Dharamshala: The Department of Education (DoE), Central Tibetan Administration (CTA), in collaboration with the National Centre for Biological Sciences (NCBS), Bangalore, organised a one-month Tibetan science internship from 14 June to 14 July 2026. Conducted annually, the programme provides hands-on, mentored research experience with leading scientists to encourage participants to pursue advanced studies and careers in science.
This year’s cohort comprised three Tibetan college students and two staff members from Mentseekhang: Tenzin Tsekey — B.Sc. in Neuroscience Technology, Thinley Dolker — B.Sc. (Hons) Environmental Science, Kuenga Norzom — B.Sc. Physician Assistant, Dechen Khando — Mentseekhang, Himalayan Herbs Unit, Chauntra and Dr. Samphel Tsering — Mentseekhang researcher and documentation of Tibetan medicinal substances
Since 2017, more than 35 Tibetan students have benefited from internships at NCBS and IISER Pune, and many alumni now work in scientific and academic fields. Highlighting the programme’s impact, last year NCBS intern Tenzin Yangdon was selected for the prestigious two-month PRISM National Fellowship (hosted by NCBS in collaboration with Project EduAccess) and is currently placed at Ashoka University (1 June–31 July) in the Department of Biology, Trivedi School of Biosciences. She is working in Dr. Anup Padmanabhan’s developmental biology lab on a project studying a mutant model of the nematode C. elegans.
This year the internship expanded to include the Tibetan Medical and Astrological Institute to strengthen integration between traditional medical knowledge, herbal cultivation, and modern research methodologies. The Department of Education said the expansion aims to foster interdisciplinary research and preserve traditional practices while applying contemporary scientific methods.
Quality education remains a DoE priority. To broaden students’ exposure to STEM careers, the DoE organises STEM excursion programmes for senior and secondary schools across India. Several Tibetan groups — including STS Kollegal, STS Gurupura, and STS CVP Bylakuppe — visited NCBS, where they interacted with Tibetan interns. Dr. Jigme Wangchuk, a Tibetan molecular virologist and current programme manager and researcher at NCBS, met with the interns and offered guidance. At the conclusion of the internship, all participants received certificates from NCBS.
The programme’s travel allowances were supported by generous funding from the U.S. Department of State (USDOS) Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs (SCA) through The Tibet Fund. All other internship expenses were covered by the host institute.
– Report filed by Department of Education, CTA
