Every first Saturday of the month, as a part of its shout-out campaign, DIIR’s Social Media Desk will be profiling a civil servant of Central Tibetan Administration. This week we are pleased to profile Jamyang Wangyal, Joint Secretary at the Department of Education, CTA.

Social Media Executive (SME): Could you briefly tell us about yourself?

Jamyang Wangyal (JW): I am Jamyang Wangyal born and raised up in Doeguling Tibetan Settlement, Mundgod. I finished my schooling from CST Mundgod in the year 1998. I pursued my graduation and post-graduation in Psychology from Karnatak University, Dharwad. After my post-graduation, I completed Post graduate diploma in Guidance and Counselling from Regional Institute of Education, Mysore. 

Soon after my studies in 2005, I have joined Department of Education, CTA as a volunteer Counsellor for around a year and visited many schools as counsellor.

 In 2006, I got selected as civil servant on the post of Under Secretary and posted in Department of Education as a counsellor. After serving few months in the department, I was directed to set up South Zone Guidance and Counselling Cell in Mundgod and to take responsibilities of catering guidance and counselling activities in Southern Tibetan settlement schools.

 In 2014, I was promoted as Deputy Secretary and in 2021 as a Joint Secretary. 

Recently in April 2022, I have joined DOE head office and rendering my service as a counsellor. 

SME: Please explain your job description and how best does your work represent you or  vice versa?

JW: As I have studied human behaviour and counselling, getting appointed as a counsellor was like practicing what I learned on the ground. My academic background well complements my job making it more fascinating.

I have been around for 16 years as a counsellor under South Zone Guidance and Cell and my main responsibility was to cater the counselling program, Career Quiz, Career Exhibitions, Group and Individual Counselling, etc. I cover 5 southern India Tibetan Settlement School (Doeguling, Lugsam, Delar, Rabgayling and Dhondenling), 2 Central Indian Tibetan Settlement School (Norgyeling and Phendeyling) and Phuntsokling. During the visit, through Settlement office, I do impart parental counselling for parents once in a year to assist the parent towards better parenting. 

For class XII graduates, every year, we conduct orientation program in their respective settlement which enable them to understand their choice in courses and colleges. Also they were given awareness on various scholarship schemes available including DOE scholarship.

As of now I have been transferred to Head office (DOE) and my role is to provide guidance and counselling program to the north and north east Tibetan schools along with my colleague. 

SME: What inspired you to serve the Central Tibetan Administration?

JW: Since my childhood, my late father motivated and inspired me to serve in Central Tibetan Administration (CTA) as my responsibility and duty to serve His Holiness the Dalai Lama and our exiled government. 

To become a teacher was my aim and when I joined college, I encountered with a new subject called Psychology which fascinated me so much so that I took this subject as part of my study in Bachelor and Master. In those days, we find student pursuing B.Ed but Counselling studies was almost new in our community. It didn’t bother me to switch my aims from teacher to counsellor as nature of both job is to cater the need of younger children and to bring changes in the society. 

SME: What does it mean for you to be a CTA civil servant?

JW: It is dream comes true to me. I always wanted to take my part and make a difference in the society which I was able to accomplish by working under CTA. Through this opportunity, I got to make difference in the lives of many students. 

Secondly, the unparalleled prestige that CTA civil servants hold under His Holiness the 14th Dalai lama and our exiled Tibetan government is unmatchable.

SME: How best do you think you could make a difference to CTA?

JW: In my 16 years of career as a counsellor, I have played my part to the best of my ability and I have this positive feeling that it had created much difference in the lives of our younger generation. My job nature is not one that you reap a fruit the day you sow. The yield takes time and I am persistent and patient towards my passion and will continue it. My present post being in CTA has an upper hand to reach out to the parents more easily and widely.

SME: Who is your role model and why?

JW: His Holiness the Great 14th Dalai lama for very obvious reasons that no one especially Tibetans can deny for his tireless work for the Tibetans even at this age and secondly my Late father who taught me to be grounded and always to be patient in critical matters.

Apart from them whenever I see someone performing their work passionately, they ultimately became my role model.

SME: What is your piece of advice for young Tibetans serving or wishing to serve at CTA?

JW: My advice to all youth is to do your best irrespective of any recognition and follow your interest and passion. I believe those with the passion are stronger than those who have skill but lack passion. I also advise everyone to visit our CTA’s new Tibet Museum which gives us lots of information about our culture and history. The Museum highlights our cultural and political struggle and our resilience.