Theme: โQuality: Powering Performanceโ
In commemoration of the 71st Birth Anniversary of His Majesty the Fourth Druk Gyalpo, Jigme Singye Wangchuck, the Bhutan Qualifications and Professionals Certification Authority (BQPCA), observed World Quality Day 2026 on November 12 at the Bhutan Institute of Tourism and Hospitality Conference Hall in Thimphu. Marking its first observance in Bhutan, the event inaugurated BQPCA’s annual initiative to promote a culture of quality, accountability and continuous improvement.
The program brought together BQPCA officials and staff of its five Quality Councils, the Association of Bhutanese Training Providers, the Driving Institutes Association of Bhutan and registered training providers, highlighting the importance of collective commitment to advancing quality across higher education, technical and vocational education and training (TVET), and professional practice.
Delivering the keynote address and BQPCA quality mmessage, Director Dr Ugyen Tshewang highlighted quality as a key driver of His Majesty The King’s vision of transforming Bhutan into a developed nation. He emphasised that this requires strong institutions, competent human resources, credible standards and professional excellence. He underscored that BQPCA’s responsibility extends beyond regulation and certification to developing a competent workforce, credible qualifications and professional standards that contribute to national development. He stressed that quality must go beyond compliance and become integral to institutional leadership, decision-making, service delivery and continuous improvement.
A major highlight was the launch of the Strategic Roadmaps of BQPCA’s five Quality Councils: Engineering Professionals Council (EPC), Higher Education Quality Council (HEQC), Medical and Health Professionals Council (MHPC), Teaching Professionals Council (TPC), and Technical and Vocational Education and Training Quality Council (TVET-QC). The respective Council Heads and Chiefs presented their strategic priorities and directions, outlining their commitments to strengthening quality assurance, institutional standards and professional competence. The roadmaps provide a framework for translating regulatory mandates into measurable actions, emphasising implementation, accountability, coordination and institutional performance.
The launch of TVET Management Information System (TVET MIS) Version 3.0 marked another milestone in BQPCA’s digital transformation. Building on the Digital Regulatory System, the enhanced platform is expected to strengthen regulatory oversight, improve information management and reliability, and support timely, evidence-based decision-making in the TVET sector. Together, these initiatives advance regulatory efficiency, transparency and inter-agency connectivity.
The Director also highlighted BQPCA’s Quality Management System, established in accordance with ISO 9001:2015, and its aspiration to become a genuine “House of Quality”โan institution that not only promotes and regulates quality but also demonstrates it through its own governance, systems and service delivery.
Through these initiatives, BQPCA reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening quality assurance, upholding professional standards and fostering continuous improvement. The Authority will institutionalise World Quality Day as an annual observance, encouraging institutions, professionals and stakeholders to embed quality in their everyday practices.
