Insights from the Hon’ble Vice-Chancellor’s Visit to Samtse College of Education

Samtse College of Education (SCE) had the honour of hosting Dasho Chewang Rinzin, Hon’ble Vice-Chancellor of the Royal University of Bhutan, from 22 March – 24 March 2026. The visit aimed to strengthen academic excellence and inspire the college community, reflecting the Royal University of Bhutan’s commitment to advancing quality education in alignment with Bhutan’s national visions, sustainable development, and the cultivation of responsible citizens.

On 23 March 2026 Dasho had a series of sessions involving students and staff, during which Dasho shared his vision for a resilient, forward-looking, and globally engaged education system grounded in Bhutanese values and identity.

The first session, held in the college auditorium, commenced with a welcome address by a B.Ed councillor . In his keynote address, Dasho reflected on global political developments and Bhutan’s position within this evolving landscape. He highlighted the vulnerability of small nations such as Bhutan to global challenges, particularly the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, pandemics, climate change etc., and emphasised the importance of preparedness and responsible action. Drawing on an analogy inspired by His Majesty’s vision, Dasho underscored the need for Bhutan to act with foresight and wisdom. The session concluded with reflections and a vote of thanks delivered by the M.Ed programme councillor .

The second session, conducted with a second group of students, centred on personal and academic development. Dasho emphasised the importance of adaptability, a strong reading culture, and lifelong learning. He reminded future educators that effective teaching requires continuous knowledge-building. Addressing classroom practices, he reflected on the benefits of the no-phone policy and cautioned against overreliance on artificial intelligence, noting its potential impact on critical thinking if used uncritically. Recalling a previous visit, Dasho shared a student’s question on contributing to nation-building. His response—“excel in what we do and act responsibly”—resonated strongly with the audience, reinforcing the Bhutanese values of integrity, accountability, and service to the Tsa-Wa-Sum. The session concluded with an interactive question-and-answer segment, followed by a vote of thanks from the Vice Chief Councillor .

The sessions with staff and faculty, focused on institutional development and professional responsibility. Dasho underscored the importance of fostering a positive institutional culture that promotes collaboration, innovation, and service to the nation. He highlighted the role of higher education institutions in Bhutan as catalysts for national development and reaffirmed the University’s core value of “Excellence”.

The visit concluded with a renewed sense of purpose and collective responsibility among the SCE community. Dasho’s insights reaffirmed the vital role of higher education in Bhutan in shaping competent, ethical, and reflective educators. Samtse College of Education remains committed to nurturing future teachers who will contribute meaningfully to Bhutan’s education system and national development.