United Academy Nepal, a leading college in Lalitpur and Kathmandu, partnered with the Robotics Association of Nepal (RAN Nepal) to host a historic event on 27th Magh 2079. United Academy is a well-known educational institution in Nepal that offers affordable education options. It has consistently been ranked among the top colleges in the cities of Lalitpur and Kathmandu and is also recognized as one of the top science colleges in the country.
The event, United Robotics Fest 1.0 included a successful inter-school Robo Soccer competition, a panel discussion on the impact of Robotics and AI in education, and a science exhibition featuring 17 innovative robotic models designed and built by the Plus two students of United Academy. This event was a resounding success, attracting participation from schools across the country including some of the top colleges in Kathmandu and Lalitpur, and generating enthusiasm from students, teachers, and parents.
The science exhibition was held in conjunction with the Robo Soccer competition and panel discussion and showcased 17 cutting-edge robotic models, including an automatic hand sanitizer dispenser, a rain alarm system, a security alert system, a weather reporting system, and a soil moisture monitoring system. Other remarkable models on display were an IoT-based home automation system, an automatic street light, a smart dustbin, a fingerprint door lock system, an automatic solar tracking system, an RFID card-based door lock system, a jumbo RC car, an obstacle-avoiding robot, a line following robot, a room cleaning robot, a hexapod, and a fire fighting robot.
The event was a testament to the plus two students’ creativity and craftsmanship and received positive feedback from attendees. It was a major milestone in the advancement of the robotics and AI industry in Nepal and will inspire future generations of students to pursue careers in these dynamic fields right after Secondary Education Examination (SEE).
One of the notable moments of the United Academy Nepal event was the insightful panel discussion on the impact of Robotics and AI in education, featuring Ruchi Pandey, Sr. Director of Public Relations and Corporate Communications at Fusemachines Nepal, Er. Roshan Pandey, Senior Technical Officer at Nepal Academy of Science and Technology, and Er. Ramesh Shrestha, Principal at Sagarmatha Engineering College. The discussion was skillfully moderated by Er. Bikash Gurung, President of the Robotics Association of Nepal (RAN).
The panel discussion was particularly relevant for students who are considering their options after plus two. For those who are interested in pursuing a career in IT, the discussion provided valuable insight into the benefits and opportunities that can be gained from studying Robotics and AI in education. The discussion was an excellent resource for students who are looking to determine what to study after plus two and what to do to pursue a successful career in IT.
The discussion began with Ruchi Pandey highlighting the growing importance of robotics and AI in the field of education. She discussed how these technologies are transforming the way students learn and providing new opportunities for hands-on learning and skill development. She emphasized the importance of equipping plus two students with the skills and knowledge they need to thrive in a rapidly changing world saying.
“As a female in the AI field, I have seen the growth and progression of women in technology. At Fuse, we strive to create equal opportunities for both men and women in the field. Our goal is to provide quality education and training sessions for the youth, especially in Nepal, to unlock access to AI talent and stop the brain drain. Through AI fellowships, Nepalese students are benefiting by getting fully trained in engineering and some even become entrepreneurs. We believe that Nepalese have the curiosity and potential for AI, and we want to show them the opportunities here in Nepal.” – Ruchi Pandey.
"As a mechanical engineer with nine years of experience, my passion for AI developed during my bachelor’s degree. I have seen the latest advancements in AI in other countries and I am proud to be a part of the AI integration at NAST. Our goal is to connect with the youth and bring AI to their everyday lives, especially in the education sector. Although Nepal has some penetration in AI, the output will take time as we seem to be lagging behind. In the future, AI will play a crucial role in every sector, and at NAST, we aim to support the young scientists and provide grants to students, as well as empower the uneducated with special talent through AI.”- Roshan Pandey.
Er. Roshan Pandey then spoke about the potential of robotics and AI to revolutionize education. He discussed how these technologies can be used to create more interactive and engaging learning experiences and how they can help students develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills. He also spoke about the need for educational institutions to adopt new teaching methodologies and technologies to keep pace with the rapidly evolving field of robotics and AI.
“AI is set to rule the world in the coming years with automation becoming the norm in every developed country. Every business needs to be sustainable and the key factor for this is AI and technology. Staying updated and prepared is a challenge in this ever-changing technology landscape, and workshops and collaborations should be carried out to address this. A career in AI requires a mix of incentives and passion, and in terms of global context, AI has a lot to offer. To ensure opportunities in AI, students from different backgrounds should have a strong foundation in Calculus, Linear Algebra, Statistics, and Probability, and an understanding of how the brain works. At Sagarmatha Engineering College, we are incorporating AI-related syllabus and providing dedicated funds to support the education in AI.” – Ramesh Shrestha
Ramesh Shrestha then added to the discussion by highlighting the role of engineering and technology in shaping the future of education. He discussed how engineering and technology education can provide students with the skills and knowledge they need to succeed in a rapidly changing world. He emphasized the importance of investing in education to ensure that future generations are equipped with the skills and knowledge they need to succeed in a rapidly changing world.
Simultaneously, there was also a Robo-Soccer Competition going on the same day. It was a 7-hour competition that had 8 participants in total. These participants were from all over the country — including teams from out-of-valley and all-girls teams as well. The first, second, and third place holders of the Robo-Soccer Competition were – Team Protsahan, Team Destructor, and Team Fireflies respectively.
The United Robotics Fest 1.0 by United Academy and Robotics Association Nepal was a triumph, receiving recognition and high praise from participants and attendees for the Plus two students’ innovative and creative showcase of robotics and AI in education. This event marked a significant milestone for the college and solidified its reputation as a leading institution in technology-driven education, including AI in education, digital media literacy, and integration of Information technology in education.
