Guwahati, July 14: The Assam Royal Global University (RGU) has welcomed internationally renowned academician, education leader, researcher, and advocate of holistic education, Dr. Dorji Thinley as Professor in the Department of English. Prof. Thinley, who hails from the Kingdom of Bhutan, was formally felicitated by the University's senior leadership during a special
programme held on campus yesterday.
With an illustrious career spanning several decades in Bhutan's higher education sector, and a Ph.D. from the University of New England, Australia, Prof. Thinley brings to RGU a wealth of expertise in teacher education, academic leadership, quality assurance, research, international collaboration, and mindfulness-based education.
Speaking on the occasion, Prof. Dorji Thinley highlighted the importance of integrating mindfulness into education and everyday life. He said that while academic knowledge is essential, true education must also nurture the human mind with qualities such as awareness, compassion, kindness, and empathy.
“Mindfulness is not confined to a particular discipline. Whether it is literature, sociology, science,
mathematics, or artificial intelligence, we must recognise that at the heart of every field lies the
human mind. By cultivating mindfulness, students can enhance their academic performance, develop
emotional intelligence, and become more responsible global citizens,” he said.
Emphasising the relationship between mindfulness and environmental responsibility, Prof. Thinley
stated, “Warmth, kindness, care, and compassion should define our relationship with the natural
environment. We are all interconnected and dependent on one another. When we become mindful, we
naturally become more compassionate towards nature and understand the need to conserve it. Without
mindfulness, we cannot truly appreciate or protect our environment.”
He further expressed his commitment to introducing mindfulness practices among students at RGU,
enabling them to cultivate greater focus, resilience, and inner well-being while excelling in academics
and other aspects of life.
A published author and trained practitioner of Buddhist yoga, mindfulness, and meditation techniques,
Prof. Thinley has played a pioneering role in shaping Bhutan’s higher education landscape. He has
taught and supervised postgraduate research at Bhutan’s two colleges of education and has held
several prestigious leadership positions, including Chair of the Programmes and Quality Committee of
the Royal University of Bhutan (RUB), Director of Research and External Relations, and President of
both colleges of education under RUB.
He has served as Chair of the Technical Advisory Committee for the Higher Education Quality
Council and is a Board Member of the Comparative Education Society of Asia (CESA). Throughout
his distinguished career, he has spearheaded the establishment of centres dedicated to happiness,
wellbeing, heritage education, creative arts, artificial intelligence facilities, and specialised libraries.
