Close to 2,400 graduates are attending the 17th National Graduates Orientation Program (NGOP) that began from August 12 at Royal Institute of Management (RIM) in Thimphu.

Initially, 2,848 graduates had registered with the labour ministry. However, 456 graduates could not attend the programme because they had failed to very their document. Some did not possess the required documents. Others withdrew.

The weeklong programme themed “Fostering camaraderie for national unity and growth” includes personal development, policy and cultural orientation. The programme aims to orient graduates with the policies, programmes and issues of national importance.

Of the 2,392 graduates, 1,278 are female and 1,114 male. There are 1,840 general and 552 technical graduates.

A total of 1,845 graduates are from Royal University of Bhutan, followed by 487 graduates from India, 26 graduates from Thailand, 13 from Bangladesh, six each from Australia, Malaysia, and United States, and one each from Nepal, Singapore and China.

Chief advisor of the interim government, Chief Justice Tshering Wangchuk congratulated the graduates for achieving an important milestone. “The future of the nation is determined by its youth. Imbibe values of compassion, respect and belief which must initiate realisation and understanding that you have the opportunity to shape the destiny of the nation.”

He encouraged graduates to ask questions and seek answers during the orientation. “When you do things, don’t do it blindly. There is a reason behind everything.”

Chief justice also spoke about sovereignty, history and the importance of elections, among others.

Besides orientation about culture, tradition and etiquettes of the country, the NGOP is a platform for graduates to acquaint themselves with employment opportunities. It is also a forum for graduates to interact and share ideas among themselves to foster camaraderie.

The labour ministry facilitated the blood donation programme that the Jigme Dorji Wangchuck National Referral Hospital (JDWNRH) organised at the programme.

Rinchen Zangmo