Royal aunt to establish a private college

Thimphu, May 12: The royal family member will open a private college in Bhutan in the next two years.

Aunt by relation of the present king Jigme Khesar, Ashi Kezang Wangmo Wangchuck will be the chief investor for the new private college, the first to of the country.

The collage will be established in the outskirts of Thimphu valley at Nagbephu village, 10 km from the main town.

The memorandum of understanding to this project has been signed by the vice chancellor of the Royal University of Bhutan Zhangley Drukpa, the education secretary Pema Thinley, and Tenzin Yonten on Wangchuk's behalf on May 11.

Beginning this July, construction will be completed by July 2009.

The first private college, accommodating at least 900, will offer Bachelors of Arts, Commerce, Business Administration, Computer Applications and Science.

Student pressure for higher education has been rising in the country since Sherubtse College can intake only 35 percent of class XII passed outs. Bhutan News Service