Dharamshala: The Department of Education (DoE) of the Central Tibetan Administration (CTA) concluded the 8th CTA-Level Science, Mathematics, and Environment Exhibition 2025 with great success. The event was held from 17 to 19 July at TCV School, Upper Dharamshala. The three-day exhibition brought together 146 student-curated projects from 19 Tibetan Secondary and Senior Secondary Schools across India. It showcased young Tibetan students’ scientific curiosity, environmental awareness, and creative problem-solving abilities.
This year’s exhibition theme was “Science and Technology for a Sustainable Future,” inviting students to tackle pressing real-world issues through STEM education. A total of 39 projects were selected for display based on evaluation standards set by NCERT. Participating schools included five schools from the Tibetan Children’s Village (TCV), two schools from the Tibetan Homes Foundation (THF), and 12 schools under the Sambhota Tibetan Schools Society (STSS). Each exhibit featured a student representative along with an escort teacher from the respective schools.
Alongside the main exhibition, students from Classes 4 to 8 participated in a parallel showcase titled the Natural Science through Art (NSA) exhibition. Inspired by His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s four lifelong commitments, 43 projects were presented through arts-based formats such as paintings, modelling, songs, and crafts. The NSA initiative was designed to build cross-disciplinary connections and promote core values such as responsibility, enthusiasm, and a healthy lifestyle.
The event was formally inaugurated on 17 July by Education Kalon Tharlam Dolma Changra, who served as the Chief Guest. In a motivating address, she encouraged students to remain determined and purposeful in their academic journey. Quoting, “If not I, who? If not now, when?” she emphasised that success comes through hard work and a sense of responsibility to oneself and the community.
Other dignitaries present at the ceremony included Jigmey Namgyal, Secretary of DoE; heads of DoE departments; senior staff from the TCV Head Office; and the Principal and Education Director of TCV Schools. Tenzin Dorjee, Head of the Academic Section at DoE, provided a brief overview of the exhibition’s mission and its evolution since its inception. He underscored the DoE’s strong focus on strengthening STEM education in exile schools to nurture creative problem-solvers and innovators.
Adding a scholarly dimension to the event, a seminar on “Millets for a Sustainable Future and Health” was conducted by members of the judging panel. Dr Tenzin Nyibum, Assistant Professor of Zoology at Gargi College, University of Delhi, spoke about millet’s relevance in sustainable agriculture and health. Other panel members included Dr. Tenzin Passang, Principal of DLIHE; Dr. Tenzin Choephel, Aerospace Engineer at Pratt and Whitney; and Tenzin Paldon, Research Fellow from Punjab University.
In the evening, our judge, Dr Kalsang Tharpa — a researcher at Shell Technology Center, Bangalore — conducted an engaging participatory workshop titled “How Not to Make a Project.” guiding students and teachers on refining scientific investigation methods and avoiding common pitfalls in research and science projects.
On 18 July, the exhibition was opened to the public and inaugurated by Ngawang Lhamo, Education Director of TCV Schools. Students and teachers from TCV Suja, TCV Chauntra, Petoen School, TCV Gopalpur, and several nearby monastic institutions attended the exhibition, making it a vibrant and engaging event. Visitors interacted with student exhibitors, who enthusiastically explained the scientific principles behind their projects, ranging from energy conservation and pollution control to innovative health solutions and sustainable practices. Through these interactions, students not only demonstrated their understanding of key scientific principles but also inspired dialogue around real-world challenges and practical solutions.
On the final day, 19 July, Prof. T. P. Sharma from NCERT’s Department of Science and Mathematics paid a special visit. He was joined by Dorjee Wangdue, Science Education Officer from DoE, along with Nawang Lhamo, Education Director of TCV, for a guided tour of the exhibition and school. During the closing ceremony, certificates of appreciation were distributed to guide teachers by Prof. T. P. Sharma and Jigmey Namgyal. A special memento was also presented to Prof. Sharma in gratitude for his ongoing assistance in supporting STEM education in Tibetan schools.
In his closing remarks, Dorjee Wangdue extended heartfelt gratitude to the Government of India, NCERT, and TCV Upper Dharamshala for their invaluable support in making this exhibition a grand success. He also announced that the Department of Education (DoE) has recommended 12 outstanding exhibits for consideration by NCERT’s national-level selection committee, with the potential for participation in a future national exhibition to be held later this year.
Tsering Yangkyi, Under Secretary at DoE; Dekey Palmo, Mathematics Education Coordinator; and other dedicated staff members, whose collective commitment helped bring the exhibition to life, were also acknowledged.
More than just a display of scientific models, the 8th CTA-Level Exhibition served as a platform to inspire the next generation of Tibetan thinkers, leaders, and innovators. The event highlighted the importance of integrating sustainability, creativity, and scientific temperament into education—laying strong foundations for a brighter, more thoughtful future.
