| II. Teams in Tibetological Studies
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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