The 2019 and 2020 cohort of the Australia Awards Scholarships returnees are in the country when its largest workforce – the civil service is undergoing a major transformation. However, they view these reforms as happening at the right time and are ready to embrace and complement the change.
The Australia Awards Country Office in Thimphu hosted a welcome home event yesterday for some 15 returnees of the Australia Awards Scholarships for the intake years 2019 and 2020.
Of them, eight are civil servants and seven others are corporate and private employees. The highlight of the event was the emphasis on the massive reshuffle of the civil service.
Belinda Costin, the First Secretary of the Australian High Commission in New Delhi said the Scholarship returnees are returning at a critical moment of the civil service reform.
“On behalf of the Australian government, it is of deep hope that the experience and knowledge that you have gained while in Australia and returning here to strengthen civil service and support Bhutan’s development in your various fields,” said Belinda.
The Royal Civil Service Commission said it is high time to restructure the civil service. Otherwise, it was on the cusp of becoming obsolete.
RCSC’s Commissioner, Dhanapati Mishra said as Bhutan will graduate from a least developed country to a medium-income country by next year, people need to be more efficient, proactive and responsive to the needs of society.
“So for this to happen, we need to change the way we are at this point. So, all of you who have gained knowledge in Australia, this is an opportune moment to make an impact in our societies,” said the Commissioner.
The Labour Secretary is one of the alumni of the Australia Awards Scholarships. She said the scholarship has been influential in helping her adapt to changes in the professional space.
“Four and half years and looking back at those years, I felt that it was cluster-dyed for my life. I have been fortunate enough to come back and serve in the government and today whatever I contribute to the government and the country, it is all because of the four and half years of shaping during that young years,” said MoLHR’s Secretary, Tashi Wangmo.
And for the returnees, the newfound skills such as multitasking, problem-solving and leadership skills can help them contribute effectively to the restructured working environment
“Because I have learnt about early childhood, I not only can contribute in the public schools but I can also contribute and collaborate with the private sector, especially in a daycare centre. So I have already talked with some of the private daycare centres and we discussed some of the good practices that we can initiate and apply in our daycare system here,” said Tshering Sydon, one of the Australia Awards Scholarships returnees.
“Currently, we have a lot of reforms going on. One of them is restructuring and we are directly or indirectly involved in that. Many civil servants and corporate employees are leaving for Australia, so at my level, I can work hard and motivate them to also come back and contribute to the development,” echoed Tshering Choden, another returnee.
A total of 21 Bhutanese professionals from the civil service, corporate bodies and tourism are currently undergoing various post-graduate and diploma courses in Australia.
Including them, about 2,000 Bhutanese from diverse professional backgrounds underwent long-term and short-term courses under Australian government scholarships since 2002. Also, this was the year that marked the establishment of formal diplomatic ties between Bhutan and Australia.
Pema Lhaden
