On November 29th 2019, distinguished guests from the Royal University of Bhutan – Dr Dorji Thinley (President of Paro College of Education) and Mr Tshering Wandgi (President of Sherubtse College) – visited UKF in Nitra. The Royal University of Bhutan is a national university which has been isolated for a long time, but is now opening up to the world. It has begun cooperation with several world universities mainly through the Erasmus+ program. The honoured guests were introduced by Assoc. Prof. Pavel Nováček from the Faculty of Natural Sciences at Palacký University in Olomouc, a university which already works with the Royal University of Bhutan.

Paro College of Education which is similar to Faculty of Education, was founded in 1975 and educates teachers-to-be in different bachelor's and master's programs. Sherubtse College is the oldest faculty of the university, established in 1966, and it is similar to Faculty of Science and Economics. Currently, it numbers 1,700 students across various study programs.

Guests from Bhutan were welcomed by UKF's Vice-Rector for International Relations, Dr Martina Pavlíková, and the Dean of the Faculty of Natural Sciences, Prof. Frantisek Petrovič. In a very pleasant atmosphere, they discussed opportunities for cooperation under the Erasmus+ KA107 exchange program. They agreed further steps for the implementation of international cooperation suggestions, as both sides expressed their deep interest.

 

At the Department of Ecology and Environmental Sciences at the Faculty of Social Sciences, the distinguished guests learnt about the research and educational activities of the department from Prof. Juraj Hreško, and Assoc. Prof. Peter Mederly. The discussion identified that several projects and research practices are also relevant for Bhutan. The guests were also impressed by the historical centre of Nitra and its castle, as history is very important for inhabitants of Bhutan – a small but beautiful Himalayan kingdom. Finally, they expressed their belief that this visit represents the beginning of a useful future cooperation.

Text: Assoc. Prof. Peter Mederly, FPV – Department of Ecology and Environmental Sciences
Photographs in text: Dr Martina Pavlíková
Photogallery: Mgr. Miroslav Kadlečík, FPV – Dean's Office