Norbuling Rigter College (NRC) has instituted the Innovation and External Linkages Unit (IELU) to foster a culture of innovation, partnership, and institutional collaboration. The Unit is mandated to build networks with relevant agencies, both national and international, and to harness in-house creative ideas for institutional branding, research advancement, and visibility enhancement.
Mandate and Strategic Functions
The IELU operates with the vision of positioning NRC as a forward-thinking and collaborative higher education institution. Its primary responsibilities include:
- Building partnerships with academic and professional institutions globally;
- Promoting academic and business collaborations;
- Facilitating faculty and student exchange programmes;
- Coordinating joint research and publication activities;
- Organizing conferences, workshops, and innovative brainstorming sessions;
- Mobilizing sponsorships and marketing NRC’s programmes effectively.
1. Innovation at NRC
1.1. Innovative Institutional Practices
NRC promotes innovation at all levels—management, faculty, administration, and students.
- Management Initiatives include semester research grants, start-up support, ICT training, digital management systems, and the institution of Rigter Expression and Rigter Experiment to showcase and exchange creative ideas.
- Academic Staff Initiatives involve integrating blended learning, project-based approaches, research, new course design, and mentoring student innovation projects such as the RUB Business Idea Competitionand Social Hackathon 2025.
- Administrative Innovations include digitized admission, online leave systems, electronic fee payment, and digital library management through Koha and Delnet.
- Student Innovations range from start-up ventures (campus café, barber, and printing shop) to creative technology-driven cultural competitions and student research colloquia.
1.2. Recognition and Incentives
NRC recognizes and rewards innovation through:
- Meritorious promotions, double increments, and innovation awards;
- Certificates and recognition for outstanding research and student initiatives;
- Public acknowledgment via college events and social media to promote a culture of creativity and excellence.
1.3. Sustaining Innovation
Innovation at NRC is sustained through continuous investment in digital tools, annual innovation events, ICT training, and ongoing research support. Practices such as blended learning, online administrative systems, and student research colloquia have become permanent institutional features.
1.4. Awards and Achievements
NRC and its members have received numerous recognitions for innovation and excellence:
- Design Patent (2025) – AI Powered Dual-Screen Dashboard for Teamwork Enhancement by Prof. Dr. Sourav Basu.
- Certificate of Recognition (2025) – From the Department of Revenue and Customs, RGoB, to the Kuen-Gaa Group of Companies Pvt. Ltd.
- Asia’s Best Researcher Award (2023) – In Management Category.
- RUB Business Idea Competition (2023) – “Bhutan Saw Dust and Beyond” by NRC students.
- Logo Design Award (2022) – By Miss Namgay Dem, NRC Rover Club Leader.
- Education Leadership Awards (2019) – To Dean of Academic Affairs and Assistant Professor Sourav Basu.
- Global Educator and Research Award (2024) – To Prof. Dr. Sourav Basu.
1.4. Innovation in Teaching and Learning
NRC ensures autonomy in adopting innovative pedagogies such as:
- Learner-centered and blended approaches;
- Experiential and project-based learning;
- Integration of GNH values and 21st-century skills;
- Contextual learning rooted in Bhutanese culture.
2. Linkages and Exchange Programmes
2.1. Policy Framework
NRC’s Policy Guideline for Institutional Memoranda of Understanding (MoU) and Exchange Programmes (2023) governs all institutional collaborations. It ensures that partnerships are strategic, sustainable, and outcome-based.
2.2. Signed Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs)
| Sl. No. | Institution / Agency | Country | Date of Signing | Remarks |
| 1 | DCAF – Geneva Centre for Security Sector Governance | Switzerland | May 5, 2023 | MoU |
| 2 | Youth Employment and Research Association | India | May 3, 2024 | Letter of Intent |
| 3 | MJP Rohilkhand University | India | Aug 24, 2024 | MoU |
| 4 | Swami Shukdevanand (PG) College | India | Aug 24, 2024 | MoU |
| 5 | Sahu Ramswaroop Mahila Mahavidyalaya | India | Aug 24, 2024 | MoU |
| 6 | Gokul Das Hindu Girls College | India | Aug 24, 2024 | MoU |
| 7 | Kumaun University | India | Aug 24, 2024 | MoU |
| 8 | Prof. Rajendra Singh (Rajju Bhaiya) University | India | Aug 24, 2024 | MoU |
| 9 | Adamas University | India | May 30, 2025 | MoU |
| 10 | Financial Institutions Institute Ltd. (FITIL) | Bhutan | July 17, 2025 | MoU |
| 11 | Pathum Thani University | Thailand | 2025 | MoU |
| 12 | LEAD College of Management | India | 2025 | MoU |
2.3. Exchange Programmes and Activities
| Sl. No. | Date | Programme / Event | Participants | Outcome / Benefit |
| 1 | 11/06/2023 | International Conference on Sustainable Development | MASWE, NRC, Tirpude College of Social Work | Shared experiences and research insights |
| 2 | 19–28/11/2023 | Visiting Lecture (10 days) | 2 lecturers from UBR University, Thailand | Faculty exposure and collaboration |
| 3 | 3–5/05/2024 | International Conference on Entrepreneurship & Business Sustainability | 22 from India, 6 from NRC | Institutional visibility, idea exchange |
| 4 | 24/08/2024 | Conference on AI and Life Skills | 25 from Indian universities, 5 from NRC | Knowledge on AI trends |
| 5 | 10–13/05/2025 | International Conference on Sustainable Futures | 45 from 20 Indian universities, 4 from NRC | Networking and research exposure |
| 6 | 22/08/2025 | Rigter Student Research Colloquium – Series III | 2 PG students from Adamas University | Research paper presentation |
| 7 | 21–22/08/2025 | Institutional Visit | Asst. Director, Adamas University | Strengthened institutional ties |
| 8 | 27/04–02/05/2025 | Regional Health Summit, Athens, Greece | President, NRC | Global networking |
| 9 | 13–19/06/2025 | Well-being in Higher Education Network, Slovenia | President, NRC | Institutional exposure |
| 10 | 15/01/2025 | Guest Lecture on Happiness & Well-being | President, NRC | Shared academic insights |
| 11 | 27/10–07/11/2025 | Classroom Teaching Exchange | 3 faculty from Adamas University | Cross-institutional teaching |
| 12 | Jan 2026 | Institutional Visit | 3 senior NRC faculty | Best practice sharing |
2.4. National and Local Exchange Programmes
NRC also conducts active academic and cultural exchanges within Bhutan to promote collaboration and youth engagement.
- Y-PEER Exchange (2025) – 22 members of NRC Y-PEER collaborated with Paro College of Education for theatre-based awareness training.
- Student Leadership Exchange – Conducted with PCE, JSW School of Law, and Royal Thimphu College to enhance leadership and collaboration.
- Cultural Exchange – NRC and PCE Culture Clubs collaborate annually to promote Bhutanese culture and art.
- Scouting Exchange – NRC and PCE Scouts conduct joint service programmes to strengthen community engagement.
- Youth Summit (2024) – NRC’s Student Vice President, Ms. Kezang Tshoki Lhamo, represented the college at the 3rd India-Bhutan Youth Summit held in Bhutan.
Through its Innovation and External Linkages Unit (IELU), Norbuling Rigter College has positioned itself as a dynamic institution committed to innovation, collaboration, and academic excellence. Its growing network of international and national partnerships, coupled with sustained institutional innovation, reflects NRC’s vision to prepare globally competent graduates, promote knowledge exchange, and contribute to Bhutan’s higher education transformation.