Dharamshala: The Department of Education is organising a two-day pre-departure orientation for the Tibetan Scholarship program (TSP) batch 2019. The orientation began today at the Conference hall of the Department of Education, CTA chaired by Education Kalon Dr. Pema Yangchen, Education Secretary Karma Singey and TSP Coordinator of the Tibet Fund Tenzin Choephel.
The orientation program will be held from 24 to 25 May 2019. A total of 8 candidates were selected for the TSP 2019 batch.
Sonam Sangmo, Head of Scholarship and sponsorship secretary of the Department of Education gave a brief introduction on the two-day orientation program and the itinerary included. She further announced the topics covering the two-day program and introduced the speakers of the respective topics. The purpose of the orientation program is to prepare the out-going students in every way possible to adjust and settle in the US during the period of 2 years course without any hassle.
Tibetan Scholarship Program Coordinator, Tenzin Choephel gave a detailed power-point presentation on the Budget received from the U.S Department of State and the expenses of the budget in two years. He also announced the allotted universities of each of the candidates.
In her keynote address, Kalon Dr. Pema Yangchen reminded again how fortunate the selected candidates were to get this precious opportunity to study and pursue their dreams and therefore, urged them to utilise the opportunity in the most effective and efficient manner to benefit self and the community at large.
Addressing the candidates, Education Kalon encouraged them to inculcate gratitude for having received such a significant opportunity without considering it as an entitlement.
“With the attitude of gratitude, one becomes kinder and with a kind heart, one becomes happy and happiness gradually keeps us healthy. So everything is interconnected and interlinked. So keep the attitude of gratitude within yourself” advised Dr. Pema Yangchen.
She further reminded the outgoing students on the additional responsibility they carry as a Tibetan and therefore, urged them to put extra efforts in studies and to keep the Tibetaness within them alive. She guided them to retain the good moral values of Tibetan so that scholarship programs such as TSP continues to offer opportunities for the Tibetan students. She further emphasized the importance of returning to serve the Tibetan community following the completion of their courses.
Calling them as the ambassadors of Tibet, Education Kalon urged them to fulfill the responsibility as the ambassador of Tibet.
She further advised the students to build and maintain a cordial relationship with the different students they will meet in their respective universities and to uphold the values and the advice promoted by His Holiness the Dalai Lama.
She advised the out-going students to be outspoken with the professors and teachers of the universities whenever they need help with their academic works.
Education Kalon concluded her address on a positive note and offered best wishes to the students for their future endeavors.
The two-day orientation will cover discussion on the following topics: Introduction to Central Tibetan Administration, The global significance of the Tibetan Plateau, Introduction to Current Human Rights situation in Tibet, Outreach to Chinese, Overview on the role of Office of Tibet, Washington Dc, Tibetan communities in US and Introduction of the US Congress’ support for Tibet, Introduction to cultural shock and adjustments, Introduction to Tibet Fund and its activities, Briefing on research methodology, Introduction to TSPAA and its activities, Briefing on Academic Advisor,writing center and library facilities, Briefing on Mental Health Recreational,Networking with other organizations and professors and Briefing on Internships and Job opportunities on campus and course selection and credit.
The orientation will also include sharing of personal experiences and challenges faced by current TSP scholarship recipients (2018) via video conference from the US