In recent years, a growing number of Bhutanese have been leaving for higher studies abroad, especially in Australia. But the Royal Institute of Management has also seen a steady rise in Master of Business Administration enrolments for three consecutive years. This year recorded the highest intake, reflecting a growing preference for upgrading their education within the country.
The Royal Institute of Management saw 46 students in 2023 and 89 last year pursuing the master’s degree. The number nearly doubled this year.
The Master of Business Administration or MBA degree was launched in 2014 in collaboration with Australia’s University of Canberra to provide higher education opportunities for Bhutanese students.
Meanwhile, some students said that the programme’s standard, which is on par with the University of Canberra, along with its affordable fees and convenient location, are some of the key factors for their rising enrollment.
“If you look at the course fees at the University of Canberra in Australia, it is much more affordable here. But after joining RIM and being in this course for some time now, I feel it is quite diverse. When you look at how the transformation has taken place and how you can apply that knowledge in your field, it provides valuable insights into human capital management and decision-making,” said Ram Chandra, an MBA student at RIM.
“In terms of fees, pursuing an MBA at RIM is more affordable compared to other countries. Moreover, we have the opportunity to work and study at the same time, which is very convenient for us,” said Kesang Yuden, an MBA student at RIM.
“Firstly, if we go overseas, we will have to leave our children and relatives behind. Secondly, we do not feel comfortable leaving our jobs in the country and traveling abroad. Therefore, I am pursuing my master’s here,” said Karma Gyeltshen, an MBA student at RIM.
Currently, students pay Nu 278,000 for the one-and-half-year course. However, the fee is expected to increase soon.
Additionally, the RIM plans to launch the Master of Professional Accounting programme in January next year to further enhance master’s-level education in the country.
And with Australia tightening its visa rules, more might join the institute since students above 35 years of age will no longer get the Work Visa in Australia.
To discuss more on the story, our reporter Kinzang Lhadon spoke with the Director of the Royal Institute of Management, Tshering Yangden.
