Monba pioneer pays back her people on plateau

Some people regard working in a remote village as a hardship that they hope finishes as soon as possible. But Luo Hongying sees it as an opportunity to devote her efforts to helping her people in the Tibet autonomous region.

"Having a thankful heart is the secret of my happiness, whenever and whatever I do," said Luo, an associate professor at the regional agriculture and animal husbandry college in Nyingchi city.

The 49-year-old said setbacks and discontent are inevitable in life, but being thankful for what you have can generate a positive energy. "I also have unpleasant moments and distress like other people, but I am grateful that I can breathe the fresh air and enjoy the sunshine on the plateau, which people may not have in other places," Luo said.

A member of the Monba ethnic group, Luo has also worked as a government official in the remote Kibu village, Tsawarong township, in Zayul county, since August.

But Luo has another string to her bow.

After studying water conservation and hydropower, she is expected to graduate with her doctorate from Wuhan University, Hubei province, later this year.

If she gains her PhD, she will become the first Monba to achieve the academic goal. It would also mean that people from 54 of China's 56 ethnic groups have gained a doctorate.

The Monba are one of the smallest ethnic groups in China numbering just 10,000 people, according to the sixth national census in 2010.

They mainly live in the southeastern part of Tibet. More than 77 percent of the Monba population was illiterate in the 1990s, according to a report by Wuhan-based Changjiang Daily.

"Obtaining a doctoral degree is important not only to me, but also to the whole ethnic group," Luo said.