Leh Workshop Report

A pre-conference workshop on “Research in Ladakh: Sharing experiences and research method” for youths and those interested in research was organised by the International Association for Ladakh Studies (IALS) in collaboration with Moravian Mission School, Leh on 2^nd November, 2014. Around 40 people, including students from Eliezer Joldan Memorial College, Leh and members of IALS participated in the workshop, which was in preparation for the 17^th IALS conference in Kargil in 2015.

The workshop started with an introductory presentation by Sonam Wangchok, secretary, IALS. He gave an overview of IALS and its objectives, after which he provided details of the 2015 conference. The workshop was then divided into three distinct sessions. In the first session, Dr. Sonam Wangchok spoke about research methodology and methods followed by a talk by Sunetro Ghosal, editor of IALS’ journal Ladakh Studies, on research methodology and ethics.

The second session included talks by senior researchers, who shared their own experience in conducting research and how they overcome various challenges they faced. This included talks by Abdul Ghani Sheikh, Dr. Thupstan Nurboo of Cultural Academy, Prof. Mohammed Saleem of Sher-e-kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Kashmir (SKUAST-K), Nawang Tsering Shakspo, Tashi Morup of Ladakh Arts and Media Organisation, Tashi Dawa Tsangspa of Eliezer Joldan Memorial College, Leh, Muzaffar Hussain from Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi and Dr. Tsewang Namgail of Snow Leopard Conservancy India Trust. Each talk was followed by an interactive session, between the participants and the speaker who encouraged youth to explore their interest in research.

The third Session was chaired by Rev. E.S. Gergan, principal, Moravian Mission School, Leh. It started with feedback about the workshop from each participant. The general feedback was positive and encouraging, with the participants appreciating the initiative taken by IALS. Many of them said they used to associate research with special degrees and the workshop helped them realise there are no such requirements or age limits to conduct research. One participant was even more candid, “I used to think that only foreigners can do research and publish books but now realise that even Ladakhis can do research. I will now publish at least one book!” 

In his concluding address, Rev. Gergan said that research starts from our childhood when we inquisitively explore the world around us. He added, “Research is not only about degrees. I know many researchers who do not have doctorate degree and still supervise other scholars for their degrees. I am happy to see that IALS is organizing workshops to nurture students and new researchers.

For more information about IALS and its activities, please log onto www.ladakhstudies.org