Every year, once the grade XII results are announced by the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE), hundreds of students march to Delhi to enroll in undergraduate studies. Delhi University (DU) is one of the most reputed schools of higher education and children from across the country compete for seats in their colleges of choice. A large number of Tibetan students too find themselves aspiring to enroll in DU. These students many of whom have stepped out of their protected and community environment for the first time in their lives then face the uphill task and challenges of going about enrolling in the University.
This year, Mission Admission 2017 workshop was organized by ENVISION in collaboration with Tibetan Students Union/Group leaders in Delhi: Delhi University Tibetan Students Union (DUTSU), Global Tibetan Students Union (GTSU) and Student General Improvement Group (SGIG). The main purpose of organizing Mission Admission workshop was to help and guide as many students as possible for their admissions in undergraduate studies to Delhi University.
ENVISION have been conducting workshops of this nature for Tibetan students since long (except the last few years) but with Mission Admission 2017, a conscious decision was made to make this workshop a totally student led affair, unlike the previous ones where an expert or a professional counselor would lead the sessions. As such, these students could mentor the new students with their practical understanding of DU’s admission rules and regulation and through their own experiences, challenges and opportunities they came across as Tibetan students.
The two-day workshop was held on 6th & 7th June 2017 at Gyatoe Mimang Hall, Majnuka Tilla, New Delhi. Thirty students from different Tibetan schools across India attended the workshop. Within these two days of the workshop, an attempt to cover as many topics related to Delhi University as possible was made, ranging from admission procedures to eligibilities, hostel accommodations, general tips and guidance, fee structures of foreign students amongst others.
The two-day workshop begun with a presentation on personality trait assessment to help participants identify their career aspirations as per their personality orientation based on John Holland’s six personality types theory by ENVISION’s Tenzin Migmar.
This session was followed by a presentation on Delhi University admission procedures, hotels/ accommodations available and other guidelines by Lodoe Gyaltsen (DUTSU) and Norbu Tsering (GTSU). They also urged the students to grab opportunities beyond classroom lectures and expand their horizons during their time here in the reputed university and capital of the country.
Another student leader, Tenzin Jigdal of SGIG, guided the participants on eligibility, document requirements and fee structures as foreign students in Delhi University. Post the general overview of DU’s admission procedures, the students were divided into three groups as per their stream choices i.e. Arts, Science and Commerce in order to assist them better vis a vis their course selection and college options by the student leaders.
Day- two of the workshop started with an interaction with Deputy Dean of Foreign Students Registry at Conference Centre, Delhi University. Deputy Dean Dr. Ashutosh Bhardwaj assured his office’s support and assistance to our students. Following the interaction with Deputy Dean, students were taken through a campus tour of select few colleges and DU common areas to familiarize them with college environment and DU facilities.
Icebreaking activities were facilitated on both the days of the workshop to encourage interaction amongst participants and to expand their comfort zone. The introductory icebreaking game on day-one was intended to help participants to know each other and while on day-two the exercises focused on exchanging information about their college plans and hopes as a graduate student and on personal bonding. Participants like Ngawang Tsering who often felt challenged expressing or opening up, felt comfortable as the day progressed. “This initiative by ENVISION and the student leaders was great and helped me build my confidence,” said a visibly delighted Ngawang Tsering (THS Mussorie).
The two-day workshop of Mission Admission 2017 was successful in achieving many of its objectives. The positive feedback received from the participants at the end of the workshop reassured the effectiveness of such a workshop for new students. ENVISION is, however, grateful for some of their suggestions that they felt could be considered in planning the workshop for students next year.
“College campus tour and meeting with Deputy Dean of DU Foreign Student’s registry were some of the best parts of the workshop. I recommend continuation of the workshop in the future as this workshop is like an eye opener for the fresh graduates”- Karpo (TCV Suja)