RTC Happenings
On the 4th and 5th of June, Royal Thimphu College was honored to host the International Conference on Leveraging Cultural Diversity in collaboration with Helvetas Swiss Intercooperation and with support from the European Union.
The Director of RTC, Dasho Tenzing Yonten, welcomed a packed auditorium of students, faculty, observers, conference participants, and honored guests. Following the welcome address, Dasho Karma Ura of the Center for Bhutan Studies gave the keynote address in which he focused on the theme of culture in economy, history, politics, and education. Besides the addresses, the highlight of the inaugural session was the cultural performances of the ethnic groups in focus for the conference: the Lhops from Lotokuchu Village and the Rais of Lumbay Village in Samste, and a group from Nganglatrong Village in Zhemgang.
The technical sessions of the first day ranged in scope from the development of Zorig Chhusum in Bhutan to studies of the various ethnic groups by anthropologists, ethnomusicologists, sociologists, and other disciplines. In the last session of the day, various musical performances brought some variety to the academic presentations and was well-received by the audience.
The second day’s focus was more on applying cultural leverage for socio-economic development and multicultural awareness. Sessions during this day included several case studies from similar development projects in India and Nepal. In the afternoon, roundtable discussions provided an opportunity for more interaction amongst the audience and presenters alike. The last session was especially enriching as it was an opportunity for community members from Lumbay, Lotokuchu, Khengkhar, and Nganglatrong to share their stories and experience. Many in the audience – including the Bhutanese – were unfamiliar with these groups, languages, and cultural traditions and were more enlightened after the session.
The end of the second day offered a plethora of cultural experiences that many in the conference expressed was their favorite part of the two days. There was an indigenous foods demonstration which included many exotic foods not found in most of Bhutan, a handicrafts demonstration by members of the Khengkhar community, an offering of products by Tarayana, and musical performances from the communities of Lotokuchu, Nganglatrong, Lumbay, and two groups from the Kirat culture of Dagana. Dr. Karma Phuntsho gave the closing address in which he focused on the intangibles of culture and the promotion of community participation in cultural preservation. He also echoed many discussions within the academic portions of the conference when he argued that culture is a fluid and dynamic process. The cultural events and closing dinner was also honored by the presence of the Secretary of Education Aum Sangay Zam and Vice Chancellor of the Royal University of Bhutan, Dasho Pema Thinley.
- Matthew Schuelka, Lead Rapporteur
On May 24 and 25, RTC was honoured to host 10 Google employees from regional offices in Asia (India, Japan, Singapore, Australia, etc). They were part of a group of 61 “Googlers” who were in Bhutan as part of Google Employees’ Volunteer initiative, and presented several informative workshops and seminars to students, staff and faculty over the 1.5 days.
Will and Isa, kicked off the program by a short introduction to Google to a packed auditorium. They explained that Google is only 15 years old, and although founded by two PhD students at Stanford, it had now had grown to a company of over 40,000 employees in more than 45 countries. They also enlightened the audience as to how Google got its name – a mathematical term that refers to a very large number (1 followed by 100 zeros).
The workshops covered areas such as marketing and online branding (Gap and Sana), the use of technology in education (Jo, Stacey, Martin and Josh), programming (Nikita) and also included an all day leadership seminar for student leaders and staff (Will and Sara). Sessions were also held with faculty and staff to share expertise in areas of program content improvement and technology based learning interventions. The wrap up session on Saturday with RTC administration, focused on ways that Google could continue a relationship with RTC.
Students were enthusiastic during the sessions and obtained much needed mentoring from “Googlers” in a range of areas. Staff and faculty also felt that the sessions were rather positive for improving teaching and learning at RTC. All in all, Google’s presence at RTC was inspirational to students, staff and faculty, and it is hoped that the visit planted the seeds for a long-standing and fruitful association with RTC. яндекс
22nd May 2013 – Under RTC’s semester theme of Living Free - Without Tobacco & Drugs, the Advocacy & Outreach Committee in collaboration with the Bhutan Narcotics Control Agency (BNCA) organized WINDS OF CHANGE – VOICES & FACES OF RECOVERY, a forum of drug addiction & recovery.
The forum comprisedof two recovering addicts, Mr. Tshewang Tenzin, a member of Chithuen Phendhey Association & Ms. Dechen Wangmo, Peer Counselor, Rehabilitation Center, who shared their experiences and their transformation from addiction towards recovery. Their stories were truly inspirational. At the end of their talks, they thanked RTC and the audience for being a part of their recovering process. The forum also witnessed Dr. Nirola, Psychiatrist, JDWNRH who spoke from a health perspective and shared about prevention, as well as, the treatment process for addictions. Lama Shenphen, on the other hand, spoke on drug addiction from a spiritual perspective. The last speaker of the forum, Mr. Sonam Jamtsho, Deputy Chief Counselor, BNCA spoke on the mandates of BNCA as well as shared facts and figures on drug addiction in Bhutan. The inspirational forum ended with an interactive Q&A session.
This forum was consistent with RTC’s emphasis on respect for self and others as both tobacco and drug use not only seriously undermines a person’s health but also create problems for the broader community. It also is consistent with the college’s emphasis on responsible citizenship, as it encourages behavior aligned with laws (especially the Tobacco Control Act) intended to promote the health and welfare of all Bhutanese citizens.
RTC hopes to continue organizing such informative and educational forums and events in the near future, which will not only benefit students but also the public in general.