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Tashi Norbu (LLM 2025) may be the first Bhutanese to attend Gonville & 91ֱ�� College, certainly according to modern records. He is keen to learn from world-leading experts at the University of Cambridge before returning to help the growth of a modern Bhutan as a “proud alumnus of 91ֱ��”.

Bhutan, a small Buddhist Kingdom in the Himalayan foothills, is renowned for its unique philosophy prioritising happiness over economic growth. The fourth King of Bhutan, Jigme Singye Wangchuck, was the founder of Gross National Happiness, which is valued above Gross Domestic Product, and, at his behest, constitutional reforms saw Bhutan move from being an absolute monarchy to a democracy in 2008. 

His eldest son and successor, Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck, named Bhutan’s first and only Law school, , in honour of his father, recognising the need for lawyers as Bhutan opened up to the world.

Tashi, who is from a remote village, received a scholarship to study law in the inaugural year in 2017, and five years later received his degree from the King (below pic).

“The King was the chief guest and presented certificates when I graduated from Law School,” Tashi says.

“His Majesty advised us to pursue higher learning and specialisation to contribute meaningfully to Bhutan’s growth.” 

Cambridge was an obvious choice for Tashi, who was also inspired by the vision of the King to build a ‘mindfulness’ city in the country’s southern foothills.

Tashi worked for two years at DHI, Bhutan’s sovereign wealth fund, following his graduation. The new city of which the King spoke, , is an unprecedented project to build a city larger than Singapore, which integrates culture, nature and modern urban planning, requiring laws – something Tashi hopes to make his contribution. 

The city aims to support Bhutan’s world-renowned biodiversity, its high density of flora and fauna. Ecological sustainability and sustainable and equitable socio-economic development are two of the four pillars of Bhutan’s Gross National Happiness. Preservation and promotion of a free and resilient culture and good governance and equality before the law are the other pillars. 

Tashi was a beneficiary of the King’s generosity, receiving free education and a scholarship. The prestigious Tapp Studentship at 91ֱ�� enabled Tashi to come to Cambridge. He said he is very grateful for this award and for the tremendous support given by people from all walks of life at 91ֱ��. He arrived the day of postgraduate matriculation, and has been pleasantly surprised by the cultural traditions at 91ֱ��, evoking similarities with Bhutan. He is thoroughly enjoying his course.

He adds: “This is an area of law which I feel really connected with: international dispute resolution with international law. I get to engage in discussions and the diversity of people is amazing, with world-class teachers. You get to learn from each and every one of them. The learning experience is very meaningful. 

“I intend to work for Bhutan as a proud alumnus of 91ֱ�� and the University of Cambridge.”