September 17, 2025 · Events
HWZ and Bhutan strengthen bridges through entrepreneurship
With an evening full of inspiration and intercultural dialogue, HWZ provided insights into the BEEP education project in Bhutan last Tuesday, 16 September 2025. Experts from academia, industry and politics demonstrated how entrepreneurship can become a driving force for sustainable development – both in the Himalayan kingdom and in Switzerland.
On Tuesday evening, we hosted a special event in the auditorium: “HWZ and Bhutan: Connecting Worlds through Entrepreneurial Education”. For around two hours, the focus was on exploring how education and entrepreneurship can drive social change – and the role that cultural values play in this process.
BEEP – Bhutan Entrepreneurial Education Programme at HWZ
The Bhutan Entrepreneurial Education Programme (BEEP) at HWZ strengthens Bhutan’s economic potential by combining Swiss business expertise with the sustainable values of the Himalayan kingdom. The aim is to inspire a new generation of entrepreneurs who unite economic growth with social responsibility and ecological balance. BEEP brings together knowledge, practical experience and valuable networks to enable a sustainable economic transformation in line with the guiding principle of Gross National Happiness.
Bridges between cultures and values
The event was opened by the rector, Prof. Dr Brian Rüeger. This was followed by Dr Hugo Bigi, head of the Bhutan Entrepreneurial Education Programme (BEEP), who guided attendees through the programme and demonstrated how the project builds bridges between Bhutanese traditions and international business practice.
Insights from Bhutan
Sangay Tshering, president of the Loden Foundation and IT entrepreneur, provided concrete insights into the entrepreneurial reality of Bhutan on this evening, while Rabsel Dorji presented the vision of Gelephu Mindfulness City, the world’s first mindfulness city. Claudio Zingg, co-president of the Society Switzerland-Bhutan, emphasised the close ties between the two countries, which, despite their geographical distance, are underpinned by shared values.
Science in the Pursuit of Happiness
Another highlight of this event was the presentation of a new entrepreneurship study, being developed by Prof Dr Claude Meier and Dr Tiziana Gaito of HWZ in collaboration with the Royal University of Bhutan. The study is based on the concept of ‘Gross National Happiness’ – a guiding principle rooted in Bhutan, which links economic progress with social and environmental balance.
International Perspectives on Partnership
A particularly special moment of the evening was the address by the Ambassador of the Kingdom of Bhutan to Switzerland, H.E. Ms Tshering Lhadn. In her impressive speech, she emphasised the importance of education and entrepreneurship as bridges between Bhutan and Switzerland. Her address added an extra international dimension to the occasion and highlighted the shared values on which the partnership between the two countries is founded.
The evening concluded with an Apéro Riche, providing an opportunity for personal exchange. The event highlighted not only HWZ’s commitment to international educational projects, but also the importance of entrepreneurship as a global tool for sustainable development.
