In its thrust to boost the Information and Communications Technology (ICT) capabilities of TVET professionals in Nepal, an In-Country Program (ICP) focusing on the applications of ICT in the pedagogical and learning process was held at the Training Institute for Technical Instruction (TITI) from October 8-12, 2017 by the Colombo Plan Staff College (CPSC) in collaboration with the Council for Technical Education and Vocational Training (CTEVT) – Nepal.

Attended by 26 participants, most of which are administrators and teachers with ICT background hailing from different TVET institutions across Nepal, the program targeted to expand the knowledge of the participants in ICT through special lectures and theme papers relating to ICT-based education, training and management, development of rich media e-learning resource for educational software of the CTEVT Online Program, identification of emerging trends in e-learning and relating these in their own institutions, and customization of learning management systems (LMS) to suit their institutional needs and learning capacities for online delivery. This provided the participants a whole new perspective and appreciation of ICT not only in creating their learning materials and instruments, but also in ensuring the effective and efficient delivery of these information aids to enhance the learning experience and immersion of their student audience.

Steering and supervising the ICP is the CPSC Director General, Dr. Ramhari Lamichhane together with CTEVT’s Member Secretary Mr. Pushpa Raham Wagle. Program coordination and facilitation, meanwhile, was managed by CPSC Faculty Consultant Prof. Dr. G. Kulanthaivel with the local support of Mr. Tek Bahadur Malla, Mr. Mohan Bahadur Karki, and Mr. Deva Kumar Shrestha of CTVET.

Mr. Dipesh Khanal, CEO and Co-founder of Innovake Private Limited and Executive Member of the Google Developers Group – Kathmandu was one of the local resource person delivering a theme paper on “Intervention of E-Learning Platform in Teaching and Learning Experiences”. The Head – Technical of M/S. SEC Communications Pvt. Ltd (India), Mr. Shanmugam and the ICT Officer of CPSC (Manila), Mr. Felix Sibal, delivered online presentations revolving on video conferencing and LMS (Moodle) system for online delivery.

To further enhance the reach and distribute the benefits of the ICP, CPSC also organized the International Seminar on “ICT-enabled Teaching and Learning” conducted on October 11, 2017. Participated by TVET administrators, policy makers, academic professionals, experts including as well as representatives and experts from various international and regional organizations including private sector and enthusiasts from Nepal, the seminar was addressed by CTEVT and National Skills Testing Board (NSTB) officials, as well as leading professionals and educators from the academe and private sector. A total of 62 delegates attended the event.