In its fifth year of establishment, Norbuling Rigter College proudly hosted the inaugural Rigter Conference on 16th September 2022, marking a significant milestone in its academic journey. Conceived as a platform to bring together scholars and academicians from diverse institutions, the conference successfully fostered intellectual exchange and collaboration. The event was honored by the presence of Professor T.S. Powdyel, Former Minister of Education, who delivered the keynote address. Eleven presenters from four institutions contributed to the one-day conference, which was organized into four thematic sessions: Leadership and Values, Leadership and Education, Leadership and Buddhist Perspectives (presented in Dzongkha), and Leadership and Responsiveness. Each session featured insightful papers that addressed leadership challenges and perspectives, ranging from Bhutanese values and educational leadership during the pandemic to Buddhist leadership principles and crisis management strategies.
Building on the success of its first edition, Norbuling Rigter College hosted the second Rigter Conference in 2023 under the theme “Culture and Development: Challenges and Prospects.” This timely and relevant focus resonated deeply with the principles of Gross National Happiness. The conference welcomed eleven participants and was graced by Dasho Sonam Kinga as the keynote speaker. It aimed to explore the dynamic relationship between culture and development, challenging the notion that culture impedes progress and instead positioning it as a powerful framework for inclusive and sustainable growth. Scholars and academicians convened to examine how cultural initiatives and economic activities could strengthen social bonds rooted in cooperation and solidarity, ultimately contributing to development with a human face. The conference featured a diverse range of papers, including conceptual overviews, Bhutanese case studies, and discussions on sub-themes such as the creative sector, heritage, inclusive development, culture and tourism, and policy analysis. These proceedings served as a valuable academic resource, particularly for students of Development Studies, and enriched ongoing debates on leveraging culture for meaningful development.
In 2024, the Rigter Conference dedicated its third edition to the growing value and relevance of Indigenous Knowledge (IK), exploring the opportunities and insights offered by native practices. The conference welcomed eleven participants and was honored by Dr. Dorji Thinley, President of Paro College of Education, who delivered the keynote address. Indigenous Knowledge, deeply rooted in traditions of harmonious co-existence between humans and nature, was increasingly recognized as a cost-effective and sustainable worldview capable of addressing contemporary challenges. The conference provided a vital platform for scholars, academicians, and policymakers to engage in meaningful discourse on indigenous knowledge’s potential to enrich development and foster resilience. It featured papers that offered conceptual overviews, Bhutanese case studies, and broader discussions on themes such as cultural sustainability, traditional ecological practices, and policy frameworks that integrated Indigenous perspectives.