The very first batch of Quest University students along with a fresh batch of Wheaton students joined Royal Thimphu College for the spring semester. The group this year totals 14 students, 2 from Quest University, Canada & 12 from Wheaton College in Norton, Massachusetts accompanied by Wheaton’s Program Director.

The international students will experience living and studying at Royal Thimphu College until the end of the semester. They live in the residence halls with regular students and are actively involved in activities at RTC.

During their 4 months stay, the international students take a course on “Contemporary Bhutanese Society” where they attend talks and get to interact with various leaders from all walks of life in Bhutan. They also take an introductory Dzongkha course along with a regular course offered by the college. In addition, they also get the opportunity to intern at various Civil Society Organizations (CSO), NGOs & private institutions. To enhance their knowledge of Bhutanese culture and society, the students also take weekend trips in Thimphu and other Dzongkhags. 

This cultural exchange program is a part of RTC’s academic partnership with Wheaton College and Quest University. RTC has been receiving students from Wheaton every semester since 2010 but is receiving the very first batch of students from Quest this year. 

RTC is delighted to congratulate our Dean, Dr. Shivaraj Bhattarai for being awarded the Life Time Service Award (Gold) for Dedicated Service from His Majesty the King during the 106th National Day Celebration this year on December 16th.

Prior to joining RTC in 2008, Dr. Shivaraj taught at Sherubtse College (the lone university college in Bhutan till recent times) for over 17 years. He has an MSc in Bio-Science and a PhD in Limnology (freshwater ecology) and has several research publications to his credit. Dr. Bhattarai taught Life Sciences subjects at the Undergraduate and Class XII levels from 1991-2008 at Sherubtse College. He headed the Department of of Zoology for over 10 years before serving as Dean of Academic Affairs from 2007-2008 at Sherubtse College, and as Dean of Academic Affairs since 2008 at Royal Thimphu College. He has also undertaken numerous individual and group research projects including supervision of student research carried out during the teaching tenure in addition to research for the PhD. In his role as Dean in the academic management of RTC, he received a Certificate in “Recognition of exceptional commitment and outstanding services in the development of RTC” during the First RTC Graduation Ceremony from HRH Ashi Kesang Wangmo Wangchuck. As the Academic Dean of the first private college in the country he has played an instrumental role in setting up the academic department and establishing the culture of learning, collaboration and excellence that has come to characterize the faculty environment at RTC. 

We congratulate and thank him for his service and dedication and wish him the best. 

"What is Democracy? Democracy is not just about voting. Democracy is about knowing who will make a better leader, a better government and it’s about exercising your rights as a responsible citizen' said Dr. Karma Phuntsho during the one of the Guest Series held on October 23, 2013.

Dr. Karma’s Phuntsho also talked about his perspectives on the religious personalities not having given the right to vote. He emphasized on the country’s history and how the country was founded by religious leaders like Zhabdrung in the past. Being a Buddhist country, monks and religious persons are consulted every time someone starts a business or to ward off evil spirits or when making a decision but these religious people are excluded when the country is making its biggest decision.  He said that this could be a perhaps the most controversial clause in the country’s electoral law.

Overall, it was an interesting and interactive talk and we hope to continue hosting talks like these in the future.