The final elevator pitch session was conducted in Lecture Hall 1 on January 4, 2026, featuring proposals from Groups 76 through 100. Under the facilitation of Mr. Namgay Tenzin, member of the Programme Committee, each of the 25 groups delivered a concise five-minute presentation. The session proceeded efficiently, showcasing a wide array of strategic ideas for the development of RUB.
The presentations collectively revealed several strong, recurring thematic areas. Digital transformation and knowledge democratization emerged as the most dominant theme, with multiple pitches for integrated digital platforms designed to break down institutional silos and make intellectual capital more accessible. A closely related emphasis was on enhancing research visibility and societal impact, with proposals aimed at bridging the gap between academia, policy, and public engagement. Other significant themes included faculty development and empowerment, the holistic development of students, strategic internationalization, sustainable infrastructure, and initiatives to boost institutional efficiency and a unified identity.
Among the many ideas presented, four were selected for further development. The following are the top proposal according to their assessment ranks:
- Group 93: Presented ‘RUB Digital NeXus’, a unified digital learning platform. The proposal focuses on offering certified, short professional courses developed by RUB faculty in niche areas like GNH studies, aiming to reduce dependency on foreign platforms and establish RUB as a global hub for Bhutan-specific knowledge.
- Group 79: Pitched the establishment of a dedicated ‘RUB Media Hub’. The core proposal is to create a central communications unit to produce and disseminate research summaries, policy insights, and educational content via TV and social media, aiming to elevate RUB’s public profile and policy influence.
- Group 78: Proposed ‘RUB Smart Classrooms 2035’, a plan to develop technology-enabled learning ecosystems across campuses. The key idea involves installing integrated systems for lecture recording and interactive tools to support blended, resilient, and pedagogically innovative teaching aligned with GNH principles.
- Group 86: Introduced the ‘Connect RUB (cRUB) Portal’, a centralized knowledge management system. The idea is to consolidate faculty expertise, research outputs, and student projects into one platform to foster structured collaboration between academia, industry, and government for applied, national-priority-driven work.
The session demonstrated a high level of strategic cohesion, with proposals from diverse disciplines complementing each other to form a comprehensive vision for an integrated, visible, and forward-looking institution. Collectively, the pitches from this room provided a substantial and actionable portfolio of ideas, significantly contributing to the summit’s goal of generating transformative strategies for the university. The selected top ideas particularly reflect a focused priority on digital integration and strategic communication.