The Tibet Policy Institute (TPI) of the Central Tibetan Administration, Dharamshala, and the Centre for National Security Studies (CNSS) at M S Ramaiah University of Applied Sciences (MSRUAS), Bengaluru, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on 2 September 2024. This agreement aims to foster collaborative research and academic exchange on topics of mutual interest related to national security and Tibetan issues.
The MoU was signed by Dawa Tsering, Director of TPI, and Maj. Gen. JV Prasad (Retd.), Director of CNSS. This strategic partnership is designed to enhance research collaboration, educational opportunities, and policy advocacy on critical issues related to Tibet’s strategic geography, environmental implications, and the cultural and historical relationship between the two ancient civilizations. The MoU took effect on 2 September 2024, coinciding with Tibetan Democracy Day.
The signing of the MoU is the result of Sikyong Penpa Tsering’s meeting with Dr M R Jayaram, Chancellor of Ramaiah University of Applied Science, and members of CNSS during his visit to the University on 8 February 2024.
The program began with welcome remarks from Balasubramanian, Senior Research Officer of CNSS, and Tempa Gyaltsen Zamlha, Deputy Director of TPI. This was followed by introductory remarks from Maj. Gen. JV Prasad (Retd.), Director of CNSS and Dawa Tsering, Director of TPI, highlighted the potential for both institutions to advance policy advocacy and research on critical national security and strategic issues.
Special remarks were made by PM Heblikar, a Member of the CNSS Management Committee. The speakers emphasised the significance of this partnership in advancing scholarly work and policy studies on Tibetan issues. This is the first establishment of Tibetan Studies at an Indian University in south India. The Director of CNSS also highlighted that the University will offer scholarships to Tibetan students to study at the Ramaiah University of Applied Science.
Dr Tsewang Dorji, Research Fellow at TPI, officials from the Chief Representative’s Office of the CTA in Bengaluru, and members of CNSS were present to witness the signing of the MoU. They expressed optimism about the positive impact this partnership will have on future policy research and academic exchange.
Established in 2023, the Centre for National Security Studies (CNSS) at MSRUAS is a leading research center dedicated to India’s comprehensive national security, focusing on areas such as emerging technologies, maritime security, and climate change.
Founded in 2012, the Tibet Policy Institute (TPI) serves as the think tank of the Central Tibetan Administration, providing intellectual support and research on Tibetan issues to influence international policies concerning Tibet and the Tibetan people.
This MoU is expected to pave the way for new initiatives and collaborative research to benefit both institutions and contribute significantly to the broader discourse on national security and strategic studies related to Tibet. The Director of CNSS stated a Tibetan Studies section with CNSS will be set up and that Ramaiah University will also provide two scholarship to Tibetan Students.
