Scholarship Recipients 2024/25

I am committed to making a meaningful impact in community medicine. Through my studies in Community Health and Prevention Research, I aim to address critical gaps in healthcare access for underserved communities. My goal is to explore how lifestyle, cultural, and socioeconomic factors influence health outcomes among disadvantaged populations. I am deeply grateful to the Gaden Phodrang Foundation for supporting me in achieving these goals. I hope to apply the knowledge and skills I acquire to make a positive impact in my community one day.

My passion for technology and curiosity about artificial intelligence have driven my journey into computer engineering. Captivated by the workings of computers and math from an early age, I pursued a degree in software engineering, where I discovered a strong interest in AI and machine learning. A pivotal experience was collaborating on a machine learning paper, which fueled my desire to advance in AI research. Now, as a PhD student at the University of Ottawa, I am focused on computer vision in autonomous vehicle systems. Receiving the Dalai Lama Graduate Scholarship would be an incredible honor, supporting my goal to contribute to advancements in AI and autonomous systems that will shape the future of technology.

I am deeply honored to have received the Dalai Lama Graduate Scholarship to support my academic journey. My research focuses on the 12th-century Tibetan scholar Phywa pa Chos kyi Seng ge (1109-1169), with a particular emphasis on his commentary on the Mahāyānasūtrālaṃkāra. I aspire to study and practice the teachings of Buddha Dharma, and I aim to work within the Tibetan Buddhist community in the future, particularly by engaging with the works of ancient Tibetan scholars.

I hold an MA (Acharya level) in Buddhist Philosophy and a BA (Shastri level) in Tibetan Literature. I previously served as a Senior Lecturer in Tibetan Buddhist Philosophy, deepening my understanding of my tradition. Now, my studies in the Ministry program focus on Buddhist Chaplaincy and guidance counseling, both for Western and Tibetan communities. Receiving the Dalai Lama Graduate Scholarship is a tremendous honor, and I am deeply grateful to His Holiness and everyone involved in this scholarship, which will greatly support my educational journey.

I am incredibly honored to receive the Dalai Lama Graduate Scholarship as I pursue a career as a Physician Assistant (PA) at Weill Cornell. My experiences working with underserved populations through mentorship, health clinics, and outreach programs have fueled my commitment to this path. I am passionate about increasing Tibetan representation in medicine and providing culturally sensitive care, while also supporting young Tibetans interested in healthcare. Inspired by His Holiness’s teachings, I aim to carry his values into my work as a healthcare provider and in all aspects of life.

I am deeply honoured to receive the Dalai Lama Foundation scholarship, which will help me grow and develop in the field of robotics. This support broadens my career opportunities and enhances my skills, allowing me to take on real-world challenges and contribute to society through technological innovation. I am incredibly grateful to His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama and the Gaden Phodrang Foundation for giving me this important opportunity to pursue my Master’s in Robotics at the University of Bristol. Thank you for empowering Tibetan students like me to pursue academic achievements and contribute towards shaping a progressive society.

My name is Ngawang Sonam. After 17 years of studying Buddhist philosophy and Tibetan literature at Gaden Jangse Monastery in South India, I pursued a Western education at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, then joined the PhD program in Religious Studies at the University of Virginia in 2017. My dissertation focuses on Chapa Chökyi Sengé, a key twelfth-century Tibetan philosopher who influenced Tibetan Buddhist traditions by establishing the Middle Way as a primary orientation. I am deeply honored to receive the Dalai Lama Graduate Scholarship, which will allow me dedicated time to complete my research and advance my goal of contributing to the Tibetan community and culture.

Like many young Tibetans in the diaspora, I am the first in my family born in the United States after my parents immigrated through the Tibetan Resettlement Project in 1992. Growing up, I learned the importance of family, education, community, and preserving our Tibetan culture. With a Bachelor’s in Public Health Sciences from the University of Massachusetts Amherst, I have worked in diagnostic laboratories and conducted epidemiology research to support health equity in underserved communities. Now pursuing a Master’s in Public Health at Boston University, I am dedicated to improving global health and addressing health disparities. I am deeply honored to receive the Dalai Lama Graduate Scholarship, which will support me in advancing my career in infectious disease epidemiology and making a positive impact on the health of communities worldwide, including the Tibetan people.

My name is Tenzin Choedhen. With a background as a Software Developer, I’m thrilled to take the next step by pursuing Business Analytics, aiming to combine technical skills with business insights to elevate my career. I’ve had the privilege of contributing to the Tibetan community, especially through volunteer work at the Tibetan Computer Resource Centre under the Central Tibetan Administration in Dharamshala, and I look forward to giving back with enhanced expertise. I am deeply grateful for this scholarship and fully committed to making the most of this opportunity.