The LKY School’s Bhutanese alumni held a reunion dinner and send-off party for incoming students on July 3, 2015 in the family-style restaurant, ZaSa in Thimphu. This was the first of such event organised by the LKY School’s Bhutan Alumni Chapter since it was set up in November 2014.
It was no easy feat to coordinate, as many members were busy working or in other parts of the country. However, 11 people, including the two incoming students, managed to attend the event. Many of those who did not attend still took the effort to send messages to the Bhutan Chapter to pass on their well wishes to the incoming students.
At the event, the Bhutan Chapter’s President, Kunzang Lhamu (MPP 2002), gave an introductory speech about the establishment of the Chapter as well as its objective of fostering a strong network of alumni. She congratulated the two incoming students on being successfully admitted and wished them success in their studies. The two new students were Mr Samten Dhendup, who would be pursuing a Master in Public Administration (MPA), and Mr Ugyen Dorji, who would be joining the Master in Public Policy (MPP) programme.
Following the welcome address, introductions were made. The former students shared stories about the valuable lessons they had picked up at the LKY School and how its programmes had made a lasting impact on their lives even after graduation. Over dinner, the alumni were also brought up to speed on one another’s lives and discussed some activities that might be organised later this year. They aim to hold events that will raise awareness in Bhutan about the courses and scholarships available at the LKY School.
Such events could include information sharing sessions where prospective students can get in touch with the LKY School’s alumni through social media or other means. The alumni members could also conduct learning and information sharing sessions for them to discuss the LKY School’s offerings with college graduates who aspire to sit for civil service examinations or to apply for master’s degree programmes.
Another area to be explored is for the Bhutan Chapter to arrange for guest lecturers to speak at national management institutions and colleges in the country. This could help to increase the visibility of the LKY School within Bhutan as a leading School of Public Policy in Asia.
On top of these activities, the Bhutan Chapter is hoping to engage in community service such as cleaning campaigns and blood donation drives. At the dinner, they also discussed providing help to needy areas and poor communities.