A Weatherhead
East Asian Institute
& Columbia University Event
NEW APPROACHES
IN HIMALAYAN EDUCATION:
Learning in Ladakh
25–28 APRIL 2023
An International Conference Connecting Educationists, Scholars, and Students of Asian Studies, Development Studies, Education Policy, Public Health, and Environmental Studies; this conference is rescheduled after the 2020 COVID-19 shutdown to benefit scholars, educators, and community leaders.
NAHE 2023 is co-sponsored by the Department of East Asian Languages and Cultures at the university and the following generous community partners:
Siddhartha School Partnership, the Tibetan Classics Translators' Guild of New York, Global Family Travels, Maysles Documentary Center, the Columbia University School of the Arts, and the US-Ladakh Skitsdug Tsokspa Association
A Crossroads of High Asia at a Critical Juncture
Ladakh, India, is bordered in the east by Tibet, in the north by the Xinjiang Autonomous Region of China, in the northwest by Pakistan, in the west by Kashmir, and in the south by the Lahaul and Spiti Valleys of India. As a historical stop for Silk Road traders and contemporary destination for international and domestic tourists, Ladakh is a crossroads of high Asia, and its culture is at a critical juncture.
While the reconstitution of Jammu and Kashmir State by the Indian government may have escalated tension in the Kashmir Valley, Ladakhis are hopeful that their new Union Territory status and independence from J & K will foster growth and prosperity.
As Ladakh undergoes this new transformation, the surge in development will continue to challenge families to transition to new ways to earn income. Schools, cultural organizations, and government agencies, as well as local and international NGOs, must anticipate and respond to the changing needs of young people to help ensure that this new generation is well equipped to adapt, influence, and flourish amid rapid environmental, economic, and geopolitical change.
Ladakh’s heritage is a tapestry of religious, philosophical, and artistic threads woven together through trade, travel, and a physically challenging landscape; it may unravel or bind together, depending on how local educational initiatives support parents, administrators, teachers, and students.
A Unique Opportunity to Exchange Ideas and Chart New Directions
This conference will explore various local education initiatives, identify best practices through a panel discussion with participants, and consider ways to better support local leadership in addressing historical and emerging obstacles in response to the changing needs and untapped potential of Ladakh’s youth.
Join us for the New Approaches in Himalayan Education Conference program April 25-28, 2023. As a compelling case study for educators and scholars working in the Himalayas and with its diaspora, looking at Ladakh will undoubtedly spark a lively discussion and possible applications for educationists and researchers working in Central and South Asia as well as Tibetan diaspora communities.
Topics include the social and emotional learning (SEL) and secular ethics training initiatives, trends in digital technology and possible classroom applications, contemporary cultural programming and arts education workshops, presentation of classical language and literature, environmental education, health education, and more.
Please note that our schedule of speakers and events continues to evolve, so check back often here for the latest updates to to program. Our hope is that the NAHE: Learning In Ladakh conference will lead to future programs on Himalayan education featuring the critical work of others in the region.
SCHEDULE:
Day 1: Tuesday 25 April 2023
Opening Reception and Film Screening
Tibet House US - NYC
6:00 pm - 7:00 pm Reception
7:00 pm - 9:00 pm Screening GRANDIR AU LADAKH and Conversation with Stanzin Dorjai Gya
India/France, 2017, 60 min
Directors: Stanzin Dorjai Gya and Christiane Mordelet
Day 2: Wednesday 26 April 2023
New Approaches in Himalayan Education Conference Presentations and Panel Discussions with an International Assembly of Educators
Room 918, Weatherhead Institute - School of International Relations & Public Affairs at Columbia University (420 W 118th Street, NY, NY 10027)
Please Register and RSVP to Reserve Your Spot
9:30 - 9:40 am Welcome by Conference Co-organizers : Gray Tuttle, Leila Hadley Luce Professor of Modern Tibetan Studies, Vice Chair, and History-East Asia Program Coordinator, Columbia University - New York and Laura Kozaitis, Co-founder of the Siddhartha School - Stok, Ladakh
9:40 - 10:20 am Presentations to Help Set Historical Context, Assess Current Work and Challenges:
9:40 - 10 am
“Looking Back to Move Forward: Lessons from Over 40 Years in Education”
Eshey Tondup, Executive Director of the Ladakh Ecological Development Group and Principal Emeritus. Lamdon School - Leh, Ladakh
— Rigzin Gurmet, video testimonial from a Ladakhi college graduate (2 min)
10:00 - 10:20 am
“Education in Leh: Current Work at District Institute of Education and Training to Students, Teachers, and Families”
Konchok Angmo, Director of University of Ladakh, Leh Campus and Principal Emeritus, District Institute of Education and Training (DIET) - Leh, Ladakh
10:20 - 10:40 am
“The Present State of Secondary and Higher Education in Kargil and the Challenges Likely To Be Faced By Youth in the New UT System”
Dr. Kaneez Fatima, Rector, University of Ladakh, Kargil Campus - Kargil, Ladakh, and Chairperson, Center for Social Development and Policy Research - Kargil, Ladakh.
10:40 - 11:00 am (virtual)
“A Brief History of the Operation New Hope Movement to Improve Education in Leh with the Education Department”
Rebecca Norman, Educator and Linguist, SECMOL Alternative Institute
11:00 - 11:15 am Break
— ‘Sekool’ a short film by Stenzin Tankyong (14 mins)
11:30 - 12:30 pm Panel Discussion: Rigzen Wangmo, Dechen Wangmo, Eshey Tondup, Konchok Angmo, and Dr. Kaneez Fatima, Moderated by Dr. Amrit Thapa (Senior Lecturer Literacy, Culture, and International Education Division University of Pennsylvania Graduate School of Education), discuss “Conclusions on Current Challenges and Potential Opportunities for Ladakhi Educators”
12:30 - 1:30 pm Lunch Break
1:30 - 1:40 pm Welcome back
1:40 - 4:20 pm Presentations to explore dimensions of health, environment, gender, and language in Ladakh’s education system
1:40 - 2:00 pm “The Impact of COVID-19 on a Ladakhi School: A Paradigm Shift for Teachers, Parents, and Students”
Dechen Wangmo, Principal, Siddhartha High School - Stok, Ladakh
2:00 - 2:20 pm “"Understanding the Sexual and Reproductive Health Needs of Youth in Ladakh and Identifying Ways to Address Them” (virtual)
Stanzin Angmo, Population, Family and Reproductive Health - Project Coordinator, Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission, UT Ladakh and Co-founder, New Ladakhi Girls - Leh, Ladakh
2:20--2:40 pm “Gender Trends in Academic Performance: A Case Study in Kargil”
Dr. Kaneez Fatima, Rector, University of Ladakh, Kargil Campus - Kargil, Ladakh and Chairperson, Center for Social Development and Policy Research - Kargil, Ladakh
— Jigmet Angmo, video testimonial from a class 10 student at Ladakh Public School (2 min)
2:40 - 3:00 pm
"Envisioning an Intergenerational Model of Education in Ladakhi Villages"
Rigzen Wangmo, Master's Degree Candidate, Harvard Education School - Cambridge, MA.
3:00 - 3:15 Tea Break
3:20 - 4:20 pm Panel Discussion: Dr. Kaneez Fatima, Dechen Wangmo, Rigzen Wangmo, Sophie Langri, and Tsewang Namgail (moderator)
4:20 - 4:30 pm Closing Remarks
Day 3: Thursday 27 April 2023
New Approaches in Himalayan Education Conference Presentations and Panel Discussions with an International Assembly of Educators
Room 918, Weatherhead Institute - School of International Relations & Public Affairs at Columbia University (420 W 118th St #1410, NY, NY 10027)
9:30 - 9:40 am Welcome - Gray Tuttle, Leila Hadley Luce Professor of Modern Tibetan Studies, Vice Chair, and History-East Asia Program Coordinator, Columbia University - New York and Laura Kozaitis, Co-founder of the Siddhartha School - Stok, Ladakh
9:40 - 11:20 am Presentations exploring elements of a more holistic education for Ladakhi youth
9:40 -10:00 am
“Applied Classical Language Training Strategies for the Contemporary Himalayan Classroom”
Tenzin Gelek, Senior Specialist, Himalayan Art and Culture - Rubin Museum of Art and Program Officer, Trace Foundation, and Co-founder of the Latse Library Project
—Stanzin Tundup, video testimonial from an online student, Film and Television Institute of India (2 min)
10:00 - 10:20 am Presentation: “Arts Integrated Education and Its Relevance for Ladakh”
Dr. Monisha Ahmed
Co-founder and Executive Director, Ladakh Arts and Media Organization, Ladakh
10:20 - 10:40 am “Nature-based Education in Ladakh: A Step Towards Place-Based Learning”
Dr. Tsewang Namgail
Executive Director, Snow Leopard Conservancy India Trust - Leh, Ladakh
10:40 - 11:00 am
"Singing Water Songs: Reconnecting to Our Roots through Music Education"
Tashi Morup, Projects Director, Ladakh Arts and Media Organization, Ladakh.
— Rigzen Dorjey, video testimonial from a Eliezer Joldan Memorial College student (2 min)
11-11:20am “Envisioning a Multicultural Curriculum for the Ladakhi Classroom”
Tsewang Chuskit
Master's Degree Candidate, University of Pennsylvania - Philadelphia, PA
11:20 - 11:30 am Tea Break
11:30 - 12:30 pm Panel Discussion: Monisha Ahmed, Tsewang Chuskit, Tashi Morup, Tsewang Namgail, Laura Kozaitis (Moderator)
12:30-`1:30 pm Lunch Break
1:30 - 2pm CLOSING REMARKS at Weatherhead
3:00 pm - 4:00 pm Himalayan Heritage Education at the Rubin Museum: Presentation by Tashi Chodron
4:00 - 5:00 pm Reception to follow at Café Serai
Day 4: Friday 28 April 2023
Closing Reception and film screening
Room 511 Dodge Hall at Columbia University (2960 Broadway, NY, NY 10027)
(co-sponsored by the Columbia School of the Arts)
7:00 pm - 9:00 pm Screening and conversation with Director Stanzin Dorjai Gya
SHEPHERDESS OF THE GLACIERS
France/India 2016, 74 min
Directors : Stanzin Dorjai Gya and Christiane Mordelet
Co-Production: Les Films de la Découverte and Himalaya Film House
SPEAKERS
Eshey Tondup
Executive Director, Ladakh Ecological Development Group, and Principal Emeritus, Lamdon School - Leh, Ladakh
Looking Back to Look Forward: Lessons from Over 40 Years in Ladakhi Education
Konchok Angmo
Director of University of Ladakh, Leh Campus
Principal Emeritus, District Institute of Education and Training (DIET) - Leh, Ladakh
Education in Leh: Current Work at the District Institute of Education to Support Students, Teachers and Families
Ms. Kaneez Fatima
Rector, University of Ladakh - Kargil Campus
Chairperson, Center for Social Development and Policy Research - Kargil, Ladakh
The Present State of Secondary and Higher Education in Kargil and the Challenges Likely To Be Faced By Youth in the New UT System
- and -
Gender Trends in Academic Performance: A Case Study in Kargil
Dr. Monisha Ahmed
Co-founder and Executive Director, Ladakh Arts and Media Organization - Ladakh
Arts Integrated Education and Its Relevance for Ladakh
Tashi Morup
Projects Director, Ladakh Arts and Media Organization - Ladakh
Singing Water Songs: Reconnecting to Our Roots through Music Education
Dechen Wangmo
Principal, Siddhartha High School - Stok, Ladakh
The Compassionate Classroom: The Challenges and Opportunities in Growing an SEL Culture at a Ladakhi School
Dr. Tsewang Namgail
Director, Snow Leopard Conservancy India Trust - Leh, Ladakh
Experiential Learning Opportunities In Environmental Education
Rigzen Wangmo
Ed.M. Candidate at Harvard Graduate School of Education and Founder, Ladakh Literary Society, - Leh, Ladakh
Envisioning an Intergenerational Model of Education in Ladakhi Villages
Stanzin Angmo
Population, Family and Reproductive Health - Project Coordinator, Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission, UT Ladakh, New Ladakhi Girls - Ladakh
Envisioning and Articulating Comprehensive Health Education for Ladakhi Youth
Tsewang Chuskit
EdM. Candidate, International Educational Development (IEDP) Program- University of Pennsylvania and Co-founder, New Ladakhi Girls - Leh, Ladakh
Envisioning a Multicultural Curriculum for the Ladakhi Classroom
PANELISTS
Khensur Rinpoche Lobzang Tsetan
Founder, Siddhartha School Stok - Leh, Ladakh, and Retired Abbot of Tashi Lhunpo Monastery - Bylakuppe, Karnataka
Dr. Gray Tuttle
Leila Hadley Luce Professor of Modern Tibetan Studies, East Asian Languages and Cultures Department, Columbia University - New York City
Tashi Chodron
Himalayan Cultural Programs & Partnerships, Rubin Museum of Art, New York, New York, Founder and Researcher, Tibetan Oral History Project - New York, New York
Sophie Boyer Langri
Co-founder and Facilitator, Institute of Social Emotional Education - Quebec, Canada
Dr. Amrit Thapa
Senior Lecturer of Literacy, Culture, and International Education Division, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia
Stanzin Dorjai Gya
Filmmaker and Director
Himalayan Film House
Leh, Ladakh
Laura Kozaitis
Co-founder and Advisor
Siddhartha School Partnership
New York, New York
Tenzin Gelek
Senior Specialist, Himalayan Art and Culture
Rubin Museum of Art
Danielle Marquis
Psychologue clinique chez Privée
Capitale-Nationale, Quebec, Canada
Pam Huling
Chief Operating Officer, Blue Chalk Media
SPONSORS
The Weatherhead East Asian Institute, the East Asian Languages and Cultures Department, and the School of the Arts at Columbia University are joined by the following esteemed community partners in sponsoring the complete conference program of events and film screenings:
Tibetan Classics Translators' Guild
of New York
US-Ladakh Skitsdug Tsokspa
Association
LEARNING IN LADAKH: The Blog
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©2020 by New Approaches in Himalayan Education Conference. Images: Tenzin Dorjee and Victor Salvo, All rights Reserved.
