My ICT Journey
Key Achievements in ICT
1. Pioneer in the professional front in initiating the IT industry in Nepal by developing complex software solutions for big organizations like NTC, NEA Water Supply Corporation Jyoti group during early days when resources were scarce.
2. As an educator I was instrumental in starting professional academic programs in Nepal and also
providing valuable input to policy makers of Nepal in ICT sector.
3. I helped IT professionals and IT companies to grow IT industry in Nepal during early period.
4. I have been very successful in launching out ICT program especially making huge impact on youth communities and guardians, elderly citizens through my website, social media and NGO communities.
5. I am working with a professional Non Resident Nepal (NRN ) diaspora to accelerate the implementation of latest ICT projects of Nepal, improve the quality of education, grow and scale up the IT industry locally and globally in order to speed up development of Nepal.
- Mass production of IT professional both from Tribhuvan University, Pokhara University etc and Designco Nepal since 199
- Entrepreneurship development of IT companies
- I was the first one to execute many complex software projects like in , Nepal Telecom, Nepal Electricity Authority, Nepal Water Supply Corporation, Jyoti Group etc, Aeroquip, Germany Jyoti group
- Personal achievement on ICT or Business & Financial Performance (value addition and
performance against the industry)
More than 40 years of professional experiences in ICT sector.
I was educated in Indian Institute of Technology (IIT K.) (B. Tech. Electronic Engineering), India and M.Sc. from De Montfort University, Leicestershire, UK 1995 in Information Technology with specialization in IT Systems Engineering. I also underwent one year of training on ICT communication Systems at Philips, Holland sponsored by UNDP. My service to Nepal is a unique combination of a national-level policy planner, a pioneering educator in Information Technology and Computer Engineering, an industrial administrator, an entrepreneur and a social reformer working for upliftment of women, child-education and youth employment. I pioneered and initiated new educational programs in Nepal in 1994. My efforts to improve technological infrastructure culminated in the first ever Computer Engineering program in the history of Nepal at Institute of Engineering under Tribhuvan University, which became the foundation of current growth in engineering and technology in Nepal. Pioneering Contribution in ICT sector, Considering the political situation and the state of education in 1979, it required significant effort and persuasion of higher administration and ministers to invest in the technological future of Nepal. As a national-level policy planner, I worked for one year as a Member of the ICT Advisory Board under the Prime-minister's office. As an educational policy planner, I served as a member of the Academic Council under University Grant Commission, Nepal (UGC). I also worked as a governing member of the Nepal Engineering Council for three years. I also served for three years as a member of the advisory board member of Rural Telecommunication Fund Board, Nepal Telecommunication Authority (NTA) in initiating ICT policy and policy for ICT infrastructure for government for the first time in the history of Nepal. From 1996-08, I was also in charge of looking after promoting the software industry in the Computer Association of Nepal (CAN) where I worked as an executive board member (1996- 1998). I am currently also serving as an Immediate Past President, IETE (Institute of Electronics and Telecommunication Engineers, India), Nepal chapter promoting ICT. As an educator, I served in the Engineering faculty, Institute of Engineering (IOE) of Tribhuvan University, Nepal, since 1979 until my retirement (2015) first as a professor in the Electronics and Computer Engineering Department; and later as the Assistant Dean when I managed four state- owned and ten affiliated Engineering colleges. I taught Electronic Engineering courses from 1979 till 1997 and Computer Engineering courses in that department from 1998 till 2015 at Institute of Engineering IOE, under Tribhuvan University. I also worked in Pokhara university for four years and was in charge of designing and implementing course-curriculum of BE Software Engineering, Computer Engineering, BCA, BE in Information Technology. I also worked as a Senate member for two years at Pokhara University. I am the owner of a Software company Designco Nepal founded in 1991. That time, well-qualified human resources in the IT area were not available and opening a software company was very challenging due to the lack of resources and the domestic market. I have been successful in developing large pool of professional experts through technically challenging IT projects.
I handled complex software projects of Himal Cement, Nepal Electricity Authority, Nepal Telecom, Nepal Water Sewerage Corporations (NWSC) and KUKL, Jyoti Group including a project from Germany (1996).
I also helped in initiating the strategy of developing the first IT Park in the history of Nepal organizing a series of interactions with prominent leaders and business people including president of FNCCI. I was in Computer Association of Nepal (CAN) as an executive committee member then. We were the founder members of CAN Infotech exhibition. I ventured into leading Nepal in International Software Industry exhibition at Hanover, Germany 1996, 1997 and 1999 in order to initiate high degree courses in IT and help contribute in developing IT industry in Nepal. I was also successful in transforming Electronic Engineering students of Institute of Engineering from 1994 into IT area. and convincing the Education ministry and concerned stakeholders to invest in opening Computer Engineering at IOE and scaling up into encouraging private sector in education sector.
I have been successful in remote ICT Services through publication of many articles in print media and my website www.timilayamithapa.com, Videos etc from www.timilayamithapa.com, Timila Yami Thapa YouTube channel, Timila Yami Thapa LinkedIn and Timila Yami Thapa Face book page. I have been able to make big impact in rural communities through online channels. Many ICT related articles are published in local magazines (Please refer to the articles enclosed in google drive links.
Eight MBA thesis supervisor work with specialization in ICT
I have been invited as an expert in MBA thesis work for several students and I have always encouraged them to complete the thesis through the lens of ICT.
First Women Icon ICT award winner 2022 and National Excellence Woman ICT award winner 2024
First IT company led by woman in the history of Nepal.
During 2020 ICT award session organized in Soaltee Hotel I was given opportunity to speak in front of H’ble Minister of Information and Communication Mr. Gurung, the secretaries, H’ble members of National Planning Commission, , international experts, IT experts, media people etc. In my speech I highlighted on the need of investment on students, startup companies, research by government with the help of public private partnership. I quoted the success stories of regional countries including India. After few days I was called by H’ble minister Gurung seeking advice. The list of advices taken was never executed’
Designco Nepal was established in 1991. Details are provided in www.designconepal.com.np
Pioneer of first academic program in Nepal
Professor H.N. Mahabala, a faculty member at IIT Kanpur from 1965-1973, who along with Professor V. Rajaraman pioneered computer science education in India.. The duo got the M.Tech. program in Computer Science started at IITK. IN India IIT Kanpur had the first mainframe computer. The Department of Computer Science and Engineering at the Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur (IIT Kanpur) was the first department in India to start Computer Science education. It started in August 1963 with an IBM 1620 system - a novelty then, even in many North American and European universities. The department runs BTech, MTech, MS and PhD programs and is engaged in cutting edge research with sponsored projects and consultancies. Many of the nation's leading experts, educationists and consultants in computer science today are the alumni of this department. At IIT K I saw students making trips abroad during vacation times bringing back unique experiences from academic and industrial world, sharing in class rooms and in students' magazines. While I was a student of IIT Kanpur I have closely watched how IT industry was evolving in India.
Institute of Engineering, Pulchowk started electronic engineering in the year 1994 which is already so late in Nepal. I had already been lecturing through computer association also. Regarding strategies of developing IT industry in Nepal. I was in the executive committee too.
In the year 1984 I was sponsored by UNESCO to get trained in chip level software of devices. In the year I was sponsored by UNDP for a year to learn about Software and Telecommunication systems at Philips Holland.
Similarly, while pursuing my higher degree at de Montfort university, leister shire, United Kingdom I too had great opportunity in 1995 specializing in IT.
Book publication: Dharma Heera Memorial Academy, Nepal
Talent and Skills Development
International companies which are leading global providers of information and communications technology (ICT) infrastructure and smart devices should be invited in Nepal. Talented students from Nepal should be chosen for getting chance to participate in international competition programs to learn more about technology, innovation and cross-cultural exchange with international peers organized anywhere in the world. Nepal should invest on such talents. I am also involved in encouraging and training undergraduate ICT students for competing in various international competition.
Nepal has now capable pool of youth who are doing well abroad and venturing into international competitions. I get scared that these youth forces will get disappointed in Nepal leading into depression. In order to avoid such mishaps, it is very important that government, international partners, national development workers including industries, private business houses should all accelerate in transforming their processes by implementing digital models to mitigate risk areas and improve performances in supply chain areas and services to the citizens. Those who don’t adapt technology and transform they will perish. To save from such disaster the stakeholders should invest on innovation and talent generations. Lot of international platform are available in today’s digital world engaging new generations for win win situation. Through this channel I would like to request public and private sector to improve processes which in turn will accelerate digital transformation and stay aligned with international development which in turn will give chances for youth talents to emerge as competent work for the nation and global requirements.
I have been presenting my presentations in various technical forums in which I have been requesting all the concerning stakeholders for implementing IT audit system and cyber security policies and acts everywhere in order to save money and improve efficiencies.
A good ecosystem is required for total digital transformation so that we can fully reap the benefit from exploitation from technology. Accelerating 17 goals of Sustainable Development Goal (SDGs) of United Nation which will help in acceleration of digital world. Women workforce should be developed and empower to speed up the processes. Women from rural areas need to be empowered to lead in fintech area and human capital development. They are the force who can help expand the information infrastructure for rapid expansion of 5g network.
Development partners like United Nation, international financial institutions like World Bank, Asian Development Bank etc are now focusing in rural development. The youth talents have lots of responsibilities. If they don’t contribute now the future generation will be in darkness. To save from such disaster everybody from all the sectors have to be responsible.
My blog article from ICT sector have good volume of viewers. I have taught these materials to many people specially women representatives from rural areas. You tube and Facebook page are helping me reach out to rural mass.
I was the one who initiated academic program in IT sector
I was the first person to present report about IT industry in Nepal sponsored by APO Japan
I was first person to present about technical capability of Nepal in International exhibition at Hannover Germany in ’96. ‘97 and ‘99
I was the first one to become technical expert services in ICT sector in RTDF (Rural Telecom development Fund Board) under NTA, Ministry of Information and Communication Nepal year:
Great mentor
Started IT industry, academic development and policy maker
My digital marketing program has impacted youth and greater of coverage of senior citizens. My digital marketing program has impacted youth and greater of coverage of senior citizens. Deep research was done teaching senior citizen concept of Data Science and digital tools for capturing historical evidences and story creations.
“Nepal has got ICT talents” movement has worked
Public Exposer and Global Reach (Width and depth in the global market through
publication, journal, presentation, awards and leaderships)
My involvement in CeBIT, Hannover Germany, ‘96, ‘97 and ‘99 and High-Tech center, Yokohama, Japan, international program in Vietnam, Philips Holland has contributed in boosting IT industry in Nepal. My academic program of the leader of Computer science, IIT Kanpur, De Montfort University, Leicestershire, UK and Philips Holland have greatly benefitted Nepal in developing IT industry.
My program on "We have talents' ' in Nepal has worked well through various international programs. I am connected internationally to new start-up youth schemes. My expert service at multinational giant organization like Huawei is helping grow ICT talents in the international and local market. As a member of Senior Professional Engineers, CIDC, India, I have contributed in bringing benefits to professional development of Engineers of Nepal. I have served as Senior Professional Engineers, CIDC India, Research Associate IIT Kanpur, High Tech Centre, Yoko Hama, Japan, South Korea, UNIDO. My effort at CBI Netherlands in the years ‘ 96, ‘97 and ’99 and Philips Holland has given me a rich background for developing programs on IT industries, innovation and talent generations in Nepal. I have also shared my experiences with policy makers of ministries from High Tech Centre, Yokohama, Japan. My contributions from APO, Japan and South Korea under UNIDO have impacted the IT industry in Nepal. Presentations in CBI Netherlands ‘ 96, ‘97 and ’99 had opened up new horizons in Nepal for the first time. I have made impact through large numbers of ICT related articles published in various media, magazines, YouTube channels, TV interviews, Blog site articles, and articles in LinkedIn. These medias are helping me reach out to policy makers, the rural ends of Nepal and abroad. My ICT related articles have benefited policymakers, researchers and Digital Framework Nepal implementers. My ICT related technical presentations at Vietnam, Japan, India, South Korea etc have benefited concerned stakeholders locally and globally. https://www.timilayamithapa.com/blog-category/4 My technical presentation at national and international level IAS Bangalore, IIT Kanpur has contributed bringing in regional and international experiences.
I worked for three years in a research project at IIT Kanpur on simulation project 1976 to 1979.
In the year 1980 I led the software technical team in the power System Planning Group of Canadian Water and Power Resources development Project, Canadian International Water and Energy Consultants in Kathmandu Nepal. In 1981 I initiated new innovative a software project at Nepal Rastra Bank. The hardware was supplied through Bhaju Ratna Engineering and sales. The work was very challenging as clients were not familiar with automation then. These programs helped me in providing policy decisions in the ministries.
I have executed very complex software solutions for large scale organizations like Nepal Telecom, Nepal Electricity authority, Nepal Water supply Corporations Himal cement etc under a very scarce resources challenging environment. Product details are provided in my CV and company profile of my IT company (1991 till date) along with a list of certificates from clients are enclosed.
I have also enclosed the letters from the ministry regarding my active involvement in the development of the IT industry in Nepal. I have made an impact in the policy decision places through my published articles and presentations. I had done elaborate studies of ten top industries of Nepal in 1999 for submitting in Ministry of Industry and presenting in an international program which was later published in international proceedings of Asian Productivity Organization (APO) Japan 1998 details of which are provided in list of documents in google drive for reference.
This document provided good guidelines for the Nepal government through the lenses of policies of
private sectors for ICT policy interventions in 1998.
I also worked on a software project for Aeroquip, Germany in 1996. I have contributed for three years in the Rural Telecom Fund Board (RTDF) of Nepal Telecom Authority (NTA) in the preparation of policy documents of ICT for urban as well as remote locations of Nepal for the first time in the history of Nepal. I have also worked in IT council under the leadership of the PM of Nepal.
Impact of my contributions:
Online and offline published materials of mine have made impact on both national and international level receiving lots of feedback which has helped me in invitation of participation like UNIDO sponsored program in South Korea, AOTs, Japan, CIDC India etc.
I have been advocating for growth of ICT talents and training them for international competition in mass scale.
Mass scale talent generations internationally also
My digital marketing program has impacted youth and greater of coverage of senior citizens
Led programs through DHMA, WARN, IETE, Member Mahila Sahayogi Credit & Saving Co-operative Ltd.
- Jestha Nagarik NGO, IETE
- Led in Media front by owning Magazine called ATHMARCH
- Many articles in my blogsite www.timilayamithapa.com
- My articles published in various media, YouTube channels, TV interviews, Blog site , LinkedIn articles and helping me interact with international experts and national stakeholders
- My digital marketing program has impacted youth and greater of coverage of senior citizens. My digital marketing program has impacted youth and greater of coverage of senior citizens. Deep research was done teaching senior citizen concept of Data Science and digital tools for capturing historical evidences and story creations.
- Knowledge Integration (Excellence in product, process innovation, policy contribution)
I worked for three years in a research project at IIT Kanpur on simulation project 1976 to 1979. In the year 1980 I led the software technical team in the power System Planning Group of Canadian Water and Power Resources development Project, Canadian International Water and Energy Consultants in Kathmandu Nepal. In 1981 I initiated a software project at Nepal Rastra Bank. The hardware was supplied through Bhaju Ratna Engineering and sales. The work was very challenging as clients were not familiar with automation then.
Very complex new innovating software solutions for large scale organizations like Nepal Telecom, Nepal Electricity authority, Nepal Water supply Corporations Himal cement etc under a very scarce resources environment. Product details are provided in my CV and company profile of my IT company (1991 till date) along with a list of certificates from clients and enclosed. These documents highlight the most challenging complex large scale products developed for big organizations of Nepal since 1991. I have provided contributions in IT industry through policy interventions after my rich exposure to participation in CeBIT , Hannover Germany ‘ 96, ‘97 and ‘99, expert services at international Huawei company, China in generating ICT talents, Services as Senior Professional Engineers, CIDC India, Research Associate IIT Kanpur, High Tech Centre, Yoko Hama, Japan, presentation South Korea, UNIDO, presentations in CBI Netherlands ‘ 96, ‘97 and ‘99, High level ICT program Philips Holland 1985-1986, Presentation at national and international level IAS Bangalore, IIT Kanpur etc.
- My articles published in various media, YouTube channels, TV interviews, Blog site , LinkedIn articles and helping me interact with international experts and national stakeholders https://www.timilayamithapa.com/blog-category/4
- Online media like Paribartan Bhattrai, Abhishekh
I am advocating on need of IT audit section and cyber security, affordable education and affordable infrastructure for rural ends
I have always been engaging youth force in this sector. Encouraging them to draw out strategies in order to guide government. A serious input from professional lawyers is required to implement professionally developed legal framework and act. By now we have rich collection of learning experiences of the past in this sector however we have poor way of maintaining intuitional memory and poor implementation. We also lack in research backed by unregulated data policy.
This requires engaging larger interest groups of stakeholders like international development partners, FNCCI, Chamber of Commerce, consortium of business houses, academia researchers, planners, and government authorities, NGOs and INGOs.
Forming well functional ECO system. A joint functional consortium of ICT awareness is needed to accelerate this industry improving the policies, act and regulatory framework. They should work in alliance with strategic partners. This speech I have broadcasted through YouTube channel, Facebook, emails and other social media and the feedback has really motivated me to work really passionately.
- Initiatives to create capacity for future growth & ICT ecosystem
I am actively involved in organizing awareness programs through seminars and my published articles including Online articles focusing on Strategic Planning of Transformation, Mastering Digital Transformation (Innovation, Technology, and Education for Growth) under AI environment in Nepal engaging all concerned stakeholders of Nepal. During my trip to Switzerland, Austria, Germany and UK in the year 2023 I have interacted with Nepalese professional and international experts abroad for bringing benefits in ICT areas. I am also engaged in Digital Nepal Framework 2019 through various events. I have published many articles and blog site articles in order to implement such program and encouraged stakeholders to support government-initiated ICT programs to reach out to the rural areas of Nepal.
I am engaged in IT literacy and digital skill, cyber security and cybercrimes, MBA program (online ) in Pokhara University. My published articles cover developing robust legal and regulatory frameworks for data protection and cybersecurity, establishing the Internet as an essential service, improving broadband network availability for new technology, government facilitation for subsidized international bandwidth, adopting next-generation advanced technologies, ensuring high-speed Internet connectivity.
More details in
https://www.google.com/search?client=opera&q=timila+yami+thapa&sourceid=opera&ie=UTF-
8&oe=UTF-8#ip=1
Many ICT related articles in local magazines (Please refer to the articles enclosed in google drive)
There are many ICT related articles for policy makers in my website
https://www.timilayamithapa.com
Initiatives to create capacity for future growth & ICT ecosystem I am actively involved in organizing awareness programs through seminars and my published articles including Online articles focusing on Strategic Planning of Transformation, Mastering Digital Transformation (Innovation, Technology, and Education for Growth) under AI environment in Nepal engaging all concerned stakeholders of Nepal. During my trip to Switzerland, Austria, Germany and UK in the year 2023 I have interacted with Nepalese professional and international experts abroad for bringing benefits in ICT areas.
I am engaged in IT literacy and digital skill, cyber security and cybercrimes, MBA program (online ) in Pokhara University. My published articles cover developing robust legal and regulatory frameworks for data protection and cybersecurity, establishing the Internet as an essential service, improving broadband network availability for new technology, government facilitation for subsidized international bandwidth, adopting next-generation advanced technologies, ensuring high-speed Internet connectivity.
Last year I chaired the technical session in the IT sector in an international conference organized by NRNs from 59 countries in the Soaltee. I am actively engaged with NRN professionals for making an impact nationally and globally.
I led workshops in the area of Creative storytelling and filmmaking.
More details are available in the following link :
https://www.timilayamithapa.com/blogs/view/146.html
Senior Engineering community of Nepal had arranged a two hour interview (Engineer KO Katha )
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xk1CtzqtQgQ&t=829s ) of mine. The community who interacted in comment box in this interview are already launching activities with people of rural communities, communities in urban areas and global communities.
- Social Responsibility (Successful institutionalization of social responsibility practices and
involvement in ICT related organization)
As a social reformer, I have been actively involved in the social work in child education and women’s empowerment including inclusion issues of ministries for disadvantaged communities by organizing many activities through NGOs. I founded Dharma Heera Memorial Academy (DHMA) in 2011 and have been working as Chairperson to promote ICT, child education, empowerment programs for minority groups, especially women, skill development of youth and services for and child education in Nepal. I am also engaged in other organizations with the major motto of promoting ICTs extensively for empowerment. I worked as Chairperson of Women Agency Research Nepal (WARN)(2019- 2022 currently working as an advisor), Life member of Women In IT(WIIT), Executive member of Jestha Pradhyapak Samaj Nepal promoting ICT, Executive Member of Senior Citizens Samaj, Bhurunghkhel promoting ICT among elderly citizens, Nepal, Member of Senior Professional Engineer, CIDC, India. Life member of Management Association Nepal (MAN) presented papers on ICT related gender based policy, Nepal Engineer Association
(NEA: Advisor in Women’s committee promoting ICT sector), Life member of HEADS Nepal, Life Member of Women in Science and Technology (WIST )promoting ICT sector, Member of Women chapter of Nepal Chamber of Commerce giving them awareness program in ICT, Member of AOTs Japan, Service chair of Rotary club of Mount Everest in charge of promoting ICT sector also, Member of Lalitpur Cultural Centre (LCC). Computer Association Nepal (CAN: Past executive member) Life member of Management Association Nepal (MAN), IETE(Immediate Past President), active in various CSR programs under my company Designco Nepal. Googling Timila Yami Thapa highlights all my ongoing activities in Nepal and abroad.
List of related associations
I have been mentoring coaching the members of following associations:
Ex- executive member in charge of Software Industry, Computer Association Nepal
Life member, Nepal Engineer Association
Life member of Heads Nepal
Senior Professional Engineer, CIDC, India
Chairperson, Dharma Heera Memorial Academy
Chairperson, Women Agency Research Nepal (WARN)
Ex Chairperson IETE , Nepal
Executive member, TU retired Professors society
Executive member, Nepal Jestha Nagarik Samaj, Bhurunghkhel Nepal
Member, AOTS
Asian Productivity Organization, Japan
Member, Mahila Sahayogi Credit & Saving Co-operative Ltd.
Member, Women in Science and Technology
Life member, Management Association Nepal (MAN)
Life member, Human Right Nepal
Member Lalitpur Culture Centre
Executive member, Senior Professor Society Nepal
Life Member, Women in Science and Technology (WIST)
Member, Nepal Women Chamber (NWC) , Nepal chamber of commerce
Member, AOTS Japan
Service chair, Mount Everest Rotary club
I led this workshop in the area of Creative storytelling and film making details are given in my Facebook page. There were 25 participants and all 17 members of the club. Details on animation tools were discussed including method of ICT tools and methodologies of film making was used.
Rotary club has 135 clubs and 200 Retract clubs. encouraging them to make their social platform and websites functional and exploit technology to strategically align goals and result oriented to make greater impact on the society.
I have provided programs to students and teachers on Robotics and Cyber Security at Rudrani School at Khokana, Kathmandu.
Visual tools, film making tools (Daughter of Nepal, The Sick City) trainings are also provided.
I have taught my published materials and online materials published materials and online materials to the members of the above list of societies. Published articles. Being ex - advisory board member of RTDF fund board under Ministry of Information and communication I am spreading Digital framework Nepal program in mass scale. Being ex - advisory board member of RTDF fund board under Ministry of Information and communication. I am spreading Digital framework Nepal program in mass scale. I am actively promoting STEM program specially on mathematics in schools to prepare them for new digital world. I have taught my published materials to many people specially women representatives from rural areas. You tube and Facebook page are helping me reach out to rural mass. I led the interaction group from Nepal during seminar session. Being ex - advisory board member of RTDF fund board under Ministry of Information and communication. I am spreading Digital framework Nepal program in mass scale. I am actively promoting STEM program specially on mathematics in schools to prepare them for new digital world.
Member, CIDC India
Senior Professional member of CIDC
Participated in international conference on Green Hydrogen Energy. Working in integrated policy on agriculture and energy sectors.
FNCCI
I have delivered program in the area of ICT as strategic tools for development of Industries.
- Why should I get this Award?
I am educating and professionally engaged with public mass(both local, regional and international) on ICT through following channels brining benefit the society:
Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/PROFtimilayami?mibextid=LQQJ4d
Website: www.timilayamithapa.com
YouTube channel : Timila Yami Thapa
LinkedIn: Timila Yami Thapa
YouTube Channel : Timila Yami Thapa
My blog article from ICT sector have good volume of viewers. I have taught these materials to many people specially women representatives from rural areas. You tube and Facebook page are helping me reach out to rural mass. I have been well connected with rural mass through comment boxes, Fb messenger boxes, WhatsApp, Viber etc which is helping government in educating rural mass and expanding rural network. I am also engaged in Digital Nepal Framework 2019 through various events. I have published many articles and blog site articles in order to help policy makers implement such program and encouraged stakeholders to support government initiated such ICT programs to reach out to the rural areas of Nepal. My engagement with INGOs and NGOs is helping me achieve my goals which are very much aligned with 16th five-year plan and 17 sustainable development goals of United nation.
Last year I chaired the technical session in the IT sector in an international conference organized by NRNs from 59 countries in the Soaltee. I am actively engaged with NRN professionals for making an impact nationally and globally. I have made impact on this too. The Nepalese diasporas can make a significant contribution to the country’s foreign exchange reserves. Non-resident Nepalese (NRNs) are actively coming forward a as key players in the economic development of Nepal. The alumni of my institute IIT Kanpur have demonstrated successful outcome in brining revenue inside India. I can bring experiences from them too. I am also making impact on bringing together all concerned stakeholders for collective actions for accelerating progress in this AI era. I had chaired the panel session of "FUTURE IT AND DIGITAL TECHNOLOGY" in Global Knowledge Convention 2023 organized by e Non-Resident Nepali Association (NRNA) Kathmandu, Nepal, October 2023. This helped me network will all concerned stakeholders I am actively getting connected with local and professionals abroad in ICT sector.
I am also engaged in promoting alternate energy sources. I attended an international conference in New Delhi on Green Hydrogen Energy and am engaged in pursuing an integrated Agriculture and Energy policy for cheaper alternative energy which will help in rolling out a plethora of AI projects in Nepal bringing opportunities to the IT industries in Nepal.
I visited UK, Germany, Switzerland, India and Austria in June and July 2023 and had an opportunity to understand the very dynamic requirement of IT industry opportunities under the new exponential growth of Generative AI era worldwide, I had opportunities to meet international experts and Professional Nepalese experts working in the IT field in those countries. Last year I chaired the ICT conference organized by Nepalese NRNs from 59 countries in Soaltee hotel. I am closely working with this community to promote IT industry abroad and in Nepal. I am promoting the issue on “creating Institutions of National importance” for bringing out policy for quality education in Nepal. I was responsible in initiating an academic program in IT sector in the history of Nepal in order to face global as well as local opportunities and challenges. I was the first person to present report for the first time to government about IT industry in Nepal regarding the status of digitization of industries among all the stakeholders of Nepal and develop strategies for IT development during the mid-1990s.
I was the first person in the history of Nepal to present about the technical capability of Nepal in CBI, Rotterdam, Netherlands and in an International exhibition at Hannover Germany in the years 1996, 1997 and 1999. I was the first technical expert to provide advisory services in ICT sector in RTDF (Rural Telecom development Fund Board) under NTA, Ministry of Information and Communication Nepal. I was the first one to execute complex software projects NTC , NEA (ADB fund), NWSC (French Grant), Himal Cement ( German grant etc ). I am one of the very early entrepreneurs generating IT professionals through software company opened in the year 1991.
www.designconepal.com.np
I have also contributed while working in IT council under PM’s office in policy interventions. I am connected with all highly competent successful batchmates of IIT Kanpur. I was also instrumental in working out BE, ME and PhD program in collaboration with IIT Kanpur and IIT Delhi at IOE, Polchowk, Tribhuvan University. My “Nepal has got ICT talents” movement has made impact among on youth communities in winning in international competitions. My advocacy on digital acceleration program, digital marketing program, acceleration of 17 Sustainable Development Goals of the United nation has impacted and benefitted many stakeholders including youth communities and citizens. I am also actively working on encouraging senior citizens to understand the concept of Data Science and generating digital tools for capturing historical value generating evidences and story creations for benefitting future generations.
I am also working on launching awareness program national project on” Digital framework Nepal” to the members various NGOs and INGOs under the new wave of generative AI era. This requires engaging larger interest groups of stakeholders like international development partners, FNCCI, Chamber of Commerce, consortium of business houses, academia researchers, planners, and government authorities, NGOs and INGOs.
For functional ecosystem, involvement of ICT awardees communities is also needed to accelerate IT industry by improving the policies, legal act and regulatory framework. They should also encourage concerned stakeholders to work in alliance with strategic partners. I am regularly writing, delivering speeches in front of policy makers am slo active through YouTube channel, Facebook pages, TV and FM interview channels etc advocating the critical issues on ICT. The feedback I am receiving from public is very encouraging. Engaging larger interest groups of stakeholders like international development partners, FNCCI, Chamber of Commerce, consortium of business houses, academia researchers, planners, and government authorities, NGOs and INGOs making all these institutions functional is the area I always focused on for forming a well functional ecosystem.
There is urgent need to improve the quality of education also. I had played key role in bringing professors of IITs for upgrading Institute of Engineering into Masters and Ph D degree programs. I would like to mobilize the Nepalese IITians to start strength sharing with PAN IIT Alumni of India. initiative. We can be key player on Nation Re-Building, together showcase and solicit involvement of society, government and industry on systemic response. We can be in
conversation with eminent policymakers, industry captains and third sector leaders. In the era of AI aggressive actions are necessary I can play key role in this new era. Getting this award will certainly help me accelerate above functions and promotion of goals of Nepal and UN sustainable goals on ICT agendas.
My effort at the ministries
I had deep passion in understanding IT policy both India and United Kingdom. These exposures helped me develop deep passion in developing IT industry in Nepal. Through this broader perspective I realized the need of Nepal advocating IT industry at top priority backed by adequate investment in the government structure. The pace of development remained slow due to lack of initiative from the government.
The Education Ministry should bring out a policy of introducing a new model for bringing impact on advanced ICT education including implementing ICT literacy programs for rural communities and underprivileged citizens. Rural transformation is a big global project in the world scenario for meeting the need of ambitious digital transformation worldwide. Around 50% of the developing world’s population (Nepal: 80%; India:66%; China: 40%) is living in the rural sector, mostly in agrarian sectors with lack of incentive and facilities for modern education systems. A large percentage of them are impoverished and do not have access to the latest technology and digital transformation revolutionizing the urban world because of the availability of information. This is becoming a situation of digital divide between the rural sector and urban sector.
Public-private partnership is required to incorporate special stakeholders to increase ICT infrastructure and generating skilled human resources including enhancing ICT infrastructures. Promotion of e-Commerce and social advertising and marketing to attain global markets and developing superior applications to prepare IT employees for cloud offerings, cybersecurity, and large facts have become essential.
Nepal was slow in introducing Electronics Engineering curriculum compared to our neighboring countries such as India and China. Premier institutions and multiple campuses under Tribhuvan University only started Electronic Engineering discipline as late as the year 1994 because of the lack of availability of resources and suppression of Education during Rana’s regime. Computer Engineering was started in 1998 at Institute of Engineering (IOE), Pulchowk Campus. I played a key role in designing curriculum in the IT field of both Tribhuvan University and Pokhara University in the early starting phases. Unfortunately, commercialization of the Internet and information technology in the world coincided with the introduction of Electronics Engineering in Nepal. Because of the huge job market created by the Internet Commerce around the world, large numbers of IOE graduates of Electronic Engineering were sucked into Information Technology because of higher remuneration and better opportunities in foreign industry.
In anticipation of the coming wave of Information Technology, I started my software company in the year 1991. With the wave of Internet Commerce, I was successful in generating good employment through my software company within Nepal. I also attracted many rural talents in my company. Along with my academic contributions, I also blended my IT industry experiences, having executed successfully many software projects both in public sectors and industry in Nepal. I could take those experiences into the academic sector in earlier days because of my involvement in the academic sector.
Pioneer of initiating IT industry in Nepal
All the concerned stakeholders including academia, researchers, industry partners should collectively put pressure on government and have serious dialogue with concerned ministries. I also talked couple of times with the H’ble minister Rajendra Shrestha, minster of Federation Affair and General Administration. Similarly I have also spoken to H’ble minister of Education, Devendra Paudyel and deputy minster H’ble madam Goma who is in charge of Science and Technology and briefed them about the potential of IT industry and resource constraints. However, I have not seen serious initiatives.
I was pressurizing the university of initiating the faculty for IT programs and the government authorities for adequate investment.
I approached Bhola Nath Chalise for initiating this industry. The government officials were totally unknown about emerging IT industry. I was very fortunate to have Mr Padma Jyoti who was the president of FNCCI then in 1996. He was also an alumni of our institute IIT Kanpur and he too was aware of this development. I was so desperate to convince the ministry and didn’t find any one making effort to understand this industry. Mr. Chiranjeevi Nepal was appointed to initiate this department who had only economics back ground Having Padma Jyoti was a blessing for me who made my interaction in ministry more communicative, 1n 1996 a team led by Mr Van Houtan of CBI Netherlands arrived in Nepal the government and this team started searching for expert in this area for international technical competency presence in Netherlands and international fair in CeBIT Hannover Germany.
My article on the status of IT industry in industries and the policy was published in international journal Asian Productivity Organization (APO), Japan which helped ministry to initiate this area. The team from Netherlands were surprised not to find any faculty in IT sector in universities in Nepal except me. This investigation made them focus on me. I was an executive member in Computer Association Nepal (CAN) and I delivered several speeches in the audience consisting of all concerned stakeholders,
I was selected for international meet at Hannover Germany and Netherlands. I took all the financial risk going to that event in 1996 and 1997. In spite of lot of constraints and financial difficulties I went through this journey and this pain very few people could understand in Nepal. The whole venture was exciting for the students too. I encouraged the new graduates from Electronics department of IOE to go for IT sector for the further studies abroad. They are doing very well abroad in this field. Initiating faculty in IT fields was very difficult without qualified faculty and resources and funding. I had to take initiative in spite of all these difficulties. Later in years Pokhara university hired me and made me in charge of curriculum development in Software Engineering, Bachelor in Computer Applications (BCA), Computer Engineering and IT Engineering for four years. During those days I had to go around convincing the parents to enroll their siblings in this field. The parents were not aware of this emerging field and the potentials.
In 1999 National planning commission the Vice Chancellor, Dr. Shankar Sharma issued a letter for attending CeBIT 1999 international exhibition. I attended and gave a report to Ministry of Science and Technology. Today I am so happy Nepal has pool of academic institutions in this field, researchers and academicians.
More details
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=upkBI2jV3gk
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rOYY0v0hJBc
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y2WnqdW0Gkw
More valuable coments in following interview
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xk1CtzqtQgQ&t=878s