India–Bhutan Student–Faculty Exchange Programme on Solid Waste Management Concludes in Bhutan
National Institute of Technology Rourkela coordinated the India–Bhutan Student–Faculty Exchange Programme on “Collaborative Outlook on Technological Innovation and Synergies in Solid Waste Management (SWM): Learning Across Borders” in collaboration with Jigme Namgyel Engineering College, Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati, College of Science and Technology, Royal University of Bhutan.
The programme was conducted across Bhutan from 30 April to 7 May 2026 at JNEC, Phuentsholing, and Thimphu, bringing together 33 students from the participating institutions. Students from NIT Rourkela were led by Prof. P. Balasubramanian and Prof. Bikash Chandra Maharaj, while Prof. Rajib Bhattacharya represented IIT Guwahati. Prof. Phurba Tamang and Prof. Rigden Yoezer Tenzi represented the Bhutanese institutions.
The programme at JNEC was inaugurated by Prof. Tshewang Lhendup, President, JNEC. Expert sessions were delivered by Mr. Cheku Dorji, Program Director of The Samdrup Jongkhar Initiative; Mr. Sangay Rabten of Karmaling Higher Secondary School; and Ms. Choji Lhamo from Samdrup Jongkhar Thromde. An India–Bhutan Research Connect session was also organised to encourage collaborative solutions for regional and cross-border solid waste management challenges.
At Phuentsholing, participants attended a technical session by Mr. Jigme Dorji Tamang, Water Supply Engineer, Construction Development Corporation Limited, followed by visits to the Material Recovery Facility and Wastewater Treatment Plant under the Phuentsholing Township Development Project.
The Thimphu sessions featured interactions with Mr. Sonam Wangchuk, Chief Environmental Officer, Thimphu Thromde; Mr. Ngedup Tshering, Executive Director, Clean Bhutan; Mr. Rikesh Gurung, Founder, The Green Road Bhutan; and Mr. Krishna Subba, Chief Program Officer, JICA Bhutan Office. The experts shared insights on Bhutan’s initiatives towards achieving its Zero Waste target by 2030. Participants also visited the Greener Way solid waste management facility at Babesa and the Memelakha Landfill site.
The valedictory session was presided over by Mr. Ranjan R. Shenoy, India’s First Secretary (DC&E) & HOC to Bhutan, who awarded certificates to the participants. He highlighted India’s support of ₹10,000 crore towards Bhutan’s 13th and 14th Five-Year Plans for strengthening solid waste management infrastructure and emphasised the importance of continued India–Bhutan cooperation in sustainable development and environmental management.
NIT Rourkela played a key coordinating role in conceptualising and facilitating the India–Bhutan Student–Faculty Exchange Programme, bringing together academic institutions, experts, policymakers, and students from both countries on a common platform for knowledge exchange and collaborative learning in solid waste management. Through this initiative, the Institute strengthened academic and research partnerships while contributing to India–Bhutan relations by promoting cross-border cooperation, capacity building, and sustainable solutions to shared environmental challenges.
