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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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