Bhutan FAB23 Bhutan

FAB23 Bhutan

Designing Resilient Futures

Join the international conference for
makers, educators, and innovators
whose goal is to provide vital
transformation for the future.


July 16-28, 2023 | Thimphu, Bt

Edition
19
Attendees
+400
Affiliations
+40
Countries
+55

The magic of DIGITAL FABRICATION

Let's explore together potential applications with local and global knowledge to address some of the Kingdom's biggest challenges. View the track types below to decide which one suits you best!

Economic Opportunity

Explore local responses to regenerative ways of living, and support the digital transformation in Bhutan.

Technology (R&D)

Help bridge the digital divide in as many communities as possible.

Innovation, Sustainability & Community

Envision, with the international community's support, real applicability in different sectors.

Youth & Education

Encourage youth to approach digital fabrication first and educate the community on best practices.

Program

July

16 Sun
  • Fab Bhutan Challenges: Kickoff
17 Mon
  • Travel to FabLab sites
18 Tue
  • Challenge: Working Day 1
19 Wed
  • Challenge: Working Day 2
20 Thur
  • Challenge: Working Day 3
21 Fri
  • Challenge: Working Day 4
22 Sat
  • FAB23: Arrivals, Altitude Acclimation
  • Travel to Thimphu and set up showcase
  • No activities this day
23 Sun
  • Fab Festival Thimphu
  • Open Day to the Public
  • Challenge Showcase
24 Mon
  • FAB23 kickoff Ceremonial day
  • Technology Track
  • Workshop/Activities
  • Graduations
  • Welcome Reception
25 Tue
  • Youth & Education Track
  • Symposium/Panels
  • Workshop/Activities
26 Wed
  • Innovation, Sustainability & Community Track
  • Symposium/Panels
  • Workshop/Activities
27 Thur
  • Economy Track
  • Workshop/Activities
  • Symposium/Panels
28 Fri
  • Fab City Summit
  • Cities Pledge
  • Closing Recption

Learn more

Designing Resilient Futures

The thematic focus in Bhutan aims to act as a catalyst, providing a platform to foster connections and partnerships to shape the future.

Keynote Speakers

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Sherry Lassiter is one of the architects of the MIT global initiative for field on-site technology development, the Fab Lab program. A Fab Lab, or as users like to call it, fabulous laboratory, is a rapid prototyping platform for technical education,

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Ujjwal Deep Dahal, PMP is the CEO of DHI, investment arm of the Royal Government of Bhutan. A Fulbright Humphrey Fellow for Technology Policy & Management from MIT, Ujjwal is passionate about innovative ideas and turning them into full-scale

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Prof. Neil Gershenfeld is the Director of MIT's Center for Bits and Atoms, where his unique laboratory is breaking down boundaries between the digital and physical worlds, from pioneering quantum computing to digital fabrication to the Internet of

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Tomas Diez Ladera is a Venezuela born Urbanist who specializes in digital fabrication and its implications in the future of cities and society. He is co-director and member of the board at the Institute for Advanced Architecture of Catalonia

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Hailed as “a force of nature,” “Asia’s Anna Wintour,” and “Top 100 Women of the Future,” Dr.
Loretta Chen is an award-winning creative director, bestselling author, and a respected
professor. She was the People’s Choice as Nominated Member

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  • Founder & Director of Skylabworkshop, Kamakura, Japan
  • Fabacademy Graduate, 2019
  • Fabacademy Instructor, 2019-Present
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Founder of Seeed Studio and Chaihuo makerspace, Producer of Maker Faire Shenzhen. He endeavors to integrate latest AI/IoT technology and supply chain resources to create an open platform for global developers. By establishing more synergy with

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Dr.Yogesh Kulkarni is engaged in development of appropriate technology solutions, training rural youth and helping them to start technology based enterprises. His expertise in the areas of digital fabrication, renewable energy, appropriate technology

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Sangay Thinley is an Education Specialist focused on using technology to address learning challenges in low-resourced environments. Sangay works at the EdTech Hub as the Helpdesk co-lead for Southeast Asia, where she works with governments and

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Dr. Kenneth (Kenny) C. Cheung serves as the technical lead on advanced materials and manufacturing. As a member of the Ames Center Chief Technologist (CCT) staff, he helps to identify, define, develop and integrate new and emerging technologies for

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Arun Kapur is an educator with experience in the private and public education spheres. He is the Director of the Druk Gyalpo's Institute and holds positions on various school boards. Mr. Kapur has established an NGO with schools across India to promote

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Thras Karydis is the Co-Founder & Chief Technical Officer of DeepCure Inc, a biotechnology startup spun out of MIT Media Lab in 2018. DeepCure is a next-generation therapeutics company that employs artificial intelligence and advanced robotics

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Dr. Leah Hanes leads the Two Bit Circus Foundation (2BCF) and has done so since 2013, when she joined their predecessor, T4T.org. During her tenure, first as Executive Director and then CEO, 2BCF has grown into a strong voice in the current STEAM

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Gonzalo Casas is a software engineer at the Chair of Architecture and Digital Fabrication at ETH Zurich. He completed his Bachelor in Computer Science in 2006 in Córdoba, Argentina, but his passion for software development began well over ten years

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Melody is the Global Head of Policy & Regulatory Affairs and Head of Legal MENA at ACX (formerly AirCarbon), the first regulated carbon exchange in Abu Dhabi. Prior to ACX, she was the General Counsel at blockchain start-ups in Hong Kong and

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Lhazin Y. Nedup is a Programme Manager and Urban Planner working at the intersection of sustainable development and social innovation. With a particular interest in exploring the links between public policy, human centered development, and systems

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Suchit Jain, VP at Dassault Systèmes, drives cloud transformation & expansion of SOLIDWORKS into 3DEXPERIENCE Works. Leading User Advocacy, he nurtures the SOLIDWORKS community. Suchit mentors startups, collaborates with incubators, supports

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Jonathan Ledgard

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Okezue Bell is a Nigerian-American STEM activist, Stanford freshman, and UNA-USA Ambassador. He has raised $400K+ for the unbanked through his microfinance app, Fidutam, and invented a low-cost prosthetic arm, WeArm. Bell has conducted research at

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Maarten is an architect, social entrepreneur, and founding partner at Endeavour, a team of 15 architects, urban planners and social scientists specialized in research, strategy, and innovation in inclusive and sustainable urban planning. He is the

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Gemma Torras Vives is a Climate & Technology Specialist at the Finance and Economics Unit of the World Bank Group. Gemma leads the testing and simulation activities of the Climate Warehouse program, which aims to build an end-to-end digital

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Justin Sim is a serial inventor, sustainability advocate, and innovative academician. He is the Chairman of both the Gedu College of Business Studies and the College of Science and Technology, Royal University of Bhutan.

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Paul G Altidor

Haiti Ambassador

Ambassador Paul G Altidor is currently leading the efforts for the new Haiti Fab Labs. From 2012 to 2019, Mr. Altidor served as Haiti’s Ambasador to the United States. After ending his tenure in Washington as Haiti’s top diplomat, Ambassador Altidor

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Chandra Shekhar Sinha is a Global Lead for Carbon Markets and Finance at the World Bank. He has over 25 years of experience in the field of energy and climate change, with a focus on climate finance. He has also worked at JP Morgan, TERI (New Delhi),

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Sonam Tashi is the Chief Planning Officer of the Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources. He represents Bhutan and the Least Developed Countries in the Article 6 (carbon markets) negotiations under the United Nations Framework for Climate Change

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Miana Smith

MIT, CBA

Miana Smith is a graduate student at the MIT Center for Bits and Atoms. Her research is on self-reconfigurable robotic assembly systems. Previously, she studied mechanical engineering at MIT. Her other interests include controls, biomaterials, and

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Nujoud Serhan is the Deputy CEO and Director of Program Management and Performance Excellence. Her experience spans from establishing Project Management Departments, designing and implementing projects for development of local communities, youth

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Marleen Stikker is founder and executive director of Waag Futurelab in Amsterdam. Waag Futurelab reinforces critical reflection on technology, develops technological and social design skills, and encourages social innovation. Marleen leads the

Experience

Aakash Verma

Student

This event has brought me new perspectives on what designers and inventors are developing around technology.

Azniv Hovhannisyan

Science Laboratory Technician

It helped me to get involved with other Fab Labs around the world and develop new ideas.

Jeff Gelbard

Technologist

This event helped me meet other people around the world with similar challenges and learn from their successes.

Arnauld Nedati

Maker

It’s a great way to keep up with latest educational innovations around the Fab Lab Community.

Jimena Califa

Designer

I've been to other Fab events previously and always found them really inspirational and have empowered me to make things happen.

Arundhati Jadhav

Education Developer

It helped me connect to the global network, learn through hands-on workshops, and develop transformational ideas that I have been implementing in my every day life.

Verônica Natividade

Teacher

This event is an excellent opportunity to learn about multiple experiences and to exchange ideas.

Madeline Pelz

PhD

Through this type of event I was able to incorporate maker technology and hands-on learning in K-12 education. I have been to other editions of this event and I’m always excited to learn more about the potential for increased access to digital fabrication across the world and the innovations that could inspire.

Raquel Borrega

Industrial Designer

I really like joining this type of events. They always help me to engage with and obtain more knowledge about the way Fab Lab activities and communities can impact such times as the present ones, as well as help pointing righteous and exciting windows for the future.

Nanda Gurung

Maker

Helped me understand and get exposure to different digital fabrication technology and innovation. During this event collaboration is the way to go!

Thanks To all our Partners

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Community Partners

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