The tiny kingdom, located in the Himalayas, is about the size of the province of Jämtland in central Sweden, but despite its small size, the country is at the forefront of climate issues. It is one of the greenest countries in the world with 70 per cent forests, and the only country in the world that is carbon negative, i.e. reduces the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere.
This is of interest to the researchers at LTH, including Henrik Davidsson who is a researcher in energy and building design. In 2014, with funding from the EU and Erasmus+, he initiated a collaboration with the Royal University of Bhutan.
This led to the establishment of a Master’s programme in Renewable Energy and Energy-Efficient Construction. Since then, contact between LTH and the Royal University of Bhutan has continued through projects linking education and research in the two countries.
“Right now we are working together on a project that deals with solar-powered crop drying for small-scale agriculture in rural areas and the technical and social issues involved,” says Henrik Davidsson.
Student projects with practical benefits
Martin Andersson, Professor of Heat Transfer, has also joined the group from Lund, which has a research and teaching exchange programme with Bhutan. He says that the work of Bhutanese students generally has a directly applicable effect and that their projects usually result in practical benefits.
“Students’ work is often linked to what is needed at the university. This could be designing and building a roof over an outdoor space needed on campus or working with a local business for mutual benefit.”
The LTH researchers have also initiated a student exchange programme between Lund University and the Royal University of Bhutan. Students from Lund spend time in Bhutan and vice versa. One of those who has done so is Christian Rissler. As an ecosystem engineering student in 2022, he was asked if he wanted to do his degree project in Bhutan.
“This was an offer I couldn’t refuse. Having the opportunity to combine my studies with an insight into a country that not many people visit – it was the coolest and most unique experience I’ve ever had,” he says.
Inspired by the philosophy of life
Christian Rissler is now a doctoral student in heat transfer and, in addition to continuing his collaboration with the Royal University of Bhutan, has also brought back the country’s attitude to life.
“I carry with me that materialism is not so important and that happiness can be achieved in so many ways other than through financial wealth. The threshold at which the amount of money stops being directly related to personal happiness is much lower than I previously thought.”
Putting happiness and joy above monetary value does not mean that economic growth is not worthwhile.
“But cultural, social and sustainable values are so much more prominent,” says Henrik Davidsson.
He believes that this also permeates university life in Bhutan. Students, lecturers and other staff live mainly on campus and everyone knows and cares for each other.
Martin Andersson has been inspired by it and wants his research team to feel happy and safe in their interactions:
“When we have a strong social foundation, we dare to discuss ideas more openly and solve problems together in a creative way. I feel that this results in a higher quality of research and greater sense of joy in day-to-day work.”
