Bhutan Qualifications and Professionals Certification Authority

03/09/2026

𝐁𝐐𝐏𝐂𝐀 𝐥𝐚𝐮𝐧𝐜𝐡𝐞𝐬 𝐈𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐃𝐢𝐠𝐢𝐭𝐚𝐥 𝐑𝐞𝐠𝐮𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐲 𝐒𝐲𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐦

The Bhutan Qualifications and Professionals Certification Authority (BQPCA) launched its Integrated Digital Regulatory System, marking a significant step towards strengthening the quality, integrity and efficiency of qualifications and professional regulation in Bhutan.

The platform was jointly developed with DrukSmart and the Government Technology (GovTech) Agency, to transform regulatory services from fragmented and largely manual processes into a more connected, integrated and digitally enabled ecosystem.

The new system brings together key regulatory functions, including professional registration, accreditation, quality assurance, certification, monitoring and Continuing Professional Development (CPD) on a single digital platform. This is expected to make regulatory services faster, simpler and more accessible for individuals and institutions.

A key feature of the system is its digital linkage with relevant government agencies, including the Royal Civil Service Commission, Bhutan Construction and Transport Authority, Department of Civil Registration and Census, Bhutan Food and Drug Authority, and Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Employment.

Through these linkages, information can, where appropriate, be securely verified and shared across government agencies, reducing the need for citizens and institutions to repeatedly submit information already held by the government. The integrated approach is expected to reduce duplication, improve data accuracy, shorten processing times and lessen the administrative burden on citizens and institutions.

The event was graced by the Hon’ble Education Secretary and attended by the Director of the Department of Digital Transformation, Director of BQPCA, and officials from the Ministry, GovTech Agency and DrukSmart.

02/09/2026

𝐁𝐐𝐏𝐂𝐀 𝐋𝐀𝐔𝐍𝐂𝐇𝐄𝐒 𝐍𝐄𝐖 𝐒𝐘𝐒𝐓𝐄𝐌

A new integrated digital regulatory system has been launched by BQPCA to reduce paperwork and make services faster and easier.

By connecting with other government databases, the system helps reduce repeated form filling and document submissions for professionals and institutions.

Read more:

How many times have you filled in the same personal details or submitted the same documents while applying for different government services? A new

12/08/2026

𝐁𝐐𝐏𝐂𝐀 𝐖𝐞𝐥𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐬 𝐍𝐞𝐰 𝐄𝐦𝐩𝐥𝐨𝐲𝐞𝐞𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐂𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐛𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐬 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐟𝐟 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐦𝐨𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬

Coinciding with today’s auspicious day on 12 August 2026, the Bhutan Qualifications and Professional Certification Authority (BQPCA) held a special gathering to welcome four new employees and congratulate eight employees on their promotion to the next higher level.

The programme commenced with Tashi Tsigpa and Zhabten, offering prayers for His Majesty’s long life, good health and strength, and for the continued peace and prosperity of the nation and BQPCA in serving the Tsa-Wa-Sum.

In his opening remarks, Dr Ugyen Tshewang, Director, BQPCA, warmly welcomed the new employees and congratulated the promoted employees. He highlighted that these milestones bring new opportunities and responsibilities, and encouraged all staff to uphold high motivation, professionalism and unwavering commitment in fulfilling BQPCA’s important national mandate.

He also emphasised the importance of working together towards Bhutan’s “North Star”-transforming the nation into a developed country through dedicated and meaningful public service.
The new and promoted employees were given an opportunity to share their reflections and aspirations, followed by the Director’s offering of Tashi Khadar, symbolising warm welcome, goodwill and best wishes for their success and wellbeing.

BQPCA warmly welcomed its new colleagues and congratulated all promoted employees, wishing them continued professional growth, fulfilment and success in serving the nation.

11/07/2026

𝐁𝐐𝐏𝐂𝐀 𝐀𝐧𝐧𝐮𝐚𝐥 𝐖𝐨𝐫𝐤 𝐏𝐥𝐚𝐧 𝐅𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐳𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧

The Bhutan Qualifications and Professionals Certification Authority (BQPCA) successfully convened its Annual Work Plan Finalisation and Endorsement Meeting on July 10 in Thimphu for further approval by the Ministry of Education and Skills Development.

The meeting brought together BQPCA officials including officials from its five Council – the Engineering Professionals Council, Higher Education Quality Council, Medical and Health Professionals Council, Teaching Professionals Council, and TVET Quality Council to review and endorse their respective Annual Work Plans for FY 2026-2027.

In his opening remarks, Dr. Ugyen Tshewang, Director of BQPCA, highlighted the importance of strategic planning, collaboration, accountability, and innovation in advancing BQPCA’s mandate. He urged the Councils to align their plans and activities with Bhutan Vision 2040, the National Education Policy 2024, and the priorities of the 13th Five-Year Plan.

Each Council presented its key priorities and planned activities for the coming financial year. Discussions focused on strengthening collaboration, identifying cross-cutting priorities, and enhancing implementation effectiveness across the Authority.

A key highlight of the meeting was a presentation by GovTech and the Ministry’s ICTD on the BQPCA Digital System, demonstrating how digital transformation will improve the efficiency, transparency, and accessibility of BQPCA’s services.

The meeting concluded with the endorsement of the Annual Work Plans for FY 2026–2027, reaffirming BQPCA’s commitment to quality, integrity, and excellence in developing a competent, ethical, and future-ready workforce for Bhutan.

12/06/2026

𝐒𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐝 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐤𝐞𝐡𝐨𝐥𝐝𝐞𝐫 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐮𝐥𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐨𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐃𝐫𝐚𝐟𝐭 𝐅𝐫𝐚𝐦𝐞𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐤𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐆𝐮𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐬 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐓𝐞𝐚𝐜𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐟𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧

The Teaching Professionals Council (TPC) of the Bhutan Qualifications and Professionals Certification Authority (BQPCA) took another important step towards strengthening teacher professionalism in Bhutan by conducting the Second Stakeholder Consultation Workshop on the Draft Frameworks and Guidelines for the Teaching Profession from May 27-30 in Paro.

The workshop brought together 18 teaching professionals representing 18 schools, including Principals, a Vice Principal, and teachers from public and private schools across Paro, Haa, Thimphu Thromde, and Thimphu Dzongkhag. Their participation ensured that diverse perspectives and practical insights from across the education sector were reflected in the consultation process.

Over four days, participants reviewed and provided feedback on key frameworks and guidelines relating to teacher registration and certification, professional conduct and ethics, teacher wellbeing, continuous professional development, career pathways, and the Bhutan Professional Standards for Teachers (BPST).

The consultation successfully validated key frameworks, generated practical recommendations, and identified critical implementation considerations. The feedback and insights gathered will guide the next phase of revisions, ensuring that the proposed frameworks are robust, relevant, and responsive to the evolving needs of teaching professionals.

The consultation marks a significant milestone in the development of Bhutan’s professional regulatory framework for the teaching profession and in advancing the mandate of the Teaching Professionals Council. By strengthening professional standards, accountability, career progression, and teacher support systems, the initiative will contribute to enhancing the quality, status, and professionalism of teaching while supporting improved learning outcomes for students across the country.

The workshop concluded with strong stakeholder support and a shared commitment to advancing teacher professionalism and educational excellence in pursuit of a high-quality, future-ready education system for Bhutan.

11/06/2026

𝐖𝐞𝐥𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐞 𝐂𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐦𝐨𝐧𝐲 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐑𝐞𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐏𝐞𝐥𝐬𝐮𝐩𝐬

The Bhutan Qualifications and Professionals Certification Authority (BQPCA) organized a welcome ceremony to receive two officials who successfully completed the three-month Pelsup Training Programme: Ms. Jamphel Choden, Programme Officer, Engineering Professional Council (EPC), and Ms. Leki Choden, Assistant Programme Officer, Higher Education Quality Council (HEQC).

The ceremony commenced with a warm welcome address delivered by Dr. Ugyen Tshewang, Director of BQPCA, in the presence of Heads of Councils and officials of the Authority. During the programme, officials extended their heartfelt congratulations to the returning Pelsups for successfully completing the training and acknowledged their commitment to professional growth. They also expressed confidence that the knowledge, skills, and experiences acquired through the programme would contribute meaningfully to strengthening the work of the organization and advancing its mandates.
As a mark of goodwill, appreciation, and recognition of their achievement, khadars were presented to the returning Pelsups. This was followed by a cake-cutting ceremony to celebrate the successful completion of the training and their return to the BQPCA family.
The event concluded with a refreshment session, providing an opportunity for officials and colleagues to interact with the returning Pelsups, share experiences, and strengthen professional relationships.

The welcome ceremony served as a meaningful occasion to recognize the dedication and accomplishments of the two Pelsups while reaffirming BQPCA’s commitment to continuous professional development, leadership development, and capacity building.

𝐀𝐛𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐏𝐞𝐥𝐬𝐮𝐩 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐦𝐦𝐞
The Pelsup Programme forms part of a broader national vision for building a capable and future-ready Bhutanese society. Together with DeSuung and Gyalsung, it represents one of the key nation-building initiatives established under the visionary leadership of His Majesty The King.
The three programmes are distinct yet complementary in their objectives:
• Pelsung (Prosperity Guardians): Focused on cultivating future-ready professionals and leaders who can contribute to Bhutan’s socio-economic transformation, innovation, and sustainable development.
• DeSuung (Guardians of Peace): Promotes the values of service, discipline, volunteerism, and community engagement.
• Gyalsung (National Service): Prepares Bhutanese youth for nation-building through character development, civic responsibility, leadership, and national preparedness.
Collectively, these initiatives aim to nurture a resilient, capable, responsible, and united citizenry, thereby strengthening the foundations for Bhutan’s long-term peace, prosperity, and national development.

20/05/2026

𝐏𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐑𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐞

𝐀𝐧𝐧𝐮𝐚𝐥 𝐆𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐥 𝐌𝐞𝐞𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 (𝐀𝐆𝐌) 𝐨𝐟 𝐄𝐝𝐮𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐮𝐥𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐲 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐏𝐥𝐚𝐜𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐅𝐢𝐫𝐦𝐬 (𝐄𝐂𝐏𝐅𝐬) 𝐇𝐞𝐥𝐝 𝐢𝐧 𝐓𝐡𝐢𝐦𝐩𝐡𝐮

The Higher Education Quality Council (HEQC) under the Bhutan Qualifications and Professional Certification Authority (BQPCA), Ministry of Education and Skills Development (MoESD), organized the Annual General Meeting (AGM) for Education Consultancy and Placement Firms (ECPFs) on 14 May 2026 at Zhichenkhar, Thimphu.

A total of 67 ECPFs are currently registered and regulated by the Council. Representatives from 62 firms attended the meeting along with officials from relevant agencies. The AGM served as an important platform to discuss sector-related issues, gather stakeholder feedback, and deliberate on regulatory and policy developments related to international education services and student mobility.

Delivering the keynote address, Dr. Ugyen Tshewang, Director of BQPCA, MOESD, highlighted the growing importance of ECPFs in Bhutan’s education ecosystem and national human capital development. He emphasized that ECPFs are no longer merely private businesses facilitating overseas admissions, but important national stakeholders contributing toward shaping the aspirations, careers, and global exposure of Bhutanese youth.

Available data indicate significant changes in Bhutan’s outbound student mobility trends. Australia, which accounted for 79.32% of outbound students in 2023, declined to 50.51% in 2024 and further to 39.87% in 2025. In contrast, India’s share increased substantially from 6.58% in 2023 to 46.45% in 2025, emerging as the leading destination for Bhutanese students. Europe also recorded a decline from 4.59% in 2024 to 2.09% in 2025. Overall, the total number of Bhutanese students pursuing studies abroad through ECPFs decreased significantly from 4,941 students in 2023 to 958 students in 2025. However, these figures are limited to students facilitated by ECPFs and do not include students sent abroad through government scholarship programmes or those pursuing studies independently.

The keynote address further emphasized professionalism, ethical responsibility, transparency, and student-centred counselling within the consultancy sector. ECPFs were encouraged to strengthen professional counselling services, staff capacity, ethical standards, and collaboration with HEQC to safeguard student interests.

A key agenda item during the AGM was the presentation of the draft Regulations of the Council, which includes a dedicated chapter on the regulation of ECPFs. The proposed transition from the existing Guidelines for ECPFs 2021 to a formal regulatory framework is expected to strengthen governance, accountability, and public confidence in the sector.

18/05/2026

𝐏𝐑𝐄𝐒𝐒 𝐑𝐄𝐋𝐄𝐀𝐒𝐄

𝐁𝐐𝐏𝐂𝐀 𝐒𝐭𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐠𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐧𝐬 𝐋𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐩 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐀𝐩𝐩𝐨𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝐓𝐰𝐨 𝐒𝐩𝐞𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐭 𝐇𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐬.

18/05/2026

𝐒𝐭𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐠𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐓𝐕𝐄𝐓 𝐐𝐮𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐀𝐬𝐬𝐮𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐢𝐧 𝐁𝐡𝐮𝐭𝐚𝐧: 𝐖𝐨𝐫𝐤𝐬𝐡𝐨𝐩 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐯𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐨𝐧 𝐃𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐲, 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐩𝐥𝐢𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐮𝐨𝐮𝐬 𝐈𝐦𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭

The TVET Quality Council (TVET-QC) of the Bhutan Qualifications and Professionals Certification Authority (BQPCA) successfully conducted a Workshop on TVET Delivery and Quality Assurance for training providers on May 15 in Thimphu. The workshop was attended by 60 registered training providers based in Thimphu and served as an important platform to strengthen the understanding of quality assurance, regulatory compliance, and effective delivery of TVET programmes in alignment with national policies, regulations, and quality standards.

The workshop also provided an opportunity for training providers to share experiences, discuss common operational and regulatory challenges, and explore strategies to enhance the quality, relevance, credibility, and effectiveness of TVET programmes in the country.

Key sessions covered important thematic areas including an overview of the National Education Policy with specific focus on TVET reforms and priorities, Quality Management Systems (QMS) in TVET institutions, the National TVET Quality Standards, and the TVET Quality and Qualifications Regulations 2026.

Discussions were also held on regulatory compliance requirements, institutional governance and management systems, trainer and infrastructure standards, use of the TVET Management Information System (TVET-MIS), industry linkages, and effective programme delivery practices.

In addition, participants undertook SWOT analysis and institutional action-planning exercises to identify strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, challenges, and priority areas for continuous improvement within their respective institutes.

Considering the positive engagement and valuable outcomes of the workshop, the TVET QC will continue to organise such engagements annually to strengthen the culture of quality, promote continuous institutional improvement, and support training providers in enhancing the credibility, quality, and labour market relevance of TVET programmes in Bhutan.

13/05/2026

𝐓𝐫𝐢𝐛𝐮𝐭𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐀𝐜𝐤𝐧𝐨𝐰𝐥𝐞𝐝𝐠𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐍𝐮𝐫𝐬𝐞𝐬 𝐢𝐧 𝐁𝐡𝐮𝐭𝐚𝐧 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐀𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐖𝐨𝐫𝐥𝐝

𝐈𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐧𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐍𝐮𝐫𝐬𝐞𝐬 𝐃𝐚𝐲 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔
𝑻𝒉𝒆𝒎𝒆: “𝑶𝒖𝒓 𝑵𝒖𝒓𝒔𝒆𝒔. 𝑶𝒖𝒓 𝑭𝒖𝒕𝒖𝒓𝒆. 𝑬𝒎𝒑𝒐𝒘𝒆𝒓𝒆𝒅 𝑵𝒖𝒓𝒔𝒆𝒔 𝑺𝒂𝒗𝒆 𝑳𝒊𝒗𝒆𝒔.”
On the auspicious occasion of International Nurses Day 2026, the Medical and Health Professional Council (MHPC) under the Bhutan Qualifications and Professional Certification Authority (BQPCA), Ministry of Education and Skills Development (MOESD), extends heartfelt tribute and sincere gratitude to nurses in Bhutan and around the world for their unwavering dedication, compassion, sacrifice, and service to humanity.
https://businessbhutan.bt/tribute-and-acknowledgement-to-nurses-in-bhutan-and-around-the-world/