In old China, only a few scholars studied Tibetology
under difficult conditions. In the beginning of the founding
of New China, in order to revitalize Tibetological studies,
the state started to choose and transfer Tibetological
experts of all nationalities, wherever they lived, to
organizations in Tibetan studies, providing them with
excellent working and living conditions.
In
June 1961 , the Chinese Government set up the Central
Institute for Nationalities in Beijing, The first speciality
designated for the Institute was Tibetan language and
literature. At that time, a large group of promising youth
chosen from universities across the country was sent to
study there. This marked the start of new China's training
of a team for Tibetan study. With outstanding direction and
help from the scholars and experts of the old generation,
many young people have become senior specialists in such
fiends as the study and teaching of Tibetology, as well as
compiling, translating and publishing.
In the
early days of the 1960s, under the personal interest of late
Chinese Premier Zhou Enlai, the Central Institute for
Nationalities opened a class for the study of ancient
Tibetan language. Famous Tibetan scholars were invited to
teach on the topics of Tibetan language and literature,
history, religion, philosophy, medicine and astronomy, as
well as related studies. The graduates of this class
constitute the backbone of today's Tibetan studies. In
addition, Northwest China's Institute for Nationalities,
Southwest China's Institute for Nationalities, Qinghai
Institute for Nationalities and Tibet Institute for
Nationalities all have made marked contributions in training
qualified personnel specializing in Tibetan
studies.
Since 1978 , almost one hundred post -
graduates of Tibetan studies, among whom Tibetans make up
more than one - half , have finished their studies.
Meanwhile, a large number of students graduated from other
colleges, too, and all of them are now engaged in Tibetan
studies. These middle-aged and young scholars do not wish to
limit themselves within traditional Tibetan studies, some
have published works of high academic quality. Their rise in
the academic circle is convincing evidence that china's
Tibetan studies have qualified successors.
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