LEARNING in HARMONY

Students reap rewards of shared, inclusive development in the Tibet autonomous region, Alexis Hooi reports in Lhasa and Nyingchi.

Growing up in a traditional herder's family, Tibetan Penba Tashi always wanted to help those around him and contribute to society. For the past three years, the 22-year-old has been studying and training as a medical major at Tibet University — steadily working toward his childhood dream of becoming a physician.

"I am the first in my family to attend university. It's thanks to the help and support from the Xizang government, its policies and subsidies for needy ethnic students like myself," he says, using the Chinese name of the Tibet autonomous region.

"Studying and living with students of other ethnic groups also helps us understand and learn from each other."