GCIT proudly co-organised the 5th Unifying Borders through International Annual Networking (UBIAN) Conference 2026 in collaboration with the University of Batangas, Philippines held from February 19 to 20, 2026.

This milestone builds upon the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed on July 8, 2024, between GCIT and the University of Batangas, a strategic partnership designed to expand academic cooperation, faculty and student exchange, collaborative projects, research, scholarships, and joint programme review.

Through this collaboration aligned with Bhutan’s vision of building a globally competent and future-ready workforce, the Royal Civil Service Commission (RCSC) - GCIT Scholarship is sponsoring two students annually to pursue studies at the University of Batangas. Beginning August last year, the first batch of students from the School of Interactive Design and Development commenced their joint degree pathway, working toward a Bachelor of Multimedia Arts (BMMA) alongside their Bachelor of Interactive Design and Development (BIDD). This joint degree initiative strengthens international exposure, enhances intercultural competence, and equips students with technical, entrepreneurial and creative skills that will directly contribute to Bhutan’s talent pool in both the civil service and the private sector .

Representing GCIT at the conference, Ms. Ugyen Choden (AI and Fullstack Development) presented a co-authored research paper titled, “Case Study on GCIT Startups: From Classroom Innovation to Entrepreneurship,” alongside Ms. Chimi Dema, Mr. Yonten Jamtsho, and Mrs. Jigme Wangmo. The study highlighted how classroom-driven innovation at GCIT is nurtured into entrepreneurial initiatives, promoting student engagement, global awareness , inclusive internationalization, leadership development, and cross-cultural collaboration.

Dr. Daisy D. Maghirang, the Chairman of the 5th UBIAN Conference Secretariat 2026, expressed that GCIT‘s role in UBIAN Conference, 2026 reflects strong commitment to building academic bridges, fostering cross-border partnerships, and empowering institutions to create inclusive and future ready learning environments.

Mrs. Christine Ann C. Hernandez, the International Student Services Officer at the University of Batangas, also shared, “The University of Batangas warmly embraces our partnership with GCIT – Royal University of Bhutan as a landmark collaboration in international education and friendship between institutions and cultures. This partnership signifies a meaningful step toward expanding cross-cultural learning opportunities, promoting student and faculty exchanges, and co-creating research and community engagement programs that uplift both institutions and their stakeholders.”

Through the RCSC-GCIT Scholarship and this growing partnership with the University of Batangas, GCIT continues to invest in international collaboration as a long-term strategy for strengthening Bhutan’s human capital, nurturing globally minded, technically skilled, and innovation-driven graduates who are prepared to contribute meaningfully to the nation’s development.