Leadership comes with responsibility, but many student leaders take on the role with little formal preparation. To change that, Sherubtse College is now home to the University Students Leadership Development Centre, the first dedicated centre to train student leaders from colleges under the Royal University of Bhutan.
The weeklong inaugural programme brought together 95 student leaders from across the country.
Over the past week, they took part in sessions on leadership, communication, decision-making, time management, meditation and Driglam Namzha, skills aimed at helping them lead with confidence while balancing academic and leadership responsibilities.
Participants say the training gave them practical tools to manage challenges they encounter as student leaders and prepared them to better support their peers.
“When I was in college, I found it difficult to balance my studies with my responsibilities as a student leader. After attending this programme, I learned how to manage my time and cope with work-related stress. These skills will not only help me lead and support my fellow students, but they will also benefit me throughout my life,” said Sherub Wangchuk, Student, Gedu College of Business Studies.
“A few months ago, I went to schools for our teaching practice, where we faced many challenges. Through this programme, I learned the importance of self-motivation and how, as a leader, we should not only motivate ourselves but also inspire our entire team. For example, when we work with slow-learning students, instead of giving up on them, now I learn how to encourage and motivate them to do better,” said Jigme Yangchen, Student, Paro College of Education.
Along with the centre’s inauguration, a leadership training course booklet was also launched.
The centre builds on Sherubtse College’s Student Leadership Programme, which has been running for more than a decade.
Officials say it will serve as a permanent platform to nurture responsible and capable student leaders beyond campus.
Sonam Darjay, Trashigang
Edited by Sonam Pem
