My brief ICT journey

Prof. Timila Yami Thapa

Experience: Combination of policy makers , innovator, entrepreneur, and social activist

More than 40 years in ICT

Professor Timila Yami Thapa was educated in Indian Institute of Technology ( B. Tech. Electronic Engineering( 1975 batch), Kanpur, India and M.Sc. from De Montfort University, Leicestershire, UK 1995 in Information Technology with specialization in Systems Engineering. She also underwent one year of training on Systems and Communication Infrastructure at Philips, Holland sponsored by UNDP. Her 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. She pioneered and initiated new educational programs in Nepal. Her 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

Story

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 and the Research Council under University Grant Commission, Nepal. 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). 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. I have also contributed in policy level decision on formulating strategies for IT park.

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 designing course-curriculum of BE Software Engineering, Computer Engineering, BCA, BE in Information Technology. I also served as a senate member at Pokhara University. I also worked as a Senate member for two years at Pokhara University.

I handled complex software projects of Canadian project, Aeroequip cpmany, Germany project, Himal Cement, Nepal Electricity Authority, Nepal Telecom, Nepal Water Sewerage Corporations(NWSC) and KUKL, Jyoti Group, etc.

After I returned from India to Nepal in 1979 I started initiating activities with Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce Industry ( FNCCI), Ministry and Education Ministry making the concerned authorities aware of the emerging global scope of the IT industry based on my experiences in India. I also initiated the dialogue and awareness program on IT Park in the history of Nepal organizing a series of interactions with prominent leaders and business people including president of FNCCI. I was a CAN executive committee member then. The ministry was looking for experts to represent in international forums. Computer Association Nepal was the only association who could lead then, however the people in the leadership position of the association had no background to read software industry with sound technical background. The concerned authorities in the decision making structure in the government had no idea of this emerging field and had no resources.

CAN Infotech exhibition was also inititated that also provided more exposure along with the further exposure in the International Software Industry exhibition at Hanover Germany 1996, 1997 and 1999 and I contributed in formulating IT policy and initiating the concept of IT park. I also convinced the Education ministry and concerned stakeholders to invest in opening Computer Engineering at IOE and expand the volume of intake of graduates with the help of private sectors.

As a social reformer, I have been actively involved in the social work in child education and women’s empowerment by organizing many activities and participating in many organizations. I founded DHMA in 2011 and currently work 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 (2019- 2022), Life member of WIIT, Executive member of Professor’s Association, Executive Member, Senior Citizens Samaj, Nepal. Member Senior Professional Engineer, CIDC, India. Life member of MAN, NEA, WIST and Heads Nepal. Member Nepal Women Chamber of Commerce, AOTs Japan, Mount Everest Rotary club, LCC.

I am also the owner of magazine ATHMARCH to reach out to the rural masses specially focusing on Women empowerment in the areas of women friendly service sectors and developing startup companies. My published matters and articles in my blog site and linkedIn focuses on ICT for the development sector. The YouTube, Twitter and Instagram and Facebook page is heping me reach out to the urban and rural masses in Nepal and abroad. I care deeply about giving voice, tools to everyone to share and bringing the community together to engage them in the development of the nation. I care a lot in bringing change in the lives of people. Equal opportunity is just the slogan of the politicians . more than four billion of the people have no internet so hoping to give equal opportunity is difficult. I have a passion for empowering women and helping people to get connected.

Key Achievements in ICT

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.
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.
I helped IT professionals and IT companies to grow IT industry in Nepal during early period.
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.
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.

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 cources 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 serctor 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.

Please visit my Facebook page

https://www.facebook.com/PROFtimilayami?mibextid=LQQJ4d

YouTube channel : Timila Yami Thapa

LinkedIN: Timila Yami Thapa

YouTube Channel : Timila Yami Thapa

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 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.

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.

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.

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 lscale 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.

Initiatives to create capacity for future growth & ICT ecosystem

I am actively involved in organizing awareness programs through 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 interanational 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.

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 also attended an international conference in New Delhi on green hydrogen energy and am engaged in pursuing an integrated Agriculture and Energy policyfor cheaper alternative energy which will help in rolling out a plethora of AI projects in Nepal bringing opportunities to the IT industries.

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

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.

Why should I get this Award?

I visited UK, Germany, Switzerland, India and Austria in June and July 2023 and had an opportunities 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, envolvement of ICT awardees communities is also needed to accelerate IT industry by improving the policies, legal act and regulatory framework. They should also encourage concernd 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. 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 experieces from them too. I am also making impact on bringing together all concernd stakeholders for collective actions for accelerating progress in this AI era.

There is urgent need to improve the quality of education also. I had plaed 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.

More details

https://youtu.be/xk1CtzqtQgQ?si=CQvY4HBQVUOikh3U

https://www.facebook.com/PROFtimilayami?mibextid=LQQJ4d

YouTube channel : Timila Yami Thapa

LinkedIN: Timila Yami Thapa

YouTube Channel : Timila Yami Thapa

Getting this award will certainly help me accelerate above functions and promotion of goals of Nepal and UN sustainable goals on ICT agendas.