TEDx Talks - Education and Innovations | Saroj Shakya | TEDxNCIT
Saros Shakya shares his 20 years of experience in the field of education at Nepal College of Information Technology. He reflects on the limited technological opportunities in Nepal during the 1990s compared to countries like the USA, where internet banking was introduced much earlier. However, he notes the positive change brought by students from Nepal College who revolutionized internet banking in Nepal. Today, there are numerous educational opportunities and specialized courses available, allowing students to focus on specific fields like software engineering without needing to study unrelated subjects. This specialization helps students become more adept in their chosen fields.
Shakya highlights the cultural integration of technology in Nepal, noting how it has become a part of daily life, from paying bills online to social media interactions. He emphasizes the dual nature of technology as a double-edged sword, offering both positive and negative impacts, such as cybercrimes. He stresses the importance of using technology responsibly and mentions government initiatives to support startups and regulate AI use. Shakya also discusses emerging technologies like VR commerce and brain-computer interfaces, which could transform future interactions and commerce. He concludes by advocating for a society that embraces change and technological advancements, with education playing a crucial role in this transformation.
Key Points:
- Technological advancements in Nepal have lagged behind but are catching up, with significant contributions from local students.
- Specialized education allows students to focus on specific fields, enhancing their expertise and employability.
- Technology is deeply integrated into daily life, offering convenience but also posing risks like cybercrime.
- Government initiatives support startups and regulate AI, promoting responsible technology use.
- Emerging technologies like VR commerce and brain-computer interfaces could revolutionize future interactions.
Details:
1. 👨🏫 Introduction and Background
- Saros Shakya has been affiliated with Nepal College of Information Technology, contributing since his involvement began.
- His role has encompassed various responsibilities, highlighting a commitment to advancing the institution's goals.
- The duration and nature of his involvement suggest a long-term strategic partnership with the college, emphasizing his integral role in its development.
2. 📚 Evolution of Education and Technology in Nepal
2.1. 📚 Evolution of Education in Nepal
2.2. 📡 Technological Advancements in Nepal
3. 🌐 Internet Banking Revolution
- The adoption of new technologies in internet banking took a decade due to the obsolescence of existing technologies. This delay was significant, particularly when compared to countries like the USA, which had already embraced advanced internet banking solutions.
- A group of students were instrumental in overcoming these technological hurdles, leading to a revolution in the internet banking sector in their country. Their innovative approaches and fresh perspectives helped accelerate the adoption of cutting-edge banking technologies.
- The students' contributions included developing new platforms and solutions that bypassed the limitations of outdated systems, effectively modernizing the banking infrastructure and enhancing customer experience.
4. 🏫 Growth of Educational Opportunities
- In 2003, Nepal College of Information Technology offered a Bachelor in Software Engineering, indicating the early stages of specialized higher education in Nepal.
- Currently, there are numerous universities in Nepal, as well as foreign universities, offering a variety of specialized courses.
- Specialized courses like Bachelor of Software Engineering, BCA, and BCIS allow students to focus on specific areas, enhancing their expertise and reducing the need to study unrelated subjects.
- The availability of these specialized programs is crucial for students who want to focus deeply on particular fields, such as software engineering, without the distraction of unrelated subjects.
5. 💻 Technology Integration in Daily Life
- Technology has deeply integrated into daily life, becoming as integral to culture as traditional elements like food.
- Examples of this integration include the ability to pay bills and book movie tickets without needing to queue, highlighting convenience and efficiency.
- Elderly individuals are increasingly interacting with technology, such as posting photos on social media, which underscores technology's pervasive role across generations.
- The presence of technology allows for information to be readily accessible, providing a sense of empowerment and responsibility.
6. ⚖️ Technology as a Double-Edged Sword
- Technology has both positive and negative aspects, acting as a double-edged sword.
- There is a significant rise in cyber crimes, highlighting the importance of using technology responsibly.
- In the past, students were mainly concerned with securing jobs immediately after graduation.
- Currently, many students at the institution are instead focusing on creating startups and providing jobs to others.
- The trend has shifted from job-seeking to job creation among graduates.
7. 🚀 Rise of Startups and Innovation
- Government agencies and organizations like UDC are implementing plans to motivate students to develop innovative ideas and start their own companies.
- UDC introduced a prize of 50 lakhs to promote startups, encouraging entrepreneurial ventures in the country.
- Government initiatives are actively supporting startup businesses, reflecting a national effort to foster innovation.
- The rise of AI presents both opportunities and challenges, necessitating responsible use to avoid ethical issues such as misuse in creating harmful content.
- An AI task force has been established to develop rules and regulations for guiding the ethical use of AI technologies.
- Specific government programs like startup incubators and innovation hubs are being established to provide necessary resources and mentorship to burgeoning startups.
- Examples of successful startups that have emerged due to these initiatives include companies in the tech, healthcare, and renewable energy sectors.
- The AI task force is focusing on creating comprehensive guidelines to ensure the responsible deployment of AI, addressing issues such as data privacy and algorithmic bias.
8. 🔮 Future Technological Trends
- The transition from traditional web development technologies like ASP and PHP to modern mobile commerce (mCommerce) underscores the necessity for educational systems to adapt to technological advancements, ensuring students are prepared for future demands.
- VR Commerce (vCommerce) represents a significant emerging trend, with major investments such as $4 billion by Mark Zuckerberg. This trend aims to integrate virtual reality into commerce, although challenges remain in seamlessly merging digital and physical experiences.
- Brain-Computer Interface (BCI) technology, or beCommerce, is under investigation for its potential to convert brainwaves into commands, enabling users to perform tasks through thought alone. This could revolutionize user interaction and commercial activities.
- The rapid pace of technological change underscores the importance of fostering a culture of innovation and ensuring that educational curricula are aligned with these advancements to prepare society for future challenges.
9. 🎓 Conclusion: Role of Education
- Education acts as a catalyst to accelerate social transformation through technical innovations.