The International Relations Office (IRO) is a division that falls under the Department of External Relations Development. We administer and manage the international affairs of the Royal Thimphu College. The Office is responsible for overseeing and developing international student exchange agreements along with participation in international networks and cooperation with academic partners.

We welcome a growing number of international students annually and provide various services for incoming international students and visiting staff. The IRO was established in 2009 to respond to the needs of a growing number of international students, resulting from our partnerships with various universities in Europe, the USA, Australia, Japan, Singapore, Canada, Nepal, and India. At the time there were a number of students from overseas who needed assistance with the settling-in process and advice in complying with the new environment of Bhutan. The original mission of the office remains the same which is to provide information to the students on a wide range of topics, including immigration issues, handle financials, social and cultural differences, and resources at Royal Thimphu College and also enhance diversities within the campus. IR has improved and grown over the years and it aims to increase the international student population to 15%.

Since its foundation, IRO has represented various relationships between international students and the Royal Government of Bhutan’s agencies that have jurisdiction over their stay here. Over the years, IRO has played a gradually significant part in advocacy with government agencies and legislators on issues concerning international students and scholars.