Tibetan Studies Conference to Proceed Virtually After Nepal Government Ban

A major international conference on Tibetan studies, initially banned by the Nepal government, will now proceed virtually from August 23-29. The 17th seminar of the International Association for Tibetan Studies (IATS) was originally scheduled to take place in Kathmandu, but the government intervened citing sensitivities related to Tibet.

The IATS board announced the decision to hold the conference virtually after the Nepalese government’s sudden ban. The organizers expressed disappointment and concern over the impact on Nepal’s reputation as a host for international academic events. The conference was expected to draw over 700 participants from around the world, with many already having booked flights and hotel rooms in Kathmandu.

The IATS board stated that the decision to ban the conference was made without prior consultation or warning, despite the organization having worked closely with Kathmandu University, the co-host, since 2023. The board also pointed out that the conference had been planned for three years, with significant financial investments made.

In a letter to Nepal’s Education Minister Sushma Pokharel, the IATS advisory board expressed their disappointment and requested assistance in facilitating the conference. However, with no response from the minister, the organizers decided to proceed with the virtual conference.

The conference will now take place online, with participants able to join from anywhere in the world. The IATS board emphasized that the event would still follow its original format and schedule.

The ban on the conference has raised concerns about Nepal’s ability to host international academic events in the future. The IATS board warned that the incident could damage Nepal’s reputation and lead to economic losses.

The conference is a significant event in the field of Tibetan studies, with Nepal having a notable academic expertise in the area. The IATS board expressed concern that the ban would not only affect the conference but also the broader field of Himalayan studies.