Importance of Higher Education for the Bhutanese New Immigrants in the Diaspora

Tikaram Adhikari  
Canada

Quality education is imperative in individual’s life both in the developed and developing countries. It becomes even more pertinent for new arrivals in the developed countries with the requirements of the job market and the knowledge/skill gap with the country of origin and newly settled countries. As the title suggests, the article is directed particularly to address the education need and the gap for the Bhutanese settling in various developed countries but the ideas could be equally applicable for all new arrivals. In this article I have painted a broad overview of the importance of higher education in developed countries which is called post-secondary education.

The new arrivals have to link their previous educational background and try to identify the knowledge and skills gap they need to upgrade so that they are acceptable by the job markets in the developed countries. In this process they have to assess carefully the skills they possess and bring from their country of origin. In addition, they have to identify the requirement in the settling countries and match with their career goals. This is particularly challenging as many new arrivals are used to others deciding or telling them what they should do and have not grown in the individualistic culture of what they would like to do or become. Historically, in many developing countries doctors and engineers are the most respected and sought after professions. Whereas, this is not the case in the developed countries as there are wide range of other options available that are equally well paying and respected professions such as teaching, law, computer science, social service, psychology.

The post-secondary education in North America (USA and Canada), Australia, New Zealand and various European countries is broadly organized into liberal arts stream and the technical/vocational stream. The liberal arts education is important in understanding the broader knowledge base of society and developing a historical and context specific situations of the knowledge base. Many students who go to university and other forms of higher education follow this stream but it does not provide good job skills once you graduate from this stream. Historically people have attached higher importance to the liberal arts stream as it prepares to take up management, policy and program development positions in the government, business/ private and non-profit sectors normally termed as civil society. With the late arrivals of many of new Bhutanese in the developed countries, I would think that this stream may not be the right one. But for younger generations such as students who are still in the high schools and completing secondary education this might be a right path.

The other stream is a technical or vocational education stream that provides specific skills and prepares students to take a particular profession. Many Bhutanese newcomers come with a grade 12 or some university or college education and they have hopes of upgrading themselves through this stream of higher education and it would be ideal as it leads to finding employment faster. Many newcomers who are working full time right now may like to set an objective of improving their skills and qualifications so that they have greater prospect for advancing in their career professions gradually. It is easy to get caught on the ambition of working more hours and improving the financial situation but they may also like to be strategic in preparing to strengthen the job skills through further skill development opportunities.

As young people aspire to move in this direction there are so virtually unending options available and it is important to realize that higher education functions as an industry wanting to attract more students. It is important for the newcomers to assess carefully what is their need and where they would like to be in five or ten year’s time. You may like to consult with each other, people who have knowledge and who had been into the system. Selection of right courses sets the direction of where you would be in the future. Courses that provide technical skills in specific trades such as electrical, masonry, carpentry, computer repairs and health technicians offer better scope for employment and career advancement and higher earning. These professions also have higher demand in the market. Social sciences related certification and skill development courses such as social work, counselling, employment services and others do not open up as much employment opportunities and the earning levels in these professions are also lower.
Financing post-secondary education is critical aspect of the qualification up-gradation process. Ideally, you may like to rely on the family income and support through your own earnings but that is not always possible. There are some scholarship opportunities but very few people can afford these provisions and many times finding out what is available itself is a big challenge. It is important to explore and lot of information is available through the internet. Even if you have to go for borrowing and loan it is worth investing in your education and our newcomer should not be scared to borrow should the situation demand. Borrowing is not considered negatively given the situation as the system is in place for facilitating the needs of those who have no other options or sources. It is important to be bold and creative as you are borrowing for a good cause and there are good options for repayment. In many countries they would get good student loans at no interest for the time that students are studying and you are repaying once you start working.

The other aspect of missed education with an effort to catch up with the civilized lifestyle of Western society is through the informal networks, observations of people’s general behaviour, social etiquettes, reading and listening to people is so important. This comes through various channels such as volunteering, participation in community events, remaining active in sports and cultural events, sales jobs and many other information means such as organizing social events. This is important as part of adaptation in these countries is to learn the social skills so that you are able to function more effectively as productive members of the society. Some cultural norms are so important that we would feel always out of place if we do not make efforts to develop and learn them. Developing and extending the social network with other communities and people from various cultural groups is an important part of education as well.
I would like to end this piece of here with a quote from Swami Vivekananda who says “education is the manifestation of perfection already in men”. He also encourages young people to be courageous and get rid of fear and they will do well in life.

[Mr. Adhikari is a development professional with a long experience of post-secondary teaching (International Development Studies, Economics and Education) in Canada and Bhutan and involvement in international development programs- Editors]

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