Kathmandu: In a major move to bridge the skilled manpower gap in Nepal’s information technology sector, TechPaila Innovation has announced a strategic partnership with the world-renowned NCC Education UK. This collaboration marks a significant shift in the local academic landscape, allowing Nepali students in grades 11 and 12 to pursue international-standard certifications in Cyber Security, Artificial Intelligence (AI), and Data Science directly within their own school premises.
During a specialized product launch event, Chiranjibi Adhikari, Associate Director of TechPaila Innovation and a prominent technology expert, delivered a keynote address titled “The Foundation of Digital Nepal: Skill-Based Education and Global Competitiveness.” Adhikari characterized the initiative as a milestone for the country, noting that while Nepal’s IT sector is expanding by 20 to 25 percent annually, approximately 70 percent of local tech companies are unable to find certified professionals to fill critical roles. He argued that while the younger generation is highly active in the digital space, less than 5 percent possess formal knowledge of cyber security, making this “skills gap” a national emergency rather than a mere educational preference.
To facilitate widespread adoption, TechPaila has introduced these three specialized courses—Cyber Security, AI, and Data Science—which are recognized in over 50 countries. The initiative utilizes a “Zero Setup Cost” model for schools and colleges, meaning TechPaila will provide certified trainers and a state-of-the-art Learning Management System (LMS) without requiring additional infrastructure investment from the institutions.
This approach ensures that students across Nepal, regardless of their school’s budget, can access world-class technical education. Beyond local employment, these certifications also offer a gateway to global higher education, providing “credit mileage” and simplified admission processes at more than 70 universities across the United Kingdom, the United States, and Australia.
Highlighting the economic potential of the sector, the former President of the Nepal Chamber of Commerce, Rajendra Malla, emphasized that IT and AI education should be a top priority for the government. He revealed that Nepal’s IT and AI service business has witnessed explosive growth, doubling from 70 billion NPR in 2023 to 140 billion NPR in 2026. Malla pointed out that the IT industry currently offers faster financial returns than the hydropower sector and serves as a vital tool to prevent the “brain drain” of Nepali youth seeking low-wage labor abroad. He urged the partners to ensure this curriculum reaches rural areas, not just urban centres.
The event also featured insights from key industry stakeholders, including Dr Shaligram Parajuli of Nepal Telecom, who stressed that policy, infrastructure, and human resource development must move in tandem to meet the demands of the new generation. Ram Hari Silwal, General Secretary of HISAN, lauded TechPaila’s “Skilling, Reskilling, Upskilling” campaign, stating that such collaborations are essential to transforming Nepali youth from mere technology consumers into innovative creators.
Concluding the session, Bigyan Shrestha, Chairman of Digi Group, remarked that TechPaila Innovation has laid a fundamental foundation for putting Nepali technology on the global map. He expressed confidence that this initiative would empower Nepali students to compete effectively in the international market, eventually establishing Nepal as a leading global technology hub. By integrating specialized 21st-century survival skills into the high school curriculum, the partnership aims to create a future-ready workforce capable of driving the nation’s digital economy.
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