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WP2 - Targeted Call

Network Engineering Expertise

Develop Local Network & Systems Engineering Expertise in Research & Education Institutes of Bhutan

Project Overview

The project aimed to strengthen technical capacity across Bhutan's DrukREN member institutions. With over 200 connected agencies, many lacked the skills and infrastructure to fully utilize DrukREN's high-speed network. Through Train-the-Trainers (TTT) programs and capacity-building workshops, the project focused on CCNA, CCNP, IPv6 deployment, and network automation.

🌐 DrukREN Network
Bhutan's national research and education network connecting over 200 institutions across the country
40 Total Participants
2 CCNA Certified
200+ Institutions Connected
5 Days Workshop

Key Technical Skills Developed

CCNA
CCNP
IPv6 Deployment
Network Automation
L1-L3 Networking
Troubleshooting

Training Programs

👨‍🏫
Train the Trainers (TTT)
Bangkok, Thailand

Intensive CCNA and CCNP training for DrukREN engineers to build advanced skills in network design, configuration, management, and troubleshooting.

10 Engineers
2 Certified
🎓
Capacity Building Workshop
Paro, Bhutan

Five-day workshop training 30 network administrators from DrukREN member institutions in L1-L3 networking, IPv6 deployment, and network automation.

30 Admins
5 Days
🔬
Hands-on Lab Sessions
Practical Training

Participants configured routers, switches, and security settings, applying knowledge to real-world networking scenarios and troubleshooting tasks.

100% Practical
Real Scenarios

Partner Organizations

Department of Information Technology & Telecom (DITT)
Ministry of Information and Communications, Royal Government of Bhutan
Government Technology Agency (GovTech)
Royal Government of Bhutan
Druk Research and Education Network (DrukREN)
National R&E Network
Network Training Center (NTC)
Bangkok, Thailand - Training Provider
Bhutan Network Operators Group (btNOG)
Professional Network Community
Ministry of Education and Skills Development
Royal Government of Bhutan

Activities Conducted

Train the Trainers Program

Ten DrukREN engineers attended intensive CCNA and CCNP training in Bangkok to build advanced skills for national infrastructure improvement.

CCNA Certification Support

Two participants successfully passed the CCNA certification exam, validating their technical competencies for supporting DrukREN operations.

Five-Day Technical Workshop

Workshop in Paro trained 30 network administrators in L1-L3 networking, IPv6 deployment, and network automation with lectures and labs.

Practical Laboratory Sessions

Hands-on labs where participants configured routers, switches, and security settings for real-world networking scenarios.

btNOG-10 Collaboration

Partnership with btNOG-10 featured expert trainers and facilitated regional collaboration to enhance Bhutan's networking capacity.

Visibility and Outreach

Project promoted through social media, banners, photography, and videos via DrukREN website and Facebook page.

Key Outcomes

DrukREN Engineers Trained

10 engineers attended CCNA and CCNP training in Bangkok, strengthening skills in managing and troubleshooting networks.

Professional Certification Achievement

2 engineers passed the CCNA exam, officially validating their networking knowledge and supporting institutional operations.

Network Administrators Capacity

30 administrators received essential training in networking fundamentals, IPv6 deployment, and network automation through five-day workshop.

Practical Skills Development

Participants engaged in hands-on labs applying routing, switching, VLAN, and troubleshooting concepts in real scenarios.

Training Resources Created

Workshop manuals, guides, and lab resources developed to enable continuous training within DrukREN institutions.

Enhanced Public Engagement

Project activities shared through banners, videos, website posts, and social media to increase visibility and awareness.

Comprehensive Documentation

Detailed final report capturing project implementation, outcomes, and financials submitted to TEIN*CC.

Relevant SDGs

SDG 4: Quality Education SDG 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals

Challenges & Future Directions

Challenges Encountered

Limited Technical Skills

Many new DrukREN member institutions lacked skilled personnel to manage and troubleshoot campus networks effectively.

Lack of Local Training Resources

Absence of structured, in-country technical training made skill development dependent on international programs.

High Dependency on External Trainers

Reliance on overseas trainers increased project costs and made future sustainability challenging.

Budget Constraints

Limited funding restricted the scale of training and number of participants that could be accommodated.

Administrative Delays

Procurement and coordination processes took longer than expected, affecting timely execution of activities.

Infrastructure Gaps

Some institutions lacked necessary hardware and stable connectivity to fully utilize DrukREN services.

Uneven Skill Levels

Varied technical backgrounds made it difficult to deliver uniformly paced training for all attendees.

Future Directions

  • Expand Local Training Programs: Establish regular in-country training sessions to build local expertise and reduce dependence on international trainers
  • Upgrade Campus Infrastructure: Assist institutions in enhancing internal networks for better performance and full DrukREN utilization
  • Encourage Professional Certification: Support staff in achieving certifications like CCNA and CCNP to standardize technical capacity
  • National Training Hub: Create a permanent center to deliver hands-on training and serve as a resource for DrukREN members
  • Peer Learning Networks: Encourage collaboration and knowledge-sharing among institutions to solve common challenges
  • Increase Female Participation: Design inclusive programs to attract more women to networking and technical training opportunities
  • Improve Support Systems: Implement centralized tools and remote support teams for troubleshooting and optimization

🎯 Vision for Bhutan's Digital Future

Building a skilled workforce to support Bhutan's digital transformation through comprehensive network engineering expertise and sustainable local capacity development.