Until the advent of modern education in Bhutan, the monastic education system served the spiritual and human resource needs of the country for centuries. Although two schools were started in 1915, one each in Bumthang and Haa, modern education in a more organized fashion actually began only in the late 1950s. Various colleges were later established throughout the country, and these eventually led to the establishment of the Royal University of Bhutan in 2003. The establishment of a national university was envisaged as early as the Fifth Five Year Plan (1981-1986) and it was to be named as Ugyen Wangchuck National University. The rapidly changing socio-economic development, both at home and abroad, more than ever before demand further growth and expansion of a sound tertiary education system in the country. Read more..

Download

Bhutan has grown fast in the last four decades. Education and health have been given utmost importance by the Royal Government. However, the world is changing fast and it has to develop its human resources to meet the challenges of global competitiveness and to build a knowledge based society. The modern world is characterised by knowledge, technology and innovation; therefore, it necessitates the creation of higher knowledge and competencies of people for their development and well-being. Presently Bhutan is standing at a significant point in history where it can transform itself into a knowledge based society. There is a shortage of technical and vocational skills and trained manpower. There is also a mismatch between the available jobs and required skills, resulting in unemployment. Knowledge and skills are the prime drivers of socio-economic development on the one hand and generator of employment and upward social mobility on the other. Read more…

Download

Bhutan has achieved remarkable health development since theadvent of modern health care in the early 1960’s. Bhutan hassustained primary health care coverage at above 90 % (Percentageof population within 3 hrs walking distance each way to a healthservice delivery point). Read more..

Downlaod

“I have always believed that a nation’s future is mirrored in the quality of heryouth and that it is the government’s sacred duty to provide a good educationand a conducive environment for young people to become strong, capableleaders for the future”

His Majesty, the King, Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck; Royal Address tothe Nation, National Day, 17th December 2007. Read more…

Download

The nation’s long term development is guided by the concept of maximizing Gross National Happiness. The spirit and intent of this concept as articulated in the Bhutan Vision 2020 document is to “maximise the happiness of all Bhutanese and to enable them to achieve their full and innate potential as human beings.” This is envisaged through the adoption of policies and programs that operationalizes the four pillars of GNH namely sustainable socio-economic development, conservation of natural environment, preservation of culture and good governance. Read more..

Download

In the last 50 years of planned socio-economic development, the country has progressed from the traditional stage to the precondition for economic take off. Various macroeconomic and human development indicators have improved significantly since 1980. In the first six years of the present century, the country has experienced a sharp acceleration in average annual growth rate of real GDP to 7.9% from 5.9% in the 1990s. In 2008, the country’s per capita income was US$ 21521. Read more..

Download