With a vision of 'inspiring education in Bhutan', the Royal Thimphu College was founded with the aim of providing an alternative to exam-centered, textbook-based learning that would inspire the students to achieve their full potential and also positively affect changes in the landscape of tertiary education in the kingdom.
RTC's mission is to produce graduates who are well-rounded, life-long learners and therefore challenge its students to think critically, act independently, and be responsible for their own learning. Therefore, it has made enhanced efforts towards the development of skills in communication, analysis, critical thinking, problem-solving, etc., as well as providing opportunities for internships and on-campus jobs. There is a strong support system for students through programmes such as the 'Orientation to College Learning' programme that helps students adjust to college life as well as faculty advice, personal counseling, a Learning Resources Center (LRC) for tutoring, and a Career Development Office. The directly elected student government body plans and runs most of the student activities.
RTC constantly develops and introduces courses to address specific learner needs such as the recently introduced courses in BA Anthropology, BA Mass Communication, and BSc Nursing, all of which were introduced in 2018, thereby opening up new avenues to graduates in these fields.
RTC's partnership with SEISA University in Japan provides a mutual exchange of students across campuses in addition to exchange agreements with institutes in Switzerland, Canada, and the USA (Texas A & M, Kingsville). Our award-winning semester-long programme brings students from Wheaton College, USA to RTC every semester. These institutional linkages provide opportunities to students for international learning and exposure.
In the past, the college has hosted talks by distinguished leaders such as the then Prime Minister, Opposition leader, and Chief Justice amongst others -celebrated authors, government officials, renowned academics, and business leaders. More recently, in July 2019, RTC was the chosen venue for the second biannual Bhutan Economic Forum for Innovative Transformation (BEFIT), a national platform that brings together international and local expertise to share best practices and come up with innovative solutions.
The college provides scholarships to over 50 students, with annual support of approximately US$ 100,000. Many students come from families who find it extremely difficult to pay tuition, and some don't apply due to financial constraints.
To enable more highly qualified but needy students to enroll at RTC, the college has set up the RTC Scholarship Fund. The proceeds help finance students from under-privileged and under-represented backgrounds.
Contributions can be made in cash or through bank wire transfers. US donors can contribute through the Bhutan Foundation for tax benefits.