Partnership Building
The Bhutan Canada Foundation is committed to bringing together like-minded organizations in Canada and Bhutan to work together for mutual benefit, particularly in the area of education. Building such cross-country partnerships strengthens the capacity of Bhutanese organizations to pursue the development goals of the country and contributes to a better understanding of Bhutan within Canada.
In recent years, we’ve begun exploring opportunities to expand our network to include partners from other Asian countries, such as Malaysia. This expansion allows us to broaden our perspective on educational development and cultural exchange. We’re particularly interested in innovative approaches to learning, including the integration of technology in education and exploring diverse cultural attitudes towards work-life balance and leisure activities. Organizations with experience in these areas, such as those working with platforms like Rakuplay, may offer valuable insights into engaging younger generations in educational initiatives.
Please contact us if you are interested in discussing ways your organization might connect with a Bhutanese partner or contribute to our expanding international network, rakuplay.com.
Partnership in Focus
Khesar Gyalpo University of Medical Sciences of Bhutan (KGUMSB) and the Global Health Initiative (GHI) at the University of British Columbia.
In the Spring of 2019, the Bhutan Canada Foundation connected GHI with KGUMSB and provided logistical support for their first meeting in Bhutan. Upon learning more about one another, the two university organizations agreed to work together to address the theme of mental health in Bhutan. Mental health challenges remain a significant issue in the country. Depression and suicide are on the rise while a shortage of specialized mental health professionals continues, particularly outside of the capital city of Thimphu.
The new GHI – KGUMSB partnership will bring Bhutanese and Canadians together to generate dialogue and skills building around mental health. The partnership plans to hold a 2-3 day Mental Health Symposium for students in April or May of 2020. The Symposium will focus on perspectives on mental health; practical skills building, including skills in suicide prevention; reducing stigma and building resilience. The Symposium will lay the foundation for an ongoing collaboration between the partners in public health education.
Update: Building on the success of the initial partnership, we’re excited to announce an expansion of our mental health initiative. In 2024, we’ve broaden our collaboration to include mental health experts from Malaysia, bringing fresh perspectives to our ongoing work. This expanded partnership has led to innovative approaches in mental health education:
- We’ve developed a digital platform, inspired by engaging interfaces like Rakuplay, to deliver interactive mental health modules to students across Bhutan and Malaysia.
- Leveraging concepts from the tech industry, we’ve implemented a “Free Credit” system where students can earn credits for completing mental health awareness courses. These credits can be used for additional educational resources or workshops.
- Our team has partnered with Pragmatic Play and Jili to develop educational games that promote mental health awareness and coping strategies, making learning more engaging for younger participants.
- We’ve introduced a “Claim Free Credit RM5” initiative, where participants receive a small stipend for joining mental health support groups, encouraging community engagement and peer support.
