About the project
Increasing Gross National Happiness
The overall objective of the HAPPY Project is to contribute to the enhancement of Gross National Happiness (GNH). GNH has been the most significant national priority for Bhutan since the 1980s, and it has evolved into the guiding purpose of Bhutan’s development. To increase GNH and support sustainable development and well-being, qualitative research data are needed to deepen the understanding of real life at each societal level.
Importance of Qualitative Research
Qualitative research data have been recognized as critically important to contribute to evidence-based policies which address social and developmental challenges. There is however a disjuncture between the desire for qualitative research data and the absence of knowledge, skills and technical infrastructure to teach qualitative research methods.
Addressing social and developmental challenges
The recognition that the further development of Qualitative Research Methodologies in Higher Education Institutions will increase the Gross National Happiness in Bhutan as well as contribute to addressing social and developmental challenges implies that different steps are required to achieve these objectives.
Sensitization
In environments where qualitative research is limited or almost entirely absent there is a need for different actors to comprehend the nature of the QR Methodology as well as its relevance and potential contribution to institutions, faculty and society at large. Sensitization is therefore needed to make involved internal (HEI) and external (Government, CSOs, industry) stakeholders aware of QRM’s potential as well as support their acceptance as an essential part of curricula in HEI.
Enhance Capacities of Higher Education Staff
Qualitative research methods and skills are central to any efforts to gauge the complex interplay between processes of development, modernization, and resilience. The key to achieving this is enhancing the knowledge and skills of academic staff to enable them to structurally guarantee integration of qualitative methods in existing curricula, and research efforts.
Enriching the Existing Curricula
Providing learning and teaching tools, methodologies and pedagogical approaches on qualitatve reserarch methods and integrating them at the 4 Colleges in Bhutan in the fields of Social Sciences and Humanities. Providing students with transversal competencies to improve their employability in the labor market.
People-Centred Development
Enhancing and promoting the applied value of qualitative research methods for industry and wider society. Transition from an expert development process to a people-centred mindset and development process that enables the co-creation of meaningful and sustainable products and services.
Increasing employability
Contributing to the employability of graduates by providing them with practical and transversal skills. Developing links and relationships with a variety of labour market stakeholders to sensitize them to the value of Social Science and Humanities education in general and qualitative Research methods in particular.
