Dharamshala: The Department of Education, Central Tibetan Administration (CTA), participated in the conference and workshop on ‘Investigating the Impacts of Contemplative Practices’ organised by Emory University at the Dalai Lama Library and Archive from 22 May to 25 May 2024.
During the inaugural ceremony of the conference, a Letter of Intent (LOI) was signed between the Education Department of Himachal State Government and the Piramal Foundation in the gracious presence of His Holiness the Dalai Lama. According to Rajesh Sharma, the State Project Director, the state government intents to incorporate See Learning in 15,900 schools across the 12 districts of Himachal Pradesh to enhance student’s social, emotional, and ethical skills. The event was also attended by Secretary Jigmey Namgyal, Department of Education, CTA.
In the afternoon of that day, Dean Barbara Krauthamer, Prof. Lobsang Tenzin Negi, Executive Director, Prof. Robert William Roeser, Carol Evelyn Beck, Asha Manzy and Assistant Director and program facilitator of SEE Learning, Tsondue Samphel, from Emory University’s Center for Contemplative Science and Compassion-based Ethics, along with the President of the Templeton Foundation, John Thomas Cunningham, Vice President David F. Nasser, visited the Tibet Museum and the Library of Tibetan Works and Archives. Later that evening, they had a meeting cum dinner reception with Sikyong Penpa Tsering.
On 24 and 25 May, the Department of Education’s (DoE) facilitator for SEE Learning, Additional Secretary Tenzin Pema, along with Section Officers Karma Dekyi and Tsering Palzom, as well as students from three Tibetan Schools were given the opportunity to gain primary experience in scientific research. Fifteen students from the 12th-grade Science stream at Mussoorie Tibetan School, 15 students from the 12th grade at TCV Selekui, and 14 students from Sambhota Mewoen Tsulag Petoen School’s 10th grade with two teachers from each school actively participated in the workshop.
Additional Secretary Tenzin Pema from the Department of Education’s Education Council, briefed the implementation and practices of SEE Learning in Tibetan schools in India and Nepal during the session of 24 May. She added that there are 68 SEE Learning facilitators across India and Nepal, with 26 of them based within India’s Himachal State.
Apart from that, on 25 May, Education Kalon (Minister) Tharlam Dolma Changra addressed the participants, while Tenzin Samdup, the SEE Learning facilitator from Mewoen Tsulag Petoen School, provided an informative overview of the implementation of SEE Learning initiatives in their school curriculum.
The closing ceremony of the workshop on 25 May was graced by various distinguished guests, including Sikyong Penpa Tsering; Yangten Rinpoche, Secretary of the Office of His Holiness the Dalai Lama; Geshe Lhakdor, the director of the Library of Tibetan Works and Archives; Geshe Lobsang Gyaltsen, President of Geluk International Foundation; Geshe Thapkhe, Sera Mey Monastery Modern Education Director; and Ven. Lobsang Jangchup from Gaden Choeling Nunnery. Sikyong Penpa Tsering delivered a keynote speech during ceremony.
