Dharamshala: Sikyong Penpa Tsering attended the inaugural of a four-day youth symposium on Tibetan culture earlier this morning at the College for Higher Tibetan Studies, Sarah.

The symposium, which aimed to enhance aspiring researchers’ understanding of research methodology, was organised by Regional Tibetan Youth Congress (RTYC) members of Sarah College in collaboration with the Department of Religion and Culture from 20 to 24 August 2024.

Prominent exile Tibetan scholars from various organisations and institutions featured in this conference as its speakers. Over the coming days, these distinguished speakers will address a range of topics for the participants, predominantly from the Sarah College, along with others from Central Institute of Higher Tibetan Studies, Varanasi, and Dalai Lama Institute For Higher Education, Bangalore.

Following an introductory remarks from the president of RTYC Sarah, Karma Thupten, the special guest of the event Professor Jampa Samten from Central Institute of Higher Tibetan Studies, Varanasi, addressed the gathering. He outlined a brief overview of the evolution of Tibetan studies that have saw increasing interests from western scholars.

As the symposium was supported by the Department of Religion and Culture under its ongoing Tibetan digital library initiative, the incumbent Kalon (Minister) of the department, Sikyong Penpa Tsering, in his keynote address, succinctly spoke about the initiative and implored participants to actively engage in the event to make it into fruition. In addition, Sikyong also shared insights on pioneering Western scholars who have contributed to the study of Tibetology.