Pema Yangchen, the new Education Minister of the Central Tibetan Administration, in an undated file photo. She was approved by the Parliament on 21 March 2018, and will be part of the Lobsang Sangay-led 15th Cabinet. Photographer unknown
By Lobsang Wangyal
McLEOD GANJ, India, 21 March 2018
Pema Yangchen, former Vice Principal of The Dalai Lama Institute for Higher Education, Bangalore, becomes the new Education Minister of the Lobsang Sangay-led 15th Cabinet of the Central Tibetan Administration.
The Tibetan Parliament-in-exile approved her nomination by Sangay with 26 members voting in favour, 15 against, and 3 blank votes. Member Dawa Phunkyi opposed the appointment, saying that there should be discussion and a secret ballot.
Replying to Phunkyi’s objection, Sangay said that the Department of Education is very important and should have its own minister. He told Parliament that Yangchen is a good choice because of her education and her experience as an educationist.
Following the appointment of Ngodup Tsering as the Representative of the Dalai Lama in Washington DC, the Education Department has been handled as an additional charge by Karma Geleg Yuthok since December last year.
Pema Yangchen, 49, is a doctorate scholar from University of Northern Iowa. She completed her schooling from Tibetan Children’s Village in Dharamshala, and obtained her BA Honours in English Literature from the University of Delhi and BEd in English from University of Madras, Tamil Nadu, India.
Yangchen, married to Rebkong Kalsang Dorjee, will be moving to Dharamshala from Victoria, British Columbia, Canada.
The 15th Cabinet, led by Lobsang Sangay with six ministers, will end its term in March 2021.
Palkyi working in DC Tibetan Office is still parachute jumping. How many CTA officials might be there who would want such a post?
So, Acha Palkyi will most likely work with Tibetan Prem Chopra in DC. Pema Yangchen is deserving of kalon but Palkyi is not.
So commentator Rinchen Nyima from McLeod Ganj was right about Pema Yangchen. Congratulations to our new Sherig Kalon. We are sure that you would be able to bring about the much needed changes and improvements in this department. Also hope that Sikyong will not interfere in each and every move you make, and not take the credit for himself of your achievements.
With regard to Palkyi, I feel that either Sikyong or Palkyi herself withdrew her name to be proposed after it was reported on Tibet Sun and the assumption that she may not get approved. In any case, we know that she will be in Washington DC in the new post created there. She will be good in that position, given her experience and the networks she has created there. All the best Palkyi.
Congratulations to Dr. Pema la! She looks like her head is firmly set on her shoulder. Hopefully, she will be a great role model for young Tibetan girls.
Bubble-head feminist like Dhardon Sharling and Tenzin Pelkyi left their everything for the charmer Sikyong LS and his friend Kaydor. Dhardon left PHd and her Chithu post. Pelkyi left her husband and job in Washington.
Just think, how will such airheads lead us when they could be so easily manipulated by some sweet talks from our most popular crooks?
what happened to Tenzin Palkyi la? Is she going to be the undersecretary for the Ari Dhonchoe as expected?
In that case how can she get enough of LS and Kaydor for whom she left? May be LS will call Donald Trump for a White House position.
BTW, what happened to the claim North American Dhonchoe Tibetan penniless Harvey Weinstein that he will get Special Co-ordinator for Tibet appointed within 90 days of his office or resign if he fails to do? Is time up for this old sly?
We also hear that at the appointment of Dr. Pema Yangchen, Dadron Sharling was found in Kashag bathroom crying. Strange?
Let’s see and wait for the last day of Parliament session to know whether Pelkyi gets to join Shakti Kapoor- Ranjit combo (LS-Kaydor) in Dhasa or join Pran (Ngodup Tsering) in DC.
Experience is not a issue but tainted Kashag is issue. Will it dent her reputation being one among tainted and dump kashag led by arrogant and regionalistic minded LS.
Madam Pema Yangchen la Hearty Tashi Delek on your appointment to high office of Kalon vacated by a crooked who moved to a greener pasture. Hope you will do justice to the position and serve the teaching and student community.
BTW your look is eerily similar to LS’s wife. Are you her blood relation by any chance? His appointment of previous Health Kalon whose important qualification also happens to be his wife’s in-law forces us to raise this question. Guy known for nepotism in Tibetan society will certainly have some thing to grind on you. LS turns out to be father of Lodi Gyari in this department.
this clearly shows that blaming kashag is just a face but the real issue is you guys don’t like lobsang Sangey. Grow up man. he is sikyong and he will finish the term and his name is already in the Tibetan history. then what is the point of your shouting?
Qualified but lack of experience in management. Managing education department under the shadow of LS will be challenging for her.
Do you think we all come experienced?
At least for the top and managerial positions. The current problem faced by LS and Kashag is because of such inexperience in administration which is a different ball game altogether.
New Education Kalon’s has qualification, experience and motivation. So, her appointment came as a relief and a good news.
Though not important, Sikyong’s penchant for twisting words is prominently clear in the use of term Rebkong with the new kalon’s husband’s name. Wonder whether she herself is an Amdo or Sikyong just using the amdo connection of her husband’s name to give some message to the Tibetans.
Hearty congratulations to Kalon Pema Yangchen la! You totally deserve the post and hope you will do justice to the public expectation.