Bhutan has taken a significant step toward strengthening its digital future with the launch of the Engineering Education, Research, and Innovation Summit. This two-day summit, held from June 9 to 10, 2026, in Paro, was collaboratively organized by the Bhutanese government, the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE), and iGroup.
Serving as IEEE’s exclusive dealer in Bhutan, iGroup played a pivotal role in the summit’s organization, preparation, and successful execution.
The summit brought together university leaders, policymakers, researchers, industry experts, and global thought leaders to explore how engineering education, research, and innovation can accelerate Bhutan’s digital transformation and sustainable development journey. Aligning Technology with Gross National Happiness.
Her Royal Highness Princess Chimi Yangzom Wangchuck graced the opening ceremony and underscored the importance of ensuring that technological progress remains firmly rooted in Bhutan’s values. Addressing participants, Her Royal Highness highlighted the need to align innovation with the principles of Gross National Happiness, stressing that advances in technology should enhance well-being, inclusivity, and sustainability.
Expanding Digital Access
“IEEE is proud to collaborate as a catalyst for progress in higher education as AI shifts the technology landscape and Bhutan prepares for its next era of innovation and resilience,” said Mary Ellen Randall, 2026 IEEE President and CEO. “Our goal is to support local universities and students as they develop trusted, future-ready technology that honors the nation’s commitment to sustainability and human well-being.”
In support of this effort, IEEE provides access to several of its knowledge resources, empowering engineers, students, educators, researchers, and professionals at every stage of their professional development.
- IEEE TryEngineering: Inspiring early interest in engineering and STEM learning.
- IEEE Student Branch Support: Helping students build leadership, technical engagement, and global professional connections.
- IEEE Electronic Library: Delivered via the IEEE Xplore® Digital Library, this gives users access to over seven million documents—including trusted IEEE journals, conference proceedings, standards, and technical papers—to enhance local research, teaching, and technology development.
- IEEE eLearning Library: This platform offers online courses developed by experts in engineering, computing and technology, supporting flexible learning across core and emerging technical fields for professionals, faculty and students.Supporting continuing education through flexible online technical learning.
- IEEE Power & Energy Resource Center: Connecting engineering knowledge to real-world energy, power, and infrastructure applications.
Global Perspectives and Expert Insights
Setting the academic tone for the summit, Professor Pai-Chi Li, President of the Asian Institute of Technology (AIT), delivered the Day 1 keynote address titled, “Empowering the Future: AI Literacy, Sustainable Regional Innovation, and the Global Knowledge Network.”
Throughout the event, nearly 20 leading experts from Bhutan and IEEE participated in dynamic panel discussions. The core themes explored during these sessions included:Digital Transformation，The Pillars of a Nation Building Movement，Building the Extraordinary: GMC-Connecting Mindfulness, Economy & Community.
As the summit concluded, both IEEE and iGroup reaffirmed their dedication to a sustained partnership. The organizations pledged to continue their collaboration, actively contributing to Bhutan’s ongoing transformation in technological education, innovation, and sustainable development.
About IEEE
IEEE is the world’s largest technical professional organization and is a public charity dedicated to advancing technology for the benefit of humanity. Through its highly cited publications, conferences, technology standards, and professional and educational activities, IEEE is a trusted voice across fields ranging from global standards, aerospace systems, computers, and telecommunications to biomedical engineering, electric power, and consumer electronics. Learn more at https://www.ieee.org/
About iGroup
The iGroup (Asia Pacific) Limited is a Hong Kong-registered multinational organization with offices spanning over 20 countries in the Asia-Pacific region with a total workforce of over 1,500. Our ability to provide a full spectrum of related products and services with localized support from each of our regional offices, establishes us as the key information industry partner in the Asia-Pacific region.
