A total of 67 ECPFs are currently registered and regulated by the Council. Representatives from 62 firms attended the meeting along with officials from relevant agencies. The AGM served as an important platform to discuss sector-related issues, gather stakeholder feedback, and deliberate on regulatory and policy developments related to international education services and student mobility.
Delivering the keynote address, Dr. Ugyen Tshewang, Director of BQPCA, highlighted the growing importance of ECPFs in Bhutan’s education ecosystem and national human capital development. He emphasised that ECPFs are no longer merely private businesses facilitating overseas admissions, but important national stakeholders contributing toward shaping the aspirations, careers, and global exposure of Bhutanese youth.
Available data indicate significant changes in Bhutan’s outbound student mobility trends. Australia, which accounted for 79.32% of outbound students in 2023, declined to 50.51% in 2024 and further to 39.87% in 2025. In contrast, India’s share increased substantially from 6.58% in 2023 to 46.45% in 2025, emerging as the leading destination for Bhutanese students. Europe also recorded a decline from 4.59% in 2024 to 2.09% in 2025.
Overall, the total number of Bhutanese students pursuing studies abroad through ECPFs decreased significantly from 4,941 students in 2023 to 958 students in 2025. However, these figures are limited to students facilitated by ECPFs and do not include students sent abroad through government scholarship programmes or those pursuing studies independently.
The keynote address further emphasised professionalism, ethical responsibility, transparency, and student-centred counselling within the consultancy sector. ECPFs were encouraged to strengthen professional counselling services, staff capacity, ethical standards, and collaboration with HEQC to safeguard student interests.
A key agenda item during the AGM was the presentation of the draft Regulations of the Council, which includes a dedicated chapter on the regulation of ECPFs. The proposed transition from the existing Guidelines for ECPFs 2021 to a formal regulatory framework is expected to strengthen governance, accountability, and public confidence in the sector.
