His first visit, covering 5 days, was in May and June 2011. His Majesty addressed the entire student body in the auditorium followed by a discussion with the faculty in the academic block.
The deep concern of His Majesty for the youth of the country was evident in the content of his address to the students, and the discussion with the faculty. The college is thankful to His Majesty for the kind visit and the words of wisdom that he shared.
RTC Conducts its 4th Blood Donation Campaign
RTC Student Government along with the RTC administration conducted its 4th Blood Donation Campaign at the RTC campus in cooperation with the National Blood Bank on 11th April; 2012.The donors included RTC students as well as RTC faculty and staff.
Last year 148 members of the RTC community donated blood to celebrate the joyous occasion of the Royal Wedding of the His Majesty the King with the Royal Bride Ashi Jetsun Pema. This year, the Blood drive witnessed over 184 volunteers. However, due to health and fitness issues, only 122 of the donors were able to make donations.
Governor of the Royal Monetary Authority, Dasho Daw Tenzin, Visits RTC
RTC welcomed Mr.Daw Tenzin and three other senior officials on 5th April, 2012 for an informative session on the "Rupee Crisis" the country has been facing lately.
He started his talk with the history of the Bhutanese currency, the central bank's affiliation with IMF and the reasons and process of pegging the Bhutanese currency with that of the Indian Rupee.
The Governor's address to the RTC community was mainly aimed at removing misconceptions about the "rupee crisis". He explained the current problem and the steps being taken by the RMA to alleviate them. He said, "Increasing consumerism among the Bhutanese has accentuated the balance of payment problem with India".
Opposition Leader delivers talk at RTC
To further achieve RTC's mission of exposing its students to diverse ideas and to providing a platform for engagement with distinguished persons, RTC welcomed the Hon'ble Leader of the Opposition, Lyonpo Tshering Tobgay on 28th March, 2012 for an enjoyable and interactive session.
The Opposition Leader's talk on "Issues of National Importance", covered topics such as the rupee crisis, increasing income disparity, democracy, and youth-related issues. He stated that, along with the government's responsibility to work on solutions for such problems, it is also the responsibility of all Bhutanese citizens. "We must celebrate what we have - our environment, culture, law and order, good governance; but we must also recognize our responsibilities. The people of Bhutan must accept full responsibility to achieve His Majesty's vision of vibrant democracy," he said.
Lyonpo Tobgay also stated that, "The Royal Thimphu College is a microcosm of the Bhutan that I wish for - a campus full of youth, hope and positive energy. RTC is an inspiration to Bhutan".
His Eminence, Sogyal Rinpoche visits the Royal Thimphu College.
The Royal Thimphu College had the privilege and the honor of welcoming His Eminence, Sogyal Rinpoche on the evening of 20th March 2012 to share his wisdom on "The Heart Essence of Buddhism".
Sogyal Rinpoche, world-renowned Buddhist teacher from Tibet and author of the highly-acclaimed The Tibetan Book of Living and Dying, has been teaching for nearly 40 years. Rinpoche has travelled to many countries to teach and explain the Buddha's teachings with insight and compassion and humor. He has a remarkable ability to bring the universal message of ancient wisdom and traditions to a modern audience without losing any of its authenticity, purity and power.
During the talk, His Eminence created a warm atmosphere as if he were speaking directly to each individual. Rinpoche explained that Buddhism is perfectly suited for the modern world. He stated that we all seek happiness and so must attain inner peace. With inner peace, even if we undergo suffering, our mind can remain calm. He explained the importance of practicing good heart, "If you can't help, at least don't harm--concern for others makes you a good human being".
Ten RTC students in Japan for 2 week cultural exchange
As part of the academic partnership between the Royal Thimphu College and SEISA University of Japan, 10 RTC students accompanied by a faculty member are in Japan on a 2 week cultural visit from 6 – 23 February 2012.
With the goal of providing a well-rounded, global education in Bhutan, RTC had signed an MOU for academic and educational cooperation with the SEISA University Group of Japan in September 2010. Through such mutual exchanges and visits, the college hopes to provide global exposure to its students as well as develop friendship and cooperation among citizens of the two countries.
HONORABLE PRIME MINISTER, LYONCHEN JIGME Y. THINLEY VISITS RTC
The Royal Thimphu College welcomed the Honorable Prime Minister, Lyonchen Jigme Y. Thinley on 23rd November 2011 to deliver a talk and interact with the RTC students and staff. His Excellency, Lyonchen Jigme Y. Thinley, is known for his long and dedicated service to Bhutan and as one of the great visionaries of the country.
During his talk, the Honorable Lyonchen congratulated the RTC community for having greatly impressed His Majesty the King during his visit to RTC in May and June this year. He mentioned that His Majesty was impressed by the quality of RTCs diverse faculty, as well as of the colleges students and its leadership. His Excellency expressed his delight at visiting RTC. He stated that although RTC is only 3 years old it has set a high bar in terms of infrastructure, facilities, diverse and talented faculty, student services and curriculum.
He pointed out that Bhutan is often referred to as the land of happiness. However, he said that he makes no claim that everyone in the country is happy. Rather, he indicated that the government aspires to create conditions that will facilitate individuals achievement of happiness. He then briefly discussed the four pillars of GNH, their domains and indicators. He stated GNH is no longer a subject of curiosity. Rather, GNH today is known worldwide as a holistic, sustainable and inclusive model of development.
His Excellency, Lyonpo Thakur Singh Powdyel Visits the Royal Thimphu College
As a part of the mission of Royal Thimphu College to expose its students to as wide a variety of ideas as possible and to provide platforms for students to listen and engage with distinguished persons from various walks of life, RTC welcomed His Excellency, Lyonpo Thakur Singh Powdyel, the Minister of Education, on Wednesday, 9th November 2011.
RTC CONDUCTS A CLEANING CAMPAIGN
On 30th of October, 2011, the staff and students of the Royal Thimphu College gathered for a mass cleaning campaign in Thimphu city. The campaign was motivated by the sense of caring and desire to help preserve the environment of the RTC family. The campaign was a good opportunity for RTC to work on eradicating a major contributor to environmental destruction, land pollution, thus inspiring other members of the community with a sense of civic responsibility.
BUDDHIST TALK BY VENERABLE AJAHN JAYASARO AT RTC
On 28th October 2011, the Royal Thimphu College was blessed with the presence of Venerable Ajahn Jayasaro. Born in England, Ajahn Jayasaros interest in Buddhism guided him towards ordination as a Buddhist monk. He is known worldwide as a Meditation Master and is renowned for his impressive speeches, including his talk to UNESCO in Paris on Education for Non-Violence, Solidarity and Happiness.
INTER COLLEGE DEBATE COMPETITION
THE ROYAL THIMPHU COLLEGE JOINS THE NATION IN CELEBRATING THE ROYAL WEDDING
22 September 2011- In addition to the Blood Donation Campaign and the Celebration Run organized by the Royal Thimphu College to mark the upcoming Royal Wedding, RTC organized an Inter-College Debate Competition. As part of RTCs continuous efforts to stimulate wider learning, to promote a culture of meaningful public discourse, and to help find solutions for the major challenges facing the country, the College intends to hold an Inter-College Debate Competition annually. The overarching theme of the annual debates is "Transforming Higher Education through Reasoned Public Discourse".
RTC Celebration Run to commemorate the Royal Wedding
"When the Royal Hearts meet, the Nation rejoices"
10th September 2011 : The RTC Student Government organized a half day Celebration Run to celebrate and honor the forthcoming Royal Wedding. The students and staff of the Royal Thimphu College marked the Royal Wedding between His Majesty the King and the Royal Bride Ashi Jetsun Pema on 13th October 2011 by taking part in the 10 km RTC Celebration run. The Run was also supported by the BAAF officials.
His Majesty, the 5th Druk Gyalpo of Bhutan, Visits Royal Thimphu College.
The Royal Thimphu College was recently honored by visits from His Majesty the King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck that spanned the morning of 5 days from 31st May until the 6th of June. Accompanied by Ashi Jetsun Pema, His Majesty was greeted on arrival by the RTC Director, faculty and staff. Reflecting his concern for the youth of Bhutan, His Majesty chose to visit each and every class to have private conversations with small groups of students. The College Director, greatly honored by His Majesty’s extended visit, said, “It was indeed our pleasure to receive His Majesty, Ashi Jetsun Pema, and their Royal Delegation. We are immensely gratified for His Majesty’s gesture for including Royal Thimphu College in his busy official schedule, and for his favorable comments about RTC.”
HIS EMINENCE KALU RINPOCHE VISITS THE ROYAL THIMPHU COLLEGE
On 24th June 2011, the members of RTC were blessed with His Eminence Kalu Rinpoche's presence amongst them. Kalu Rinpoche was welcomed by the staff & students of RTC with full admiration and enthusiasm. It was indeed a privilege as Rinpoche declared that he was visiting Bhutan after 2 years , and his talk at RTC was his first one in Bhutan. His Eminence Kalu Rinpoche was born in 1990 and was officially recognized by Situ Rinpoche and the Dalai Lama and enthroned in 1993. Young Yangsi Kalu Rinpoche inspired everyone who met him with his gentle and loving presence. His Eminence Kalu Rinpoche's principle is to benefit all beings, through his commitments to keep alive the transmissions of the Shangpa and Karma Kagyu lineages, ensuring that the precious teachings remain available to those who seek to walk upon the Path to Liberation.”