On July 29, 2023, a remarkable exhibition and career fair centred on information technology and entrepreneurship took place at the Nepal College of Information Technology in Balkumari, Lalitpur. The event was inaugurated by Prof. Dr. Deepak Bahadur Bhandari, the Registrar of Pokhara University. The opening program was attended by college directors Bijuli Prasad Rana and Krishna Chandra Poudel, along with heads of various departments.
Er. Birendra Bista, the Event Coordinator and Head of the Software Department, enthusiastically shared his thoughts about the exhibition, stating, "The exhibition include 52 technology-related research projects completed by final semester Bachelor of Engineering students, showcasing their technical expertise and innovative ideas.” He also mentioned another exciting highlight of the event – the display of 37 startup business models developed by successful entrepreneurial students.
In addition to student projects and startups, the exhibition displayed innovative ideas from representative companies within Nepal's information technology market. The Cloud Factory, Jobsnipper, Nepal Open-Source Club, Verisk Information Technology, Logpoint, and several other prominent companies set up their stalls at the exhibition and actively engaged with the visitors and students. The event provided a valuable platform for these companies to showcase their products and services, as well as to interact directly with potential customers and talented students.
Er. Madan Kadariya, Head of the IT Department, stated that the exhibition is open to all organizations and members of the public who are eager to witness the innovative displays. He added, "The visit and interaction with a diverse audience are adding energy and excitement to our students."
During his address after the opening ceremony, Prof. Dr. Deepak Bahadur Bhandari expressed his appreciation for the blend of information technology and entrepreneurship at the exhibition. He commended the students for their groundbreaking and inspiring projects, noting that such a program was unprecedented among colleges in Nepal. The Registrar emphasized the importance of incorporating technopreneurship courses in university curricula to promote entrepreneurship and practical applications of theoretical knowledge.
Ayush Raj Regmi and Thomas Basyal, students of the Virtual Fitness Coach Project, explained their project and said, "We have tried to redefine the daily life of people by using computer technology in the field of fitness coaches.” The creators aspired to turn their concept into a leading business in the exercise industry with the title “VyayamGuru”.
Other projects that captured the attention of attendees included "Aama Sansar," "Sano Lagani," "E-Swasthya," "Home Automation," "Stock Vision," "CleanGov," "P2P Lending App," “Censoredzz” and "Kinam Online Shopping." Each project brought its unique contribution to various sectors, indicating the wide-ranging impact of technology and entrepreneurship.
In addition to the projects, the exhibition also featured innovative startup ideas like "JoshiHerbs," "Safa Sahar," "Schoole," and "Hamro Mechanics." These ideas aimed to attract potential venture capitalists and angel investors willing to invest in promising entrepreneurial ventures.
Samundra Paudel, the focal person for the Advanced Technopreneurship Course supported by University Grants Commission (UGC), stressed the importance of prioritizing entrepreneurship in educational courses, emphasizing that nurturing an entrepreneurial mindset is crucial for the country's growth and development. Proudly sharing the program's achievements, he added, "Among the 18 campuses supported by UGC nationwide, NCIT stands as the first to complete the program, nurturing a new generation of promising entrepreneurs." Mr. Paudel expressed his eagerness to witness every student at NCIT embrace entrepreneurship and contribute to the nation's growth.
Oscar Giri, an exhibitor who presented the startup "E-Sawari" under the Advanced Technopreneurship Course, expressed his newfound passion for entrepreneurship. He said, "The program had ignited my desire to contribute to Nepal's environment by working with electric vehicles." Oscar further added that that his team had initiated the registration process of the company to operate a ride-sharing service, reflecting the tangible outcomes of the technopreneurship course.
During the closing session of the exhibition, the organizers took the opportunity to recognize and appreciate the hard work and creativity of the participants. Certificates, awards, and tokens of love were presented to the best projects, volunteers, jury members, and distinguished professionals from Nepal's IT industry.
A project titled “Speed Detection and Number Plate Recognition using Image Processing” with team members Neha Shrestha, Puja Pathak, Rubi Khatri, and Sufi Dhungel received two prestigious honors – the Innovative Project Award and the People’s Choice Award. Their innovative approach and technical prowess impressed both the judges and the attendees, earning them the top spot in the competition.
Another exceptional project that stood out was “Censoredzz - swear word censor” by Kuber Budhathoki, Amardeep Khatri, Sahil Maharjan, Adesh Bhattarai, and Saurab Neupane. This creative endeavor secured the second place in the innovative project category, highlighting the team's dedication and originality.
Moreover, Bimal Raj Gyawali, Dikshant Shah, Narendra Bahadur Chand, and Ramesh Baral were awarded the third place for their remarkable P2PLENDING App project. Their work demonstrated the potential for technology to address practical problems and provide solutions for lending.
The event at NCIT not only showcased the potential of young minds but also highlighted the significance of integrating technology and entrepreneurship to drive innovation and growth in Nepal's evolving landscape.
