Business Schools Ranking in Bhutan

Summary:
This article explores how business schools in Bhutan are adapting to the country’s evolving economy. We cover major trends including digital transformation and sustainability, outline key challenges, and explore future opportunities for Bhutan’s education sector.

Context: Bhutan’s Economic Shift and the Role of Education

Business schools in Bhutan are evolving within a unique economic and educational context marked by the country’s transition from a largely agrarian economy toward more diversified industry and service sectors.

This ongoing transformation is accompanied by significant efforts in education reform, digital advancement, and sustainable development, all influencing the role and direction of business education in 2025.

Bhutan’s economy, although growing steadily with a 7.5% GDP increase in 2024, still faces structural challenges such as premature deindustrialization, heavy reliance on hydropower and tourism, and subdued productivity especially in agriculture which employs over 40% of the workforce but contributes a low share to GDP.

Education is free from primary through tertiary levels and is geared toward creating a skilled, productive workforce to support this economic transition. Within this framework, business schools in Bhutan play a vital role by equipping youth with applied skills and knowledge to meet evolving market demands and address high youth unemployment, which remains a pressing issue at nearly 19% nationally.

Key Trends Shaping Bhutanese Business Schools in 2025

Internationalization and Global Exposure

Collaboration with foreign institutions and student exchange programs are expanding, exposing students to global business perspectives and best practices. One example includes partnerships focusing on AI, sustainability, and Bhutanese cultural values such as Gross National Happiness, blending traditional wisdom with modern business education.

Bhutan’s progress is similar to the globalization patterns seen in business schools in Australia and other Asia-Pacific nations embracing educational partnerships.

Digital Innovation and Tech Integration

Business curricula increasingly integrate digital skills, AI applications, and data analytics. This reflects Bhutan's broader national push for digital governance and building a digital economy under its Digital Transformation Programme, ensuring students are prepared for tech-driven market environments.

This pattern parallels the rise of smart education seen in innovative regions such as Singapore.

Sustainability and Ethical Specializations

Sustainability and environmental stewardship are core themes reflecting Bhutan’s development philosophy. Business schools incorporate sustainable management, social enterprise, and ethical business practices to align with national goals and global challenges.

This resonates with regional peers where environmental awareness is a key focus in academic curricula.

Industry Collaboration and Real-World Relevance

To improve employment outcomes and relevance, institutions are building stronger links with the private sector, offering internships and collaborative projects that bridge academic learning with real-world business problems.

This approach addresses curriculum relevance amidst rapid economic changes. Bhutan could look to countries like Bangladesh that are also pursuing stronger academia-industry linkages for economic development.

Shifting Student Expectations

Students increasingly seek practical skills aligned with entrepreneurship, innovation, and social impact, valuing education that goes beyond theory to include technology fluency and ethical leadership.

The business education model must evolve to deliver real-life competencies reflecting this demand.

Major Challenges Facing Bhutanese Business Schools

Funding and Infrastructure Limitations

Despite education’s free status, funding limitations restrict expansion, infrastructure quality, faculty development, and access to cutting-edge technology. Sustained investment is needed to support high-quality management education. Similar challenges are observed in countries like Cameroon, where public education funding remains a core issue.

Talent Acquisition and Retention

Bhutan’s small market and intense regional competition make it challenging to attract and retain top faculty and talent, while brain drain to more developed countries persists, impacting faculty and graduate retention. This situation hinders consistent academic quality across institutions.

Keeping Pace with Economic and Technological Changes

Business schools must continuously update curricula to keep pace with technological innovations, digital skills, and new economic sectors while balancing local relevance and international standards. Without modernization, institutions risk falling behind.

Limited Economic Diversification

With the economy concentrating in hydropower, tourism, and cottage industries, the demand for diverse business skills is growing but remains constrained by the limited private sector size. This creates challenges in delivering practical training and generating job-ready graduates.

Opportunities for Bhutanese Business Schools in 2025

Digital and AI-Driven Curriculum Development

Business schools can pioneer the integration of AI-driven analytics and digital tools into curricula, fostering students’ analytical and strategic decision-making capacities aligned with global technological trends. This initiative mirrors global curriculum shifts seen in several emerging markets like Ghana.

Promoting Bhutanese Values through Sustainable Education

They are uniquely positioned to advance Bhutan’s Gross National Happiness vision by training leaders who prioritize sustainable growth and social impact, potentially attracting international students and partnerships focused on ethical business values.

Introducing Microcredentials and Modular Courses

Aligning with national education transformation goals, institutions could offer flexible short courses and microcredentials to upskill working professionals and youth, enhancing employability in a fast-changing economy.

Leveraging Corporate Networks and Alumni

Enhanced partnerships with industry players and active alumni communities can improve graduate placement rates and curriculum relevance, as well as foster entrepreneurship ecosystems within the country. This network-based model is increasingly visible in emerging education systems like that of Nepal.

Local Sector-Focused Education

Developing business programs that align with Bhutan’s key industries—such as sustainable tourism, public sector management, and agriculture—will enhance local workforce readiness and support national development goals.