M.Sc. Environmental and Resource Economics Student Karma M.P. Dorji from Bhutan Shares His Journey of Studying at the Australian National University, Australia

My name is Karma M.P. Dorji, and I work as an Economist with the Department of Macro Fiscal and Development Finance, Ministry of Finance, Royal Government of Bhutan. The work I do, and the work I care most deeply about, sits at the crossroads of development economics, public finance, and energy and environmental economics. In Bhutan, economic policy is never only about growth targets or fiscal numbers. It is about people, dignity, resilience, and protecting what makes our country unique.

In 2023, I was awarded a World Bank Scholarship to pursue a Master’s in Environmental and Resource Economics at The Australian National University (ANU), one of Australia’s leading institutions for policy-relevant economic research. Before that, I was also fortunate to receive an Australia Awards Scholarship to study a Master of Taxation. These opportunities have strengthened my technical foundations, but more importantly, they have deepened my sense of responsibility to return with greater capacity and contribute more meaningfully to Bhutan’s development journey.

Educational Background

My academic path has always been guided by one question: how can policy improve lives without compromising Bhutan’s values and environment? Studying taxation helped me understand the practical “how” of government, how we raise resources fairly, how we build trust in systems, and how we strengthen public finance to deliver better outcomes for citizens. My current focus in environmental and resource economics has sharpened the “why now”: why issues like climate risk, energy security, and resource governance are no longer side concerns, but central to Bhutan’s macro-fiscal stability and long-term prosperity.

How I Prepared to Apply to the Australian National University (ANU)

I approached the university application process the same way I approach policy work: with clarity, evidence, and alignment. I looked for programs that were strong in applied economics, environmental policy, and public-sector relevance, and then assessed how each course and research strength connected back to Bhutan’s realities, our reliance on hydropower, our exposure to climate risks, our green growth opportunities, and the fiscal choices that will shape our future. I also spent time crafting a personal statement that wasn’t just a list of achievements, but an honest explanation of who I am, what Bhutan needs, and what I intend to return and do.

What I Pursued After the Australia Awards Scholarship

My intention has always been clear: to return and serve Bhutan with a stronger capability. I want to bring sharper analytical tools into macro-fiscal planning, climate and energy policy, and development finance decisions. For me, studying abroad is not a departure from service; it is an investment Bhutan has made in me, and I feel a deep responsibility to repay that investment through real contribution and results.

What Made My Application Stand Out

If there was something that helped my application stand out, I believe it was the consistency between my work, my academic focus, and Bhutan’s national priorities. I did not see the scholarship as a personal milestone alone. I saw it as a way to build skills that can strengthen Bhutan’s capacity at a time when economic transitions, climate pressures, and fiscal resilience matter more than ever. I also believe sincerity matters, not performative passion, but a clear record of service and a realistic plan for how learning will be translated into impact.

Advice for Those Applying for Similar Scholarships

• Start early and build one clear story; your experience, your program, and your future goals should point in the same direction.
• Be specific about impact; explain what you want to contribute to and how, not just that you want to “serve your country.”
• Be disciplined and humble; scholarship panels notice preparation, clarity, and respect for the opportunity.
• Anchor your ambition in service; especially for Bhutanese applicants, the strongest message is not “look at my potential,” but “look at what I will build for Bhutan.”

A Personal Re-Commitment Note

Above all, I carry this journey with deep gratitude. Bhutan has given me far more than opportunities for education; it has given me identity, values, and a standard of leadership rooted in service. When I reflect on Bhutan’s development vision, including our drive to transform intelligently through the Diamond Strategy, and His Majesty The King’s noble vision expressed through GMC, I feel a renewed responsibility: to bring rigorous economics into nation-building while protecting the essence of who we are.

My aspiration is steady and sincere, to contribute to stronger public finances and better development choices so Bhutan’s progress remains inclusive, resilient, and deeply Bhutanese. This is not only a career path for me. It is a citizen’s duty, and my heartfelt way of giving back to the country that has made it possible for me to become who I am today.