Erasmus+

Royal Thimphu College sent their first Erasmus teaching and training staff to Bhaktivedanta College, Hungary. It was an amusing experience for our participants Mr. Dawa Tashi, Mr. Sonam and Mr. Tandin Wangchuk. They marked the beginning of our new partnership with Bhaktivedanta College. During their stay in Bhaktivedanta College, they have been able to share a lot about Bhutan and its leading philosophy: Gross National Happiness to the students at Bhaktivedanta College. Aside from the teachings, they visited the Basilica and 3D garden of Hungarian historical leaders. They also had the opportunity to visit the Krishna Valley eco-community, where they learned about high school curriculum, spiritual living space and subsistence farming/sustainability, which they call, "simple living, high thinking". Their teaching and learning experience has been reciprocal, allowing them to cherish the intercultural exchange and the uniqueness of both the cultures. This marked the beginning of a new partnership and stage for future collaboration.

From April 3–8, 2025, a group of faculties from Royal Thimphu College (RTC) participated in the Staff Week hosted by Budapest Metropolitan University (METU), Hungary, as part of the Erasmus+ mobility programme. The visit began with participation in paper presentations by PhD students from partner universities on topics related to growth convergence within transitional economies and the EU. Over the following days, they joined a series of sessions at METU's Infopark campus—Hungary's leading innovation hub. Mr. Arindam Ghosh presented on Bhutan, Mrs. Sonal Mehta introduced RTC's newly launched Summer School Programme, and Mr. Sanjeev Mehta shared insights on digitization challenges in the education sector. The sessions offered a rich exchange of ideas. The programme also featured an online class by Mr. Sanjeev Mehta on Gross National Happiness and the Gelephu Mindfulness City Project, attended by international colleagues. They engaged in presentations from other participating universities on their new ventures and digitalization initiatives. To conclude, participants enjoyed a guided cultural walking tour of Budapest, offering a glimpse into the city's history, architecture, and vibrant cultural heritage. This visit strengthened RTC's partnerships, opened avenues for collaboration, and fostered cross-cultural understanding.

Royal Thimphu College was honoured to send three faculty members—Tshewang Dorji, Hari Prasad Dhakal, and Singye Lhamo—to the Faculty of Logistics and Crisis Management at Tomas Bata University, Czech Republic, under the Erasmus+ KA1 Staff Mobility Program. The visit aimed to strengthen international collaboration, enhance teaching practices, and explore opportunities for future academic partnerships. During the two-week programme, the RTC team delivered lectures to undergraduate and graduate students on climate science, environmental governance, GIS applications, community-based adaptation strategies, and Bhutan's GNH framework. They also presented at research seminars attended by senior researchers, environmentalists, and university professors, highlighting Bhutan's climate change scenarios and related environmental challenges. Apart from academic engagements, the faculty participated in field visits, research exhibitions, and cultural exchange activities, including guided tours of South Moravia, the University's Center for Polymer Systems, local zoos, and the landscapes of Zlín, which enriched their understanding of Czech research and culture. The mobility also facilitated strategic discussions on expanding KA1 programs, faculty-led study abroad opportunities, semester-long student exchanges, and prospective KA2 partnerships focused on educational technology, joint research, and faculty training. Both institutions expressed strong interest in developing collaborative projects in the near future. The Erasmus+ KA1 experience provided RTC faculty with enhanced academic perspectives, deeper understanding of international research practices, and valuable insights into European educational models. The visit marks a significant step toward long-term, multidimensional collaboration benefiting students, faculty, and both institutions.

Royal Thimphu College was honoured to send Mrs. Dechen Dolkar, Registrar from the Student Service Department, and Ms. Pema Lhazom from the International Relations Office to the University of Life Sciences "King Mihai I" in Timișoara, Romania, to undertake an Erasmus+ staff mobility focused on training and participation in the Sustainable International Erasmus+ Staff Week from 11th to 17th May 2025. During their visit, Mrs. Dolkar and Ms. Lhazom actively organised and participated in the Erasmus+ Staff Week held from 12th to 16th May, a major international event promoting best practices in sustainability, education, and institutional collaboration. The week included workshops, training sessions, and knowledge exchange activities designed to foster professional development and cross-cultural learning among participating faculty and administrative staff from universities across Europe, Asia, Africa, and the Americas. In addition, they contributed to the launch of the International Cooperation Hub on Sustainability and Life Sciences, aimed at strengthening global partnerships in research, education, and innovation across continents. The visit also included the Multidisciplinary Conference on Sustainable Development held on 15th and 16th May, and the celebration of the 80th anniversary of the University of Life Sciences, providing a unique platform for networking, academic exchange, and fostering long-term collaborations. This Erasmus+ staff mobility experience offered Mrs. Dolkar and Ms. Lhazom provides invaluable insights into international sustainability practices, institutional collaboration, and multidisciplinary approaches.

Royal Thimphu College was honoured to send a group of 8 staff and faculty members to the Ljubljana School of Business, Slovenia, to participate in the International Staff Week from 19th to 23rd May 2025. The programme offered a series of insightful presentations, interactive workshops, engaging discussions, and networking opportunities, all designed to address the intersection of strategic management and global higher education in a rapidly evolving world. During the week, participants engaged in a welcome session and guided tour of Ljubljana, workshops on innovative approaches to managing higher education challenges, and networking activities exploring local culture and academic practices. The programme also included participation in the 7th Eastern European Conference of Management and Economics (EECME 2025), and attendance at the Graduation Ceremony of Erasmus Spring Semester students, concluding with closing remarks and group photographs. This mobility provided RTC staff and faculty with valuable insights into contemporary higher education management, global academic trends, and cross-cultural collaboration, strengthening their professional capacities and contributing to RTC's ongoing commitment to internationalisation and academic excellence.

Royal Thimphu College is pleased to share that Mr. Ugyen Wangchuk, Marketing Manager, and Ms. Sonam Choden, Faculty Member, successfully completed their Erasmus+ mobility at WSB University, Poland from 9th to 13th June 2025. During the mobility, Mr. Ugyen Wangchuk served as the designated representative to learn from WSB's administrative and promotional practices while sharing RTC's institutional vision and strengths. He met with the WSB International Relations Office team to exchange ideas on international cooperation, discuss best practices, and communicate RTC's mission. He also engaged closely with the WSB Marketing Department to understand their successful outreach and recruitment strategies while offering insights from RTC's marketing initiatives and experiences. Meanwhile, Ms. Sonam Choden contributed academically by delivering lectures to WSB students on International Negotiation Skills, Corporate/Business Law, and International Business. Her sessions encouraged cross-cultural academic dialogue and provided students with practical perspectives grounded in Bhutanese and global contexts. This mobility further strengthened the partnership between Royal Thimphu College and WSB University, enhancing opportunities for knowledge exchange, pedagogical development, and institutional collaboration.