University of Bern to End Tibetan Studies Program

The University of Bern, Switzerland’s last institution offering Tibetology courses, will discontinue its Tibetan language and culture classes from the fall semester, reports Le Temps. The decision follows the expiration of a professorship and faculty reorganization. University officials cited low student enrollment and language difficulty as key factors. Tibetology lecturer Prof. Yannick Laurent and members of Switzerland’s Tibetan community expressed regret, emphasizing Switzerland's historical ties to Tibetan exiles. Community leaders hope external funding may restore Tibetology studies at a Swiss university. Switzerland hosts Europe’s largest Tibetan diaspora, with over 8,000 members as of 2018.