About the Campus
The Rural Development Training Centre (RDTC) provides a serene and conducive learning environment, complete with authentic facilities and workspace. Its infrastructure showcases traditional Bhutanese architectural elements, using timber and stonework, made possible with the support of Swiss Helvetas. Students receive a balanced education that combines theoretical knowledge with practical experiences. The centre offers a variety of programs, ranging from short-term micro-credentials (1 to 2 months) to National Competency Level certificate courses, catering to working professionals, youth, and job seekers. Situated close to the district headquarters and a historic fortress built in 1522 CE, RDTC is located in a region celebrated for its rich Khengpa cultural heritage, high forest cover, and proximity to three major national parks, making it known as Bhutan’s ecotourism capital. It also acts as a northern gateway to the Gelephu Mindfulness City. Notably, RDTC is the only publicly funded TVET institute in Bhutan that focuses on Food, Agro-industry, and Ornamental Horticulture, with course development in collaboration with Kaserstat University and Humber Polytechnic.
Campus Facilities & Life
The campus is the central place where students, faculty, staff and visitors come together and student life pulsates. It forms the heart of the institute and offers a wide range of facilities and opportunities for study, leisure, social interaction and personal development; Lying amid 52 acres of campus land mostly maintained as natural woodlot and natural reserves a habitat of various species of plant, animals & bird species crisscrossed by natural eco-trials provides serene atmosphere for visitors and students to relax, take nature walk and appreciate nature and biodiversity.
- Building for teaching events: Lectures, seminars, classes are held here. The buildings consists of lecture halls, conference room, laboratories and computer lab.
- Libraries and learning centers: These facilities provide students with access to book collections, journals, and other materials relevant to their studies and research. At @openREAD which is a small open pavilion provides students and visitors to relax and read.
- Administration building: The main admin offices of the institute is located in this building where tasks such as admission, student advising, examination administration and student affairs are handled. This building also serves as faculty sitting area.
- Dining Hall and Cafeterias: The dining hall and cafeterias on campus provide food options for students. They are often meeting places where people can gather to eat, relax, and socialize.
- Sports and recreation facilities: The campus have sports facilities such as basketball; volleyball, Table tennis, carom boards and other indoor games facilities. Even zumba session is also held regularly. These provide opportunities for students to exercise, play sports, and relax during their free time.
- Residence hostels: The campus also provides separate girls and boys hostel facilities. These offer comfortable and student-friendly accommodation and promote coexistence and exchange among students.
- Other Buildings and Workspace: The campus comprises of various buildings as practical workspace like food processing unit, bakery cum confectionery, dairy product development unit, barista practical space; Herbs and spices processing unit; The campus also consists of various protected structures like automated and normal greenhouse; shade and nets houses and fruit and vegetable practical plots along with fruit and flower nurseries which provides workspace for practical learning and working environments for students and faculty.
- Tree top deck, Open Pavilion and Eco Trail : provides students and visitors to relax and take nature walk.