• College Commencement; Academic session 2007/2008
  
  The college commenced after two months summer vacation on July 2, 2007. Mr. Thupten Lungrik la, honorable Education Minister was the chief guest for the inaugural function.
  The college offers a two year pre-primary Tibetan language teachers to a group of 17 students in collaboration with the Department of Education, CTA and teacher training program to a group of 25-30 people from the trans-Himalayan region. This year students selected for Tibetan Medical college were also required to do a six months intensive Tibetan language course like that of TCV TTC applicants.
  The college therefore has about 300 students for this academic year.
  
• The college also is very happy to have Miss. Elizabeth Ura, a former student of Emory University as English language teacher for one year. She will teach along with Mr. Tenzin Gelek, our English teacher from last year.
  
• Mr. Jampal Sherab la, a former graduate also joined us as a new contract teacher for this session. He will teach Tibetan to the Himalayan class.
  
• Between July 2 and 4, 2007, all the students and staff of the college gathered to recite Tara prayers for His Holiness the Dalai Lama's long life and success of the college.

• The Tibetan Version of BBC Planet Series Movie Launched
By: Tharchin Y Gonpo

Dharamshala 7th July, 2007: The Ocean of Knowledge Research and the Translation wing of the Institute of Buddhist Dialectics based in Dharamshala has officially launched the first ever Tibetan version of BBC Planet Series with the legal contract approved by the respective production house at the Gangkyi auditorium on 7th July, 2007.

The dubbing of Science Educational films into Tibetan Language was first started in early 2005 with the sound proof Audio Visual Studio being setup at the College for Higher Tibetan Studies (CHTS), the sister concern of the IBD, Dharamshala. The project being the first of its kind in exile Tibetan community has received appreciations from all corners. The Project Director, Geshe Kalsang Damdul said, "the complete dubbing of science educational films into Tibetan Language is the result of the persistence emphasis on the modern scientific knowledge by His Holiness the Dalai Lama in recent times. This project aims to promote the modern scientific knowledge within the Tibetan communities and particularly in the Tibetan monastic communities in India and in Tibet as well. Besides, the project also endeavours to enrich and to have unified and standard Tibetan vocabularies on various scientific terms and subjects."

The chief guest of the occasion, Kalon Thupten Lungrig inaugurated the “The Different Worlds” DVD which is screened through a projector on big screen. "This dubbing project of science movie initiated by the IBD is the first of its kind in exile. The innovative and the visionary project definitely have the tremendous potential to contribute to our Tibetan society in further enriching the modern scientific knowledge. Besides, it is also important to work on to have a standard Tibetan vocabulary on various scientific subjects," beams Kalon Thupten Lug rig.

"The completed translated science movies in DVDs will be distributed to all schools, nunneries and monasteries as teaching aids with a nominal price." says the project Director, Gashed Kelsang Damdul.

Gashed Jamphel Dakpa, the Principal of the College for Higher Tibetan Studies, Sarah concluded the programme by thanking all the concerned staffs who are involved in bringing out the first set of translated science DVDs. He especially thanked and appreciated Mrs. Kalon Takla Kelsang Yangkyi’s overwhelming support for acquiring the intellectual copy right permission from the BBC production House based in London.

• IInd "Bod Kyi Rig Ney Doleng"

July 21, 2007: His Holiness the 17th Gyalwa Karmapa very kindly graced the opening function of (Bod Kyi Rigney Doleng) "Debate on Tibetan Literary Culture" organized by the RTYC Sarah between July 21 - July 27, 2007.

Total of 34 participants from 9 different Tibetan higher learning centers and a representative of North and South Indian Tibetan students studying in Indian Universities attended the conference. The participants from each college/institute presented papers on different Tibetan cultural topics for presentation followed by discussion. Many Tibetan scholars also presented papers on various topics.

1) Institute of Buddhist Dialectics (IBD), Dharamsala - 3 participants

2) Central Institute of Higher Tibetan Studies (CIHTS), Sarnath - 3 participants

3) Tibetan Medical and Astrological Institute (TMAI), Dharamsala - 4 participants

4) Dolmaling nunnery, Sidhpur, Dharamsala - 3 participants

5) Kirti Monastery, Dharamsala - 3 participants

6) Drikung Kagyue Monastery, Dehradun - 3 participants

7) Dzongsar Institute, Chauntra - 4 participants

8) Norbulinka institute, Sidhpur - 3 participants

9) College for Higher Tibetan Studies, Sarah - 4 participants

• College Founding Anniversary

On August 13, 1998 His Holiness the Dalai Lama very kindly inaugurated the college and since then this auspicious day is celebrated as the college's founding anniversary. The college is happy and proud to report to our friends and donors that over the past 9 years hundreds of students have attended Sarah College for Higher Tibetan Studies and graduated with Bachelor of Tibetan Studies degrees, Bachelor of Education degrees, Primary Teacher Training certificates, and the experience of Public Service Trainings and numerous other workshops on education and Tibetan langauge. Currently there are no exile government offices or Tibetan schools in India, Nepal or Bhutan without a graduate from this college. The number of students seeking admission to the college is increasing every year but due to our facility's limited available accommodation we are unable to receive all of them. The college will work towards making our courses available for a bigger number of students in years to come.

Every year the college celebrates its founding day with a function in the morning. This year Geshe Damchoe Gyaltsen la, the Director of both IBD and the college graced the occassion. Geshe Jampal Dakpa la gave an introductory speech about the college and also presented last year's budget. He thanked the faculty, staff, and the IBD board of directors for their hard work and dedication which contributed immensely to the success of this college and commented on the future plans of Sarah College. One of the most important future plans is the much needed Masters program in Tibetan Studies, but Geshe Jampal Dakpa la added that the administration is already in the process of making this plan a reality. However, there are many issues which need to be discussed with the Department of Education and other concerned authorities before it is put into effect. Geshe la also extended his heartfelt thanks to those foreign friends and donors without whom the college would stop functioning, since the college administration heavily depends on these generous friends which keep Sarah College alive and moving.

The senior lecturer in Tibetan Poetry and Composition and a member of the Tibetan Parliament (ATPD), Mr. Lhamo Kyap talked about the importance of Tibetan education and the role of Sarah College during this critical time. He noted that the College has a comprehensive syllabus although the amount of education a student receives in three years can sometimes seem vast and deep. He noted the importance of introducing an honor system or a path for students to specialize in a particular subject so that a student can explore in more depth a subject of their interest and gain some expertise on this topic. The present system of studying all the major subjects, (Tibetan Grammar, Poetry and Compostion, History and Buddhist Philosophy), is overwhelming and students often study only to pass the examination. Mr. Lhamo Kyap also requested his fellow faculty to do research so that they might publish their own work which will benefit not only them and the college but also the Tibetan youth. He further added that the college administration should encourage and support these efforts.

The chief guest for the occassion Geshe Damchoe Gyaltsen la presented prizes for top ranking students in each class from last year's annual examinations and essay competition. He also thanked each and every member of this college for working very hard and for taking the college to new heights in preserving the Tibetan literary and philosophical tradition. Geshe Damchoe Gyaltsen la shared his personal account of his visit to Washington D.C., US last month where a former student from Sarah college was actively involved in organizing the Dalai Lama's visit and delivered a speech by which His Holiness was so impressed and happy, he asked her where she studied and she replied 'The College for Higher Tibetan Studies at Sarah.' His Holiness praised her and applauded her knowledge and ability to communicate in Tibetan. Geshe la continued that wherever he travels throughout the Tibetan community he meets former students of Sarah College. Even though he does not know each one personally, he feels very proud. He advised our student body to continue working hard in their studies and also to look after their health.

There was volleyball and basketball match throughout the evening and the students enjoyed the day. This day is celebrated with great pride and joy by the entire college every year.

Download CHTS Calendar 2007-2008