Celebrating 50 Years of Jigme Namgyel Engineering College
Jigme Namgyel Engineering College (JNEC) located in Dewathang, Samdrup Jongkhar celebrated a significant milestone on February 22 as it marked its 50th Golden Jubilee. Established initially as the Royal Bhutan Polytechnic on 22 February 1974 to train mid-level engineering technicians, the institution has transformed over the years into a renowned center for knowledge, innovation and excellence.
The institution saw its inaugural batch comprising just 5 students, a principal, an English teacher, a cook and a driver housed in a single bamboo shed serving as both a classroom and hostel. Under the Royal Command of His Majesty the Fourth Druk Gyalpo, it evolved into an engineering college offering full-fledged engineering degrees within the country. This transition marked the enrollment of the first batch of Bachelor Programme students in September 2001. It was renamed Jigme Namgyel Engineering College the following year.
Currently, the institution has a staff strength of 124 catering to 661 students and offers three Bachelor’s and eight Diploma programmes. The academic programmes are targeted towards meeting the engineering and management professionals to support the country’s infrastructure development. It plans to introduce new diploma programmes including Diploma in Multimedia and Animation from July 2024.
To date, the institution has successfully trained 5548 engineering professionals who now play pivotal roles across various organizations significantly contributing to national development.
The celebration was held from February 21-23 coinciding with the Birth Anniversary of His Majesty The King. The Hon’ble Lyonpo for Education and Skills Development graced the occasion on February 23 as the Chief Guest alongside dignitaries including the Consul General of India, Phuentsholing and Dasho Dzongdag, Samdrup Jongkhar.
Addressing the event, Lyonpo expressed gratitude towards the commitment and effort shown by the faculty, staff, students and alumni, recognizing their crucial roles in contributing to the overall success of the institution.
The event also marked the inauguration of a new three-story academic building replacing the old mechanical engineering structure which had become unsuitable for use. Funded by the Government of India with a budget of Nu.96.8 million, the new building features six classrooms, eight laboratories, a conference hall, a drawing hall and 21 faculty offices.
Besides, the day witnessed the launching of a book titled, “The Language of Structural Design-I” authored by Nima Dorji, a JNEC alumni. According to the author, the book aims to provide a comprehensive guide to structural design procedures for frame structure buildings. It contains 13 chapters covering seismic and wind load designs along with the design of various retaining structures, complemented by solved design examples for reference.
Additional pictures online at https://www.facebook.com/SherigBhutan/posts/837161975116850