The goal of this paper is to cover the topics of Tibet’s approach to business and Education. However, due to the occupation of China, Han Chinese language is now being used to conduct education and Business interactions. I will do my best to cover Tibet’s approach to both topics before and after the occupation.
Han Chinese, not Tibetans, most often conduct business in Tibet. The Han argue that it is not in the Tibetan’s traditions or culture to start business enterprises. Most of the Tibetan’s are farmers or herders when the Chinese are used to doing business.
Business etiquette in Tibet is similar to that in China, as the Chinese do most of the business in Tibet. Working hours are between nine o’clock in the morning and six o’clock in the evening with a one hour mid-day break. In regards to business meetings; appointments should be made in advance and punctuality is expected. Suits should be worn for business, and business cards should be printed with the Chinese translation on the back and should be presented with both hands. Once cards are exchanged, it would be rude for you not to examine it. Putting it in your back pocket is considered extremely disrespectful. Business meals can last for several hours and international visitors may be expected to drink to a number of toasts. It is also an advantage to have a tolerance for tobacco smoke. (“Tibet Business Etiquette”)
The main exports in Tibet are; Livestock, traditional medicine, borax and other minerals, lumber and carpets. China also rents Tibetan land out to other countries so that they can mine within Tibet. These countries include; Mongolia, Belgium, and Canada. As a result of Chinas occupation in Tibet, Tibetans have a hard time using their own resources for their benefit. In addition, the mining is resulting in negative effects on the environment.
Those opposed to the occupation claim that business men from the eastern part of China are encouraged by financial support since China wants more Han Chinese to move into Tibet, to make it more “Chinese”. This argument was written in an article featuring an interview with a Chinese business man in Tibet, Lin Chunfu. (“Tibetan Business” 1).
Before the Chinese occupation in Tibet, Tibet was traditionally a herding and agricultural economy. For the most part there was no currency; Bartering was the method of exchange until the 1960s. (“Tibetan Economic, Business, Resources, and Tourism”)
There are two different approaches to education in the Tibetan culture, the approach to education in Tibet and the approach for those in Exile.
“Education and knowledge are like an instrument. Whether that instrument is put into use in a constructive way depends on each person’s motivation. An education system that cultivates smart brains alone can sometimes create more problems than it solves. However, it is noticeable that if a child with a good intellectual education happens to have parents with a warm heart and a sense of responsibility for both caring and discipline, than these can go together well and be very constructive. It is my hope that in future, not only the Tibetan educational system, but those in other places too, will pay specific attention to the development of human warmth and love. (His holiness The 14th Dalai Lama)
Secondary education in Tibet is predominantly taught in Chinese. Throughout the Chinese occupation of Tibet and the forced assimilation of the Tibetan people into the “motherland”, Children in the School system that is predominantly taught in Mandarin are unable to learn about their countries history and culture.
Tibetan parents are only offered one option in their children’s education, Chinas way. In order for their children to have any chance at a future and options in job opportunities, they must be fluent in Chinese. Any delay in starting their education will set them back in later years.
The official language in Tibet is now Chinese. Young Tibetans are being re-educated on their history, however, they are withholding any references to the history of Tibet prior to the occupation of China. Tibetans heritage is considered a handicap and few Tibetans graduate to secondary school, the Chinese student’s education is far superior to that of the Tibetans, and if an individual can only speak Tibetan, they have no future.
The Chinese occupation of Tibet and the subsequent forced assimilation of Tibet into China has put the next generations at risk of maintaining the Tibetan culture. Many Tibetan students end up not being able to write of even speak in Tibetan. They are at a great risk of losing touch with their unique heritage.
In exile, eighty- five to ninety percent of school aged children are enrolled in school. The Tibetan Department of Education system oversees the education and welfare of approximately twenty-eight thousand students in seventy-seven Tibetan schools in India, Nepal, and Bhutan. (“Department of Education” 1) The schools follow the curriculum of the country in which they are located and the focus in on both modern and traditional education to promote the balanced development of the children.
The Department of Education is relying on donations to complete much needed school infrastructure Development projects such as construction of staff quarters, additional Hostels, boundary walls and fences, multipurpose hall for science labs and libraries, school vehicle garages and much more.
Scholarships are also offered and competed for by Tibetan students; unfortunately, the Department of Education is only able to provide around 200 scholarships per year for all types of higher education.
In the Tibetan culture, Tibetans are struggling with both business and education. The students in Tibet are largely unable to learn about their own culture, and the students in exile have very little resources to offer their students. As for business in Tibet and in exile, Tibetans are facing the challenges of having no tradition as a culture of starting business enterprises. Tibetans have no capital and no marketing or branding skills. The future of Tibet and whether or not they are able to retain their culture and heritage is yet to be seen.

Work cited
“Tibet Business Etiquette” Columbus Travel Media Ltd. @2011 http://www.worldtravelguide.net/tibet/business-etiquette
“Tibetan Economic, Business, Resources, and Tourism” Hays, Jeffrey July 2011 http://factsanddetails.com/china.php?itemid=199&catid=6&subcatid=37 “Tibetan Business” Nepaltourism.com.info @2006 http://www.nepaltourism.info/tibet/tibet_business.html “Department of education” Tibetan Computing Resource Centre: 2000-2009