Empowering the Vision’s (ENVISION) University Outreach Activity was primarily aimed at reaching out to the young Tibetan students who would benefit from ENVISION’s two programmes LMAD and Fellowship. These two annual programmes of ENVISION targets young adults in colleges and those starting/nascent in their professional career. Considering the fewer number of applicants that we receive as against a number of seats available for the two programmes, ENVISION felt the need to reach out to young Tibetans, by going to them, in their campuses. Along with this primary objective, the activity was also planned to:
- understand young Tibetans – mostly in colleges – their aspirations, challenges, and grievances if any.
- spread the word about ENVISION’s ongoing programmes and initiatives, future programmes etc
Students in JNU and Delhi University where we have the maximum number of Tibetan students in Delhi, were our two areas of focus considering the accessibility for ENVISION and the fact that with a minimum constrain on our budget the activity could be implemented, while students in rest of the country, we are hoping to reach through social media, and other activities. The activity was designed such that it was less formal and more interactive to encourage active and maximum participation from the students.
The outreach activity for JNU students was held on 11 February in JNU campus with around thirty students (BA and MA degree) participating while the outreach activity for Delhi University students held in TCV youth hostel, Delhi on 7 March had over forty students in attendance. The informal program (at both venues) commenced with the ENVISION Deputy Director outlining the purpose of the outreach, followed by a presentation on ENVISION and its programs by ENVISION Senior Program Officer. Both of them highlighted the initiatives of the organization in education, capacity building, and the opportunities that ENVISION provides to graduating and graduate students – in the form of internships, fellowships, volunteering platforms, exposure/workshop experience, etc. – and how they can avail them.
Following this, the floor was opened for the students to raise questions, critique, and provide suggestions if any. As anticipated students at both the venues raised pertinent questions, provided feedback on many of our programs, some even expressed ignorance about ENVISION and its work, while some raised issues of importance that they felt could be addressed/championed by ENVISION concerning Tibetan youth, in the future
Many others while applauding our initiatives also suggested us to continue some of the existing programs that we have been partaking like Mission Admission, GTPN and Fellowships. Lodoe Gyaltsen, President of Delhi University Tibetan Student Union one of the participant suggested the importance of college admission help for new students finishing school in particular. He stressed that current college-going Tibetan students could help in the process rather than hire non-Tibetan Counsellors/admission who would cost much. This, he felt would also resonate better with aspiring Tibetan college students as they would identify with their own on how to manoeuvre the college admission challenges. Tenzin Choedon, MA student in International Relations at Jawaharlal Nehru University stressing on the similar concern raised the importance of counseling for students at the school itself.
To summarize, the University Outreach activity was very successful and a much-needed discussion with our target group – young Tibetans. We are certain participating students have been made aware of the various opportunities and programs that ENVISION extends at the same time we are enriched by their feedback and suggestions that will help us serve the community much better, particularly the young Tibetans.
ENVISION is grateful to Madam Tsering Dolma, Director and Gonpo la President of Student Council TCV Youth Hostel, Delhi and the Executives of Tibet Forum, JNU for welcoming us and for helping organise the activity in their hostel and campus respectively.
