The October third week of this month for Jigme Namgyel Engineering College was filled with rejuvenating events and exhibition to celebrate the second Druk Tshongrig Gatoen, the entrepreneurship festival of Bhutan. A four major events were organized in the college to mark the significance of the day.
On 17th October 2019, the entrepreneurship club of the college organized inter-house debate and quiz competition on creation of jobs opportunities through entrepreneurship programs in the country. Two participants from each house were selected to speak for and against the moments of the topic. It was conducted both in Dzongkha and English through which faculties and students were made to engage meaningfully in the session until the conclusion of the program.
On 18th October 2019, the club conducted yet another interesting program, the pitch and poster competition under three tracks namely hacker, social and hustler for all final students of different courses. The themes and rubrics for assessing the ideas were circulated two weeks prior to the final day pitching and poster competition. During the final day, only 18 different ideas got selected to pitch and showcase their ideas through charts. All these ideas were displayed on the wall and made faculties to vote for the best idea. At the end, only top six ideas were selected and awarded the prizes. A cash prize of Nu.1500 was awarded to the winner and Nu.1000 was given to the first and second runners respectively.
In addition to this, the civil department students also exhibited their skills and talents in building different models and bridges in Bhutan. Under the guidance of civil faculties, the students came up with unique innovation and creativity in bringing up different models and present to the audience.
These two events were honored and graced by His Excellency Lyonpo Yeshey Penjore, Minister of Agriculture and Forestry, Royal Government of Bhutan. Similarly, on 21st October 2019, the student entrepreneurs’ group of JNEC commenced the ePrinting business in the academic campus to cater printing services to faculties and students at an affordable price. The President of the College inaugurated the unit and provided with the valuable advises to the student entrepreneurs as well as wished them the best of luck in their endeavors. The Deans, Faculties and Staff of the college also attended the symbolic inauguration ceremony of the unit. The Loden Foundation, Thimphu provided free interest loan to the JNEC final year student entrepreneurs under Loden SEED Fund Scheme to start their business in the college. In fact, entire entrepreneurship programs of the college were fully supported by Loden Foundation, Thimphu. The JNEC and Loden Foundation signed a Memorandum of Understanding in September 2019 to strengthen entrepreneurship culture and ecosystem in the college.