Jigme Namgyel Engineering College, Royal University of Bhutan (JNEC, RUB) is a beneficiary institution participating in the European Union project called ‘Capacity Enhancement in Electrical Equipment Condition Monitoring and Fault Diagnostics’ (CEEECoM). The project, coordinated by Aalto University in Finland, involves partners from Europe, Nepal, and Bhutan. As a significant initial step, three teams from JNEC, RUB were deployed to various locations across the country to conduct a comprehensive needs assessment survey. This survey is vital for understanding the current state and requirements of organizations involved in electrical equipment condition monitoring and fault diagnostics. The findings of this survey will play a crucial role in our preparation of relevant laboratories, courses, and curricula that cater to the needs of our students and the services we offer to organizations in this field. Additionally, this visit strengthens our collaboration with stakeholders and facilitates mutual support and initiatives.
During the survey, we covered five hydropower industries with switchyards, six manufacturing industries, and nine service industries located in different parts of the country. It became evident that the majority of these industries face challenges in terms of condition monitoring and fault diagnostics. These challenges primarily arise due to a shortage of technical experts in the local region and the substantial investment required for infrastructure enhancement. Despite these obstacles, many industries have made commendable efforts to address these issues through in-house capacity building, incorporating training and leveraging their experiences.
JNEC, RUB would like to express sincere gratitude to the management and officials of the organizations that actively participated in this critical survey. The college will develop further courses of action within the project’s duration and beyond, and we consistently seek the cooperation and support of these organizations in our endeavors.