Speakers – Australia-Bhutan Research Conference 2025

Conference — Theme Cards

List of Selected Presenters for the 3rd Australia Bhutan Research Conference

Theme

Innovation in Higher Education

Advancing Inclusive and Innovative Education in Bhutan

Mr Norbu Wangdi

Ministry of Education and Skills Development

Affordances and Barriers to Technology Use in Bhutanese Secondary School Science Classrooms

Ms Tshering Om Tamang

Samtse College of Education, Royal University of Bhutan

Exploring the integration of generative AI tools in Teaching, Learning and Assessment in the colleges of the Royal University of Bhutan (RUB): Students’ Perspective on potential benefits and challenges

Dr Phuntsho Wangdi

KTM Consulting Group, Australia

Designing an inclusive and comprehensive education policy for School Education in Bhutan

Dr Kinley

Samtse College of Education, Royal University of Bhutan

Exploring Equity and Inclusion using Universal Design for Learning and Teaching at Samtse College of Education

Theme

Happiness and Wellbeing in Cross-Cultural Context

Dr Kezang Sherab

Royal Thimphu College

All is not well: The mental health, resilience, substance use, sexual risk behaviour and bullying experiences of college students in Bhutan - Policy and practice implications

Mr. Tshering Dorji

Shari Higher Secondary School, Paro, MoESD

Random forest analysis reveals bullying and sexual abuse as key factors contributing to suicidal ideation among Bhutanese Students

Professor Vicki Banham

Edith Cowan University, Australia

Exploring Knowledge Exchange in a Cultural Immersion Program: A Preliminary Study

Dr Jambay Lhamo

Paro College of Education, Royal University of Bhutan

Compassion in Practice: Perspectives of Bhutanese Primary Science Teachers

Theme

Climate Resilience and Sacred Ecology

Mr Tshering Gyeltshen

Sherubtse College, Royal University of Bhutan

Climate Trend Analysis and Projection in Bhutan Using a Hybrid Deep Learning Model

Dr. Yeshey Khandu

College of Natural Resources, Royal University of Bhutan

Dendroclimatic Reconstruction Unfolds Chronicles of Climate Change over Northern Bhutan Himalayas

Dr Om Katel

College of Natural Resources, Royal University of Bhutan

Climate Change Discourses in Bhutan Himalayas: Impacts, Adaptation Funding, and Policy Options

Mr Tashi Dendup

Wesley Mission Queensland, Australia

Evaluation Ecosystem: A case of Bhutan

Mr. Karma Sherub

ETH Zurich, Switzerland & College of Natural Resources, Royal University of Bhutan

Comparing watershed-based eDNA sampling and camera trapping for assessing mammal diversity in north-western Bhutan

Mr. Jigme Thinley

College of Natural Resources, Royal University of Bhutan

Environmental DNA (eDNA) in mammal species monitoring in Biological Corridors of Bhutan

Mr Ugyen Dorji

College of Natural Resources, Royal University of Bhutan

Spatio-Temporal Profiling of Aquatic Biodiversity in Stream Habitats in Gelephu Mindfulness City

Dr Karma Jamtsho

Edith Cowan University, Australia

Urbanisation and specifically impervious cover alter riparian plant communities in a rapidly urbanising landscape in the Himalayas

Mr Jambay

Australian Rivers Institute, Griffith University, Australia

Understanding Drying Springs in the Bhutan Himalayas: Toward a Science-Based Water Management Framework

Dr. Sherub Phuntsho

University of Technology Sydney, Australia

Resource Recovery from Wastewater: Opportunities and Challenges

Mr. Vasker Sharma

Jigme Namgyel Engineering College, Royal University of Bhutan

Emission reduction potential of a food waste-based biogas plant: Installation and lesson learned in Bhutan

Ms Rinzin Dema

Queensland University of Technology, Australia

Uncovering Clean Energy Deprivation in Bhutan: A Multidimensional Analysis of Household Energy Use.

Theme

Digital Mindfulness and the Future of Human–Technology Relations

Ms. Tashi Yangchen

Jigme Namgyel Engineering College, Royal University of Bhutan

Strengthening Digital Defenses: Evaluating the Impact of Cybersecurity Awareness Workshops Among First-Year Engineering Students in Bhutan

Mr Sreekanth Nethagani

Jigme Namgyel Engineering College, Royal University of Bhutan

Digital Transformation Meets Cyber Threats: Strengthening Bhutan’s Hydropower Security Framework

Dr. Allistair McEwan

The University of Sydney, Australia

Mindful Innovation of Assistive Technology

Dr Madura Thiwanka Pathirana

Edith Cowan University, Australia

Digital Mindfulness in Tourism: Insights from Australia and Strategies for Bhutan’s Nature-Based Experiences

Mr Karchung

The University of Sydney, Australia

Small Solutions, Big Impact: A Self-Powered Bili-Blanket to Tackle Infant Jaundice in Resource-Limited Settings

Dr. Bhim Bahadur Rai

Australian National University, Australia

Vitreoretinal diseases in Bhutan: Epidemiology and Novel Diagnostic Device

Mr Indra Prasad Sharma

National Medical Services, Ministry of Health, Bhutan

Bhutan School Sight Survey: An Epidemiological Assessment of Refractive Error in School children

Dr. Phurpa Wangchuk

James Cook University, Australia

Next-Gen Biotherapeutics: Harnessing Plants' Magic Bullet using Integrated AI and Multi-Modal Science Approaches'

Theme

Integration of STEM for Societal Impact

Dr Leela Rizal

Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation, Australia

Genomic analyses and mating tests among sympatric isolates of Beauveria bassiana provide evidence for a diverse cryptic species complex

Dr Mumta Chhetri

The University of Sydney, Australia

Integrated Surveillance and Biosecurity Strategies for Plant Pathogens: Lessons from Australia for Bhutan

Mr Tshewang Nidup

College of Science and Technology, Royal University of Bhutan

Attributes of Bhutanese Conifer Timber for Optimal and Sustainable Application in the Building and Construction Sector

Mr. Samten Lhendup

Jigme Namgyel Engineering College, Royal University of Bhutan

Comparative Study on Thermal Performance of Mud Rammed and Concrete Residential Building Envelope in Paro - Bhutan

Theme

Governance, Public Policy, and Leadership

Dr. Deki Choden

Edith Cowan University, Australia

The Role of CSR in Achieving SDGs: A Case Study from Bhutan

Dr Gembo Tshering

Paro College of Education, Royal University of Bhutan

Financing and Governance of Primary Education in Bhutan: Challenges, Gaps, and Policy Implications

Mr Kinley Rinchen

Edith Cowan University, Australia

Reimagining post-pandemic workplace culture to foster psychological well-being in Bhutan.