Civil society supports young innovators
The education ministry delivered the programme with Bhutan Youth Development Fund, Loden Foundation and UNICEF. At the time, partners reported reaching 4,639 participants in 65 schools and ten youth centres. Loden president Sangay Tshering emphasised engagement with local communities and learning beyond the classroom.
Students describe the skills they gain
In an August 2023 UNICEF account, Bhutanese student Tenzin Wangchuk described learning problem-solving, critical thinking and collaboration through UPSHIFT. He explained that participants learned “to work with different people”. His testimony, delivered in sign language, connected the programme with skills used beyond a competition.
New signs make concepts accessible
A UNICEF report on 24 November 2025 described how Wangsel students, teachers and interpreters had created Bhutanese Sign Language terms for innovation, entrepreneurship and problem-solving. They recorded instructional videos and developed a sign for UPSHIFT itself, making the programme’s concepts available in the students’ language.