𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐠 𝐆𝐲𝐚𝐥𝐬𝐮𝐩 𝐈𝐧𝐧𝐨𝐯𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐬 𝐃𝐢𝐬𝐚𝐛𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐲-𝐅𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐥𝐲 𝐃𝐢𝐬𝐡𝐰𝐚𝐬𝐡𝐞𝐫, 𝐄𝐚𝐫𝐧𝐬 𝐒𝐩𝐨𝐭 𝐢𝐧 𝐂𝐞𝐳𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐅𝐄𝐒𝐓 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟓

…𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒊𝒏𝒏𝒐𝒗𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒗𝒆 𝒅𝒆𝒗𝒊𝒄𝒆, 𝒃𝒖𝒊𝒍𝒕 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝒖𝒔𝒆𝒓𝒔 𝒘𝒊𝒕𝒉 𝒓𝒆𝒅𝒖𝒄𝒆𝒅 𝒎𝒐𝒃𝒊𝒍𝒊𝒕𝒚, 𝒔𝒉𝒐𝒘𝒄𝒂𝒔𝒆𝒔 𝑩𝒉𝒖𝒕𝒂𝒏’𝒔 𝒈𝒓𝒐𝒘𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒄𝒂𝒑𝒂𝒃𝒊𝒍𝒊𝒕𝒚 𝒊𝒏 𝒕𝒆𝒄𝒉𝒏𝒊𝒄𝒂𝒍 𝒆𝒅𝒖𝒄𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒊𝒏𝒄𝒍𝒖𝒔𝒊𝒗𝒆 𝒕𝒆𝒄𝒉𝒏𝒐𝒍𝒐𝒈𝒚 𝒅𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒍𝒐𝒑𝒎𝒆𝒏𝒕

By Kezang Choden

Gyalsup Ugyen Dorji, who is undergoing skilling training under the Gyalsung Skilling Program (GSP) in partnership with the Ministry of Education and Skills Development (MoESD) at the Jigme Wangchuck Power Training Institute (JWPTI) in Gelephu, has been selected to represent Bhutan in the final round of the CezeriFEST 2025 International 3D Design and 3D Printing Competition in Turkey.

CezeriFEST is a global platform that promotes creativity, innovation, and technological advancement in 3D design among students and institutions worldwide. This year’s competition, themed “Developing products that will make the lives of disabled individuals easier using 3D design and 3D printing techniques,” will be held from November 24 to 28. The event is organised by the Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency.

Ugyen Dorji’s project, titled “Pressing Mechanical Dishwasher for Easy and Portable Habits for Persons with Disabilities,” was shortlisted among the top ten entries. His design features a non-electronic mechanical dishwasher that aims to help individuals with physical disabilities carry out dishwashing tasks independently and with greater comfort.
Many people with limited mobility, especially those with reduced strength in their arms or hands, often struggle with repetitive and forceful dishwashing movements. Ugyen’s innovation addresses these challenges through a manual pressing system that uses simple mechanical motion instead of electricity.

According to him, the design prioritises ease of use, accessibility, and environmental sustainability. The dishwasher operates through a spring-based pressing spinner system that allows users to clean utensils with minimal effort. Its compact and lightweight structure also makes it suitable for small kitchens or places without electricity. The project aims to promote independence among people with disabilities while supporting sustainable practices through a non-electric and water-efficient mechanism. It reflects an inclusive design approach that combines practicality, affordability, and meaningful social impact.

JWPTI’s participation in CezeriFEST 2025 is seen as an important milestone for the institute as it continues to strengthen technical and vocational education. The institute remains committed to encouraging innovation and developing technologies that support national and global priorities.

Gyalsup Ugyen Dorji said the competition was mainly held to address the daily challenges faced by individuals with disabilities. He said the idea for designing a mechanical dishwasher for people with physical disabilities came after observing the difficulties they face with routine household chores. He mentioned that dishwashing remains a fully manual task for most families.

“For individuals with limited mobility, joint pain or motor impairments, simple actions such as standing for a long time, gripping wet plates or scrubbing heavy pots can be exhausting or painful,” he said.
To understand these challenges better, he spoke with individuals who face such limitations in their daily lives. He also talked to caregivers, elderly community members, and people living with physical disabilities. He learned that repetitive washing motions, cold water, and uncomfortable sink heights often cause discomfort and increase dependence on others. He said these insights helped him identify the key areas where support was needed and guided the functional features of the design.

His goal was to create a device that restores independence, reduces physical strain, and brings dignity to everyday tasks.
Ugyen Dorji said that if the design succeeds at CezeriFEST, the next step will be to refine and scale the product so it can serve a wider community.

“My first priority will be gathering user feedback from individuals with different types of disabilities to improve usability, safety, and comfort,” he said.
He plans to work with local disability organisations, engineering institutions, and fabrication labs to develop upgraded prototypes and test them in real households. To expand the product’s reach, he hopes to partner with Bhutanese manufacturers who can produce the dishwasher at an affordable price so it remains accessible even in rural areas. He also aims to explore ways to introduce the technology in community centres, rehabilitation facilities, and homes of people with disabilities.

Ugyen said that by steadily improving and expanding the product, he hopes it will empower more users and support inclusive innovation in Bhutan and beyond.
Many young people today continue to focus on formal degrees and government white-collar jobs. However, greater attention to skilling programs would better prepare them for the realities of the job market and open more opportunities for employment.

In this context, he expressed his deepest gratitude to His Majesty The King for the extraordinary vision and leadership that made the Gyalsung initiative a reality. He said, “Gyalsung is more than a national service program. It is a gift to every young Bhutanese, offering the opportunity to grow, to learn, and to develop the skills needed to serve the country with confidence and purpose.”

According to him, His Majesty’s guidance has helped Gyalsung become a platform that empowers youth to discover their strengths and transform their potential into meaningful capability. The training, discipline, and knowledge they receive are preparing them not only for their roles as responsible citizens but also shaping their character, resilience, and unity. He added that the opportunity has opened doors for participants to gain practical skills, understand national values more deeply, and contribute proactively to Bhutan’s future.