"Projects like HAPPY challenge us to step outside our societal bubble. Despite our best intentions, we often view the world through our own lens, assuming it to be universal.” Dr. Bal
The HAPPY project, launched in 2020, was a collaborative initiative between VU Amsterdam, Bhutanese universities, and Slovenian universities. Funded by the EU, the project aimed to enhance qualitative research methods in Bhutan. Over four years, the project established a network of academic collaboration and produced lasting impacts in Bhutan’s educational system.
The success of the project underscores the value of international collaboration, a perspective shared by Dr. Ellen Bal, Associate Professor of Social and Cultural Anthropology at VU Amsterdam. In her interview, Dr. Bal explains, “Projects like HAPPY challenge us to step outside our societal bubble...By working with people from different countries and cultures, we gain the invaluable opportunity to reflect on our own perspectives.” Her leadership within the project has been instrumental, not only fostering academic exchange but also creating opportunities for student internships and research in areas like migration and brain drain.
Dr. Bal advocates for global partnerships, noting that, “We live in an era where keeping an open mind is more crucial than ever...projects like HAPPY are a fundamental cornerstone of our mission as an institution.”