Photo: Mount Kailas in Tibet © J El Nemr

The aim of this scheme is to promote better qualifications, academic or vocational, in the belief that those better educated Tibetans will contribute back to their refugee community.

Sponsorship for Excellence came into being due to the Director's frequent travels to Nepal inspired by a love for the Himalayas, a great admiration for the Tibetan people and their culture (the Director holds an MA in Tibetan Art) and empathy with their plight in exile.

The Director became aware that many Tibetan refugees in Nepal do not have many opportunities for continuing their education to a higher level having completed secondary education at the age of 16. The standard of their English is poor and they do not have any qualifications.

There is a reluctance among the Nepalese to employ Tibetans, so unless they are able to establish a business of their own Tibetans living in Nepal face a prospect of unemployment and an uncertain future.

To learn more about the plight of Tibetan refugees in Nepal go to the Background section now!