Cambridge Links with Tibet - Education Not Politics

Chokey Dolma (ELST Scholar 2006) with a picture of H.H. during a visit to Cambridge in 1973

Tibetan links with Cambridge go back to the Dalai Lama`s very first visit to the West. Here Tibetan refugee Chokey Dolma is shown with a picture of His Holiness the Dalai Lama on his first visit to the West in 1973, also his first visit to Cambridge, being greeted by Lord Adrian, Chancellor of the University, in the Great Court, Trinity College. Chokey Dolma, a teacher, writer and researcher is here in Cambridge on a scholarship arranged by Cambridge charity English Language Scholarships for Tibetans (ELST).

In danger of being detained, Chokey Dolma left her home and family in Tibet. Like many others who escape from Tibet either for their own safety, or simply in their determination to receive a good education, she walked to freedom over the Himalayas. As a member of the Tibetan community in exile Chokey Dolma received an education in Tibetan studies and now teaches at Dolma Ling Nunnery in north India. Especially interested in Tibetan poetry, children`s literature and education for women, Chokey Dolma is in Cambridge as a guest of Girton College and studying at Studio Cambridge thanks to a place given by Studio. Chokey Dolma says,

"I am determined to make the best use of this opportunity. I have so much learn from Cambridge. In return I want to help Tibetan people in the field of education, especially the women. We need to preserve our Tibetan culture; it has much to offer the world. This preservation goes hand in hand with our Tibetan community in India and Tibet moving forward and living successfully and meaningfully in the contemporary world."