The Tibetan brothers who were denied the license to practice dentistry in Nepal for being stateless back in 2015 have now been qualified for dental programs in Canada according to a story published in The Star today. The brothers hail from a humble refugee family in Nepal are now realising their dreams of become dentist with rare opportunities in Canada.
Khamsum Wangdu and his younger brother Kunsang Namgyal were born and raised in Tibetan refugee camp in Nepal. The brothers achieved the opportunity to study at the University of Kathmandu’s dental school on scholarship. However, they were denied the right to take the final licensing exam owing to their stateless nationality and their dreams to become dentists suddenly broke.
“In 2015, the duo were close to getting their licences in Nepal when they finished their five-and-a-half-year study with scholarships at the University of Kathmandu’s dental school, only to find out they were not allowed to take the Nepalese licensing exam because they were stateless in the country.” the story described the fact of Tibetan brothers representing the dire situation of every Tibetan refugee.
However, the Tibetan brothers later that year, they got visas to resettle in Canada and join their father who was already living in Canada on receiving asylum earlier. According to the story, the brothers wanted to become dentists to help others after their grand father died of an infection following the extraction of his tooth by an unqualified dentist.
“After more than two years of hard work studying for qualifying exams, Khamsum, 27, and Kunsang, 25, have both been admitted to dental programs for the internationally educated dentists in Canada.” added the story which described that Khamsum will start his program at the University of Toronto from January and Kunsang will begin at Dalhousie University in April.
“We feel very proud and happy that they both got accepted into dental school. Each day was a struggle, but they never gave up their dreams and worked hard against all odds. We feel proud seeing their unwavering commitment to education and we can’t wait to see what amazing things they will accomplish in the future.” their mother, Phurbu Lhamo says in the story.