Sustainable Development

Aims of the programme

The sustainable development programme is introduced based on the wider understanding that the natural resources are used to the extent that it may be not be substitutable and may not be reversible if the past and the current trend is adopted. So it is assumed that societies need to manage three types of capital resources such as economic, social, and natural resources. Often, the development is driven by one particular need and not considering the wider impacts. Until now we have experienced the damage that the existing approach have caused and could cause so the longer we pursue unsustainable development, the more scarce and severe the degradation of natural resources would be. The sustainable development is a developmental approach that meets the needs of the present without compromising the needs of future generations. Therefore, the approach basically is to meet the human development goals while at the same time sustaining the ability of the natural systems to cater to the needs of future generation. In order to do so, the United Nations has introduced more succinct, universal, integrated and transformative Sustainable developmental goals. This programme basically aims to equip the students with the concept of socio-economic development and environmental protection for the current and for the future generations. It is therefore believed that the renewed vision of sustainable human and social development that is both equitable and viable could be achieved by teaching and practicing the approach of sustainable development. Educating the youth of today and empowering them with the concept that could build the human resources we need to be productive, to continue to learn by solving problem, by being creative and live with nature in peace and harmony. This vision also aligns with the country’s developmental philosophy of Gross National Happiness which is what the programme is expected to contribute to by equipping students with right attitude towards nature and balanced approach to development.

Learning Outcomes of the programme

On completion of the programme, students will be able to:

• Articulate the concept of sustainable development.

• Explain social organizations and socio-logical principles linking local communities.
• Elucidate local and global problems and examine them in order to enhance adaptation and resilience.
• Analyze and apply the concept of sustainable development relating to Gross National Happiness.
• Narrate socio-logical principles and apply them to tackling community problems.
• Describe the relationship between human and organizational behavior relating them to balanced socio-economic development and conservation of the environment.
• Apply knowledge and skills of research and statistics and analyze the resources required for current and future generations.
• Identify and apply the development and communication ethics in line with the country’s developmental needs while conserving the environment.
• Analyze human and environmental health and link them to nutrition, resources used and the human well-being.
• Assist rural communities to develop and embrace sustainable community based natural resources management practices.

Career related opportunities

The programme prepares graduates for an interesting and rewarding career as researchers, development specialists, project and programme managers, planners and field workers. The graduates will be able to find employment in various government agencies, corporations, NGOs, international organizations, businesses, media, and in private sectors. Furthermore, the programme is also suitable for graduates who want to assume leadership positions in local governments and pursue a career in politics.

Programme Structure

Year	Semester	Modules
1	1	DEV101 Introduction to Sustainable Development	SOC101 Introduction to Sociology	ACS101 Academic Skills	DZG101 Dzongkha Communication	ECN101 Development Economics
	2	GSE101 Analytical Skills	SOC102 Bhutanese Society and Culture	EVS102 Environmental Studies	ECL103 Principles of Ecology and Ecosystem	COM101 Introduction to Development Communication
2	1	EDP201 Entrepreneurship Development	GIS201 Geographical Information System and  Remote sensing	MGT201 Organizational Management and Leadership	APR407 Sustainable Livestock Farming	AGR202 Sustainable Crop Production and Land Use
	2	STS201 Statistics	RES201 Research Methods	DEV202 Sustainable Infrastructure Development	CLM205 Climate Change: Vulnerability, Mitigation and Adaptation	EDP202 Agri-business and Marketing
3	1	PHD301 Public Health for Sustainable Development	NRM301 Integrated Watershed Management	NRM302 Community Based Natural Resource Management and  Ecotourism	NRM303 Natural Resource Economics	DEV303 Introduction to Public Policy Processes
	2	ATT301 Internship	MGT302 Project Planning and Management	CLM306 Disaster and Hazard Management	RES302 Research Project
Note: All modules are of 12 credits except RES302 which is 24 credit. Pre-course on ICT Skills is not credited.