ICT Education
THERE is no doubt that the world was taken by storm with the lightening developments in
the information technology sector towards the end of the last Century. Now, when the world
has been turned into a virtual global village due to the great advancements in the
information and communication technology (ICT) systems, experts have further predicted
that the new Century will be dominated by this sector. From well advanced nations like the
United States and Japan to developing nations like Nepal, no one wants to be left behind
and they are doing all they can to ride on this story of success and also train their
manpower in different aspects of information technology for their own benefit. In Nepal
itself, besides the many private sector institutions providing training in computers and
other branches of the communication sector, the Ministry of Science and Technology has
also been providing different types of computer training to more than 11,000 people. This
shows how seriously the country has taken the development of ICT. Like mentioned by a
Japanese professor who is an expert in this subject and who was in Kathmandu to deliver a
lecture, both policy makers and also young go-getters are firm in their belief that this
sector will be the basis of economic development and also increasing employment
opportunities in the coming years as well.
At a time when the developed nations are taking much
advantage from the development in ICT and reaping huge benefits, developing nations,
including Nepal, could also utilise this sector in their development efforts. Besides
using the advanced information technology to store data, facilitate services and even do
business, Nepal could also produce abundant manpower in this sector, who in turn could
provide services in their country and also worldwide. Minister of State for Science and
Technology Bhakta Bahadur Balayar, quite rightly pointed out while speaking at a recent
workshop in Kathmandu, that education institutions should impart information technology
education and this could contribute in solving the problem of educated unemployment. It is
encouraging that these days, recognising the importance of this sector, educational
institutions are providing ICT education from a very junior level, however, there is also
a requirement to produce experts, besides citizens with a general knowledge of the
information technology. With proper planning from the government's side and cooperation
from the private sector, information communication techonology could be a boon for Nepal
and other developing countries and help them eradicate poverty and other problems facing
them.
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