Dasho Chewang Rinzin
Vice Chancellor
Royal University of Bhutan
Keynote Speaker

Dasho Chewang Rinzin was appointed as the Vice Chancellor of the Royal University of Bhutan by His Majesty The King on 20th December 2024. Prior to this appointment, he served as the Director of the Royal Institute for Governance and Strategic Studies (RIGSS) and concurrently as a Dy. Chamberlain to His Majesty The King. He worked at the institute for 11 years (2013-2024) and was its founding director.
Dasho Chewang started his career as an engineer at the Bhutan Standards Bureau (BSB) where he served for 11 years (2002-2013). While at BSB, he was a member of the core negotiating team for Bhutan’s accession to the World Trade Organisation (WTO) as the expert on Technical Barriers to Trade.
Dasho Chewang has a Bachelor’s degree in Electrical and Electronics Engineering from the University of Kerala in India and a Master’s degree in Public Administration from the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy, National University of Singapore.

Phuntsho Namgay is the Officiating Director of the Department of Innovation and Technology. Under this role, he leads the department’s efforts in developing Bhutan’s Innovation Ecosystem for tech-based and a start-up economy by leveraging Research & Development for technology with values. With an MBA from the Australian Graduate School of Management, his experience ranges from Grass Root Innovations to Ecosystem building.
He hopes to use his experience and efforts to contribute to his Majesty the Fifth’s vision of a transformed Bhutan

Phuntsho Namgay
Offtg. Director
Department of InnoTech
DHI
Keynote Speaker

Phuntsho Gyeltshen
Project Director
Gyalsung Infra
His Majesty’s Secretariat
Keynote Speaker

Mr. Phuntsho Gyeltshen has served the government in various capacities throughout his distinguished career. He commenced his service in 1989 as an engineer with the Ministry of Agriculture and subsequently held key positions including District Engineer in Tsirang Dzongkhag, National Coordinator in the Research Extension and Irrigation Division, and Project Director/Superintending Engineer in the Department of Urban Development and Engineering Services under the Ministry of Works and Human Settlement.
From 2008 to 2010, Mr. Gyeltshen served as the Mayor and Executive Secretary of the Thimphu City Corporation. Prior to his secondment to Gyalsung Infra in February 2020, he was the Chief Executive Officer of the Construction Development Corporation Limited (CDCL).
Mr. Gyeltshen holds a Master’s Degree in Civil Engineering from Nagoya Institute of Technology, Japan, a Bachelor’s Degree in Civil Engineering from the Regional Engineering College (NIT Warangal), India, and a Diploma in Civil Engineering from the Royal Bhutan Polytechnic, Dewathang, Bhutan.

Conference Chair

Co-Chair

Convener

Bhutan National Bank

About Bhutan National Bank (BNB):
Established in 1997, BNB has grown into a leading financial institute in Bhutan, committed to driving economic growth and financial inclusion. With a vision to provide innovative banking solutions, BNB has been a trusted partner for individuals, businesses, and institutions. BNB has its presence and coverage across the country.

With a strong foundation built on reliability, customer-centric services, and technological advancements, BNB offers a wide range of financial products, including corporate and retail banking, and digital banking solutions. It was the first Bank to launch many new innovative products such as the Core Banking Solution (CBS), Automated Teller Machine (ATM), card services, digital banking App (mPay), customer loyalty program and on-line onboarding of customers.

BNB's commitment to excellence has been recognized at the ICC Emerging Asia Banking Conclave & Awards by conferring BNB with the 'Best Bank in Bhutan' award for two consecutive years, 2023 and 2024.

Collaborations with the College of Science and Technology (CST):
Besides being a key player in Bhutan’s financial sector, the bank also actively supports sustainable development and corporate social responsibility initiatives. BNB launched its Scholarship program in May 2024, in partnership with the CST, to support the financially disadvantaged students for their higher studies. The program offers scholarship for two students pursuing Bachelor of Engineering in Information Technology, in the CST. What is even more significant is that BNB will be offering employment opportunities to these students after they complete their studies.

Latest initiatives:
In November 2024, BNB unveiled the BNB Loyalty Program, first of its kind in the country. This initiative rewards customers for engaging in various banking activities across BNB's digital banking ecosystem, including QR payments, ATM withdrawals, POS transactions, internet banking, and agency banking. Features like 'Cashback Quest' offer incentives to customers for using services such as mobile recharges and loan repayments, while “Top user challenge” and “Number of years Banked” plays crucial roles in the Bank’s customer retention endeavor. BNB is proud to sponsor the 3rd international conference on Science, Engineering and Technology, reinforcing its commitment to fostering global collaboration and economic progress.

Druk Holding and Investment

About Druk Holding & Investments Ltd. (DHI)

DHI’s vision is to be the leading wealth management and creation organization that enables Bhutan to transform into a globally competitive economy, while its mission is to safeguard and enhance Bhutan’s national wealth for all generations. DHI aims to grow its assets tenfold by 2040, in alignment with Bhutan’s strategic initiatives such as the Gelephu Mindfulness City. Its transformation is anchored in three core strategies:

• Portfolio Optimization: Strengthening governance and efficiency across 24 subsidiaries through restructuring, strategic investments, and streamlined capital allocation.

• Targeted Investment: Prioritizing high-impact sectors like energy, infrastructure, manufacturing, mining, and global securities.

• Innovation-Driven Growth: Building a future-ready economy through technology, deep-tech ventures, and a thriving startup ecosystem.

These strategies are underpinned by robust financing, cutting-edge technology, and empowered human capital—enabling DHI to drive Bhutan’s economic diversification, global competitiveness, and innovation-led sustainable growth.