Peak performance: Constructor University partners with Royal University of Bhutan on digitalization strategy

A delegation from Constructor University travelled to the Himalayan nation of Bhutan this fall to lead and deliver a week-long Digitalization Baseline Study Workshop at the Royal University of Bhutan (RUB) in Thimphu. Taking place October 6-10 2025, the workshop brought university leadership, faculty, academic management and technical teams together to evaluate digital maturity across three domains: teaching, research and administration. The strategic partnership was aimed at laying the foundation for a long-term digital transformation strategy and advancing this small nation’s big vision for a more connected and future-ready higher-education system.

The Constructor University project team included Professors Christoph Lattemann and Çağrı Bulut, Head of Digital Education Carol Damm and Director of International Partnerships Hande Baltaci. Together, the team worked collaboratively with RUB leadership, faculty and administrative staff to map existing practices, identify strengths and gaps and make recommendations across four key areas: strategic, structural, pedagogic and technical. The insights presented in the final report laid out a cohesive roadmap towards a more integrated digital ecosystem that aligns with and supports RUB’s strategic plan through 2030.

RUB Vice Chancellor Chewang Rinzin welcomed the opportunity to gain from Constructor’s expertise in these areas. "The Royal University of Bhutan is happy to partner with Constructor University in our digitalization efforts,” he said. “CU’s rich and diverse expertise and experience in this field will be invaluable to (our) digitalization initiatives, as was evident from the recent workshop facilitated by four CU experts.”

Project team member Hande Baltaci described the workshops as "dynamic, comprehensive and inclusive,” adding that the collaboration captured exactly what Constructor University aims to bring to its global partnerships: “this growing initiative to help advance digitalization and internationalization in Bhutan is yet another step in solidifying Constructor’s role in the global education ecosystem,” she said.

In fact, the project marked the first step towards greater, ongoing collaboration between the two institutions. The Constructor team laid out several options for further partnerships in their final report – from joint research and knowledge transfer to shared events, training and exchange programs – options that RUB seemed eager to pursue: “We look forward to collaborating closely with CU hereafter, not only to realize our digitalization goals, but also in other areas of capacity building and higher education,” added Vice Chancellor Rinzin.