The Tibet Awareness Talk Series Program Report: Resisting Assimilation: The Synthesis of Tradition and Modernity in Tibetan Education In Exile.

Dharamshala: On October 6, 2022, The Tibet Museum hosted its bi-monthly Tibet Awareness Talk Series program. As the first talk series of this month, Dr. Kaveri Gill, Professor and Head, Department of International Relations and Governance Studies, Shiv Nadar University, Delhi, presented on ‘Resisting Assimilation: The Synthesis of Tradition and Modernity in Tibetan Education in Exile’ in the auditorium of The Tibet Museum, 2nd Floor, T-Building, Gangchen Kyishong, Dharamshala. 

Audience listening to the presentation.

The Speaker mainly focused on the Tibetan education system in exile in India; the assimilation, achievements, challenges, the combination of tradition and modernity in Tibetan education in exile. She began her presentation with a discussion on the evolution of a unique historic identity and the origin of the Tibetan language in the 7th century to the 15th century, from oral tradition to wooden block printing of the religious scriptures. She then discussed in detail about the assimilation of the traditional education with the western education system by making English as the medium of instruction after coming into exile. 

Audience listening to the speaker

Nevertheless, the speaker later highlighted the effort made to resist the assimilation of Tibetan education in exile, prioritizing traditional education ahead of practicing modern education by establishing separate schools for Tibetans, modern higher education institutions for Tibetans and monastic education centers were also established with an implementation of a structure of advanced and extended Tibetan education in exile.

Having analyzed the overall goal, achievements, the vision, linguistic identity, financial support and autonomy of Tibetan education in exile, the challenges of modern schooling in the exile Tibetan community was subsequently discussed.

Kaveri ji concluded with a note of appreciation to the farsighted vision of His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama to prevail the synthesis of tradition and modernity. She also acknowledged Tibetans being aware of the challenges and opportunities, and the increasing support from the Government of India in recent years in resisting the default assimilation of Tibetans.

Mr. Tenzin Topdhen, the director of The Tibet Museum felicitating the guest speaker of the Tibet Awareness Talk Series.