The Prime Minister with the education minister at the launch Photo: BO

The foundation to internationalise Bhutan’s education system is now laid.

The tertiary education policy (TEP), which was launched yesterday by the prime minister, will now open new doors for students, both Bhutanese and international to pursue higher education in areas, such as GNH studies, IT, environment, Buddhist studies, cultural studies and traditional medicine.

“The TEP policy is a road map for the development and expansion of tertiary education in the country,” the education minister, Lyonpo Thakur Singh Powdyel said. “The wish of the country is to develop Bhutan into a knowledge hub, and making Bhutan an IT enabled knowledge society.”

Lyonpo said that the policy would favour programmes that would further advance the economic and social needs of the country. “There will be programmes that will support the economic development aspirations of the country, as well as socially oriented programmes that will support the holistic development of the country,” he said.

The 112-page policy states that, although it requires huge investments, the programmes, which could specifically prepare Bhutanese and others for employment in the world market, are information and technology and bio-technology.

A tertiary education performance compact was signed between the education minister and the prime minister yesterday, as a part of the “fast track initiatives” that the government has taken to accelerate Bhutan’s socio economic development.

With the compact signed, the education ministry has committed to achieve the targets of establishing a tertiary education board, Bhutan accreditation council, quality assurance and accreditation division and strengethen DAHE by 2013.

The ministry would also develop rules and regulations for establishment of private tertiary education institutions and attract two to three international and local players to Bhutan.

By 2013, the ministry would have defined funding mechanisms for public tertiary institutions and students and make tertiary education accessible to vocational institute graduates.

To develop an international market, Bhutan could base its programmes, from bachelor’s degree to the post doctorate level, on its cultural, physical and spiritual environment, widespread use of English and its use as the medium of instruction and political stability.

While this may draw students from the region and developed countries, Bhutan is aware that there is tough competition from established international players. “One possibility is to enter into collaborative ventures with established systems,” the policy, approved with an executive order about a month ago states.

Inadequate e-infrastructure, high cost of setting up a specialist educational centre and financial infrastructure not conducive to foreign investment are other challenges that Bhutan needs to overcome to become an international education hub.

Tertiary education, which comprise of universities, colleges and specialised institutes should be learner centred, with focus on the needs of students, to ensure that they acquire knowledge and skills relevant to employers and society.

“They must offer a diversity of subject areas and cover diploma, undergraduate, postgraduate and research levels,” states the policy. Other characteristics include innovation, adaptable, cost effective, economically viable and socially responsible.

Different modes of studying such as full time, part time, short duration, online and distance learning are also supported by the policy.

A tertiary education board (TEB), chaired by the education minister, would be established to review and set goals, develop strategies to meet goals and validate and approve all plans and proposals for allocation of funds.

Besides class XII students, the policy targets tertiary education for school leavers, vocational school graduates and class XII students, who have been employed, but who wish to enter tertiary education.

Some of the strategies to make Bhutan a knowledge based society are instituting loans and scholarships schemes to expand the scope of participation in tertiary education, establish a quality assurance system for both private and public institutions, develop Bhutan qualification framework that classifies all types of courses and programs, establish a Bhutan accreditation council and to create an annual performance contract between the tertiary education board by outlining expected targets.

Vice chancellor of the royal university of Bhutan, Dasho (Dr) Pema Thinley, said that, with the policy in place, there is a broader provision for private participation. “We’ll see many more players, there will be competition and the quality and range of programs thats on offer to the development of human potential would be more,” the vice chancellor said. Source: Kuenselonline