A 7-day Student–Faculty Academic Exchange Programme in Geography Education will be held between Samtse College of Education (SCE), Royal University of Bhutan, and Department of Geography, Tezpur College, Assam, India, scheduled from 3rd - 8th May, 2026. The programme will be supported under the existing academic collaboration and mobility initiatives aimed at strengthening regional partnerships in higher education.

The exchange programme is designed to promote academic engagement, pedagogical innovation, field-based learning, and cross-cultural understanding among geography students and faculty of both institutions. The programme will include structured activities such as classroom observations, co-teaching sessions, faculty dialogues, student seminars, and collaborative academic discussions, focusing on contemporary themes in Geography Education.
A key component of the programme will be a hands-on workshop on Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and Remote Sensing, enabling participants to develop competencies in spatial data analysis, geospatial technologies, and their application in teaching and research. Additionally, a special lecture and discussion on Gross National Happiness (GNH) and sustainable development will provide a unique Bhutanese perspective on development paradigms and their relevance in geography curricula.

The programme also integrates experiential and field-based learning, including an academic field visit to Kaziranga National Park (India) and other parts of North-East India. This will offer participants practical exposure to biodiversity conservation, ecosystem management, and human-environment interactions, thereby strengthening field research skills and applied geographical understanding.

Furthermore, the exchange aims to foster long-term academic collaboration between the two institutions through discussions on joint research initiatives, co-publications, curriculum development, and future student/faculty mobility programmes. It will also enhance participants’ intercultural competence, critical thinking, and 21st-century academic skills, contributing to improved teaching-learning practices.
The delegation from Samtse College of Education will comprise:
* 8 Geography students: 2 from BEd I, 2 from BEd II, 2 from PgDE and 2 from MEd.
* 4 Geography faculty members: Mr. Kuenzang Gyeltshen, Mr. Sonam Chophel, Mr. Jewan Bastola Kumar and Mr. Tashi
•3 Administrative and Technical Staff

The programme is expected to significantly benefit both students and faculty by enhancing disciplinary knowledge, strengthening pedagogical practices, advancing geospatial skills, and promoting regional academic cooperation between Bhutan and India.