Norbuling Rigter College, the private college for the study of Business Administration and Commerce in Paro was officially inaugurated on May 4.
The college came into existence after it met the requirements outlined by the Tertiary Education Board and Royal University of Bhutan (RUB). With 70 undergraduate students and 10 faculties, the college launched its first semester in July last year.
Kuen-Gaa High School has been re-developed as Norbuling Rigter College. However, the college is struggling to attract students.
“The constituent colleges of RUB provide government scholarships and self-funding scholarship and fees are much lower ours. So, we face challenges in getting good enrollment,” told Dr Tandin Dorji, President of Norbuling Rigter College.
The president further said the college has to compete with Indian colleges in terms of fee structure but, “it is for the Bhutanese to analyse whether the fee structure is inclusive of everything that is provided by in-country colleges.”
Nevertheless, with focus on improving learning facilities, the college is optimistic that things will work in its favour.
“We have about 155 registered students. Of them, 122 are eligible for admission and so far 45 have confirmed. Last year, we raced against the clock to complete the infrastructure. But we receive many inquiries and our other focus is on students’ discipline.”
At the inaugural event, Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay, education minister, vice chancellor of RUB and local leaders of Paro were present. Seven new scholarships on academic excellence, culture and extracurricular activities and scholarships by non-profit organisations were also launched.
