Empower young women in Nepal to be leader in tech

Report on WLiT Fellowship Butwal 23/24

Introduction

WLiT Fellowship Butwal is a seven-month-long technical and leadership development program for women studying computer science and information technology-related courses in Lumbini Province (Butwal, Tilotattama, Bhairawa, Nepalgunj). The fellowship aims to enable 15 young women in tech to build a first-of-its-kind community in the city. They will go through holistic growth through various activities throughout the year in various forms: 6 months of mentorship, a two/three-month internship at a partner company, self-led school activities consisting package of programs like Hour of Code, Internet safety sessions, and career counseling for mid-school and high school students.

The initial stage of the Fellowship program is Bootcamp. It is an intensive workshop series and mentorship session where this time it was designed to be residential for 9 days. WLiT fellows were trained and provided technical and non-technical skills relevant to the market to enhance their careers. The Butwal Bootcamp 23/24 was held from July 2nd to July 10th, 2023 at the venue DreamLand Gold Resort of Butwal, and signified the start of a new year of fellowship program for WLiT. Bootcamp itself encompasses two different sessions, technical sessions with 2 day Hackathon, and leadership sessions. 

Technical Sessions

Technical Session was designed to guide fellows toward web development and help them nurture their careers towards the same. It enclosed the following topics like Git, javascript, Node, MongoDB, and their peripherals. Toward the end of the Bootcamp, fellows were able to build 5 different web-based platforms with the skills they learned. The 2-day hackathon was the highlight of the Technical Session boot camp. It was a practical and hands-on event that provided the fellows with an opportunity to apply the skills they had learned throughout the boot camp. The hackathon aimed to challenge and enhance their web development abilities, foster teamwork, and encourage creative problem-solving.

Date -> Sessions

1. July 2, 2023 -> Git Workshop
2. July 3, 2023 -> JS Introduction
3. July 4, 2023 -> Advanced JS Concepts (part 1)
4. July 5, 2023 -> Advanced JS Concepts (part 2)
5. July 6, 2023 -> Intro to NodeJS with Express (part 1)
6. July 7, 2023 -> Express (part 2)
7. July 8, 2023 -> Intro to DB (MongoDB) with System Architecture.
8. July 9, 2023 -> Hackathon
9. July 10, 2023 -> Hackathon and Closing Presentation

Leadership Sessions

Leadership Session was designed to help fellows build soft skills to become better leaders and excel in their professional working environment. It consisted of topics such as teamwork, time management, design thinking, impactful problem-solving, etc. Leadership sessions also helped fellows to develop their projects with a holistic approach.

Date && Session

1. July 2, 2023 -> Goal Setting with Team Work
2. July 3, 2023 -> Leadership, Followership, and Values
3. July 4, 2023 -> Impactful Problem Solving
4. July 5, 2023 ->  Design Thinking with Mentorship Orientation
5. July 6, 2023 -> Time Management
6. July 7, 2023 -> Empathy in leadership
7. July 8, 2023 -> Presentation with Safer-I

Hackathon

The hackathon kicked off with great enthusiasm as 15 talented student fellows, passionate about technology, gathered to participate in the event. The participants were divided into 5 groups, each led by experienced group moms. The day commenced with a series of enlightening there project-based technical sessions, including web development frameworks, database management, and user experience design. The student fellows absorbed these learnings eagerly, preparing themselves for the project development phase. With the guidance of their group mom, the groups brainstormed innovative ideas and laid the groundwork for their web-based projects. The atmosphere was charged with creativity and collaboration.

The final day of the hackathon witnessed a culmination of creativity, hard work, and technical prowess as the 5 groups of student fellows presented their web-based ideas with MVP of their idea which they will continue working on in the next six mont presented their remarkable web-based projects. The participants had worked tirelessly throughout the night, fueled by their passion for technology and the desire to make a difference. Each project demonstrated an impressive blend of technical knowledge and innovation. From e-learning platforms to social impact apps, the diversity of projects showcased the depth of talent present among the fellows. The hackathon proved to be a tremendous success, not only in terms of outstanding projects but also in fostering a spirit of camaraderie and collaboration among the participants.

Projects pitched and developed by fellows in the hackathon

Study Station

The Study Station Web Application is a student-focused to-do app that helps users organize tasks, set reminders, and track progress. With an intuitive interface and gamification elements, it promotes efficient task management and academic success. Future plans include a mobile app, LMS integration, and AI-based smart scheduling.

Rojgar Sathi

Rojgar Sathi is a transformative job portal dedicated to students and freshers, offering diverse part-time jobs, internships, and entry-level positions that align with academic schedules. With user-friendly features, career counseling, and timely notifications, it bridges the employer-student gap and empowers users in their pursuit of financial independence and professional growth.

Ready for Sewa: Volunteer Matching Website with Calendar View

Ready for Sewa is a user-friendly web application that connects event organizers with volunteers. The platform features a calendar view displaying upcoming events, allows organizers to create profiles and add event details, and enables volunteers to create profiles with preferences and availability. In-app messaging and reviews foster seamless communication and a reliable community for event coordination.

My Health Appointments

My Health Appointment is a user-friendly web application that has revolutionized the healthcare system by providing patients with greater flexibility in booking appointments. The platform offers real-time availability of doctors and specialists, allowing users to schedule appointments from the comfort of their homes and easily reschedule or cancel if needed.

Changeivy

The Changeivy project is a web-based productivity tracker that helps users monitor and enhance their productivity and goal achievement. It implements the SMART goal framework, offers productivity graphs to visualize progress, and introduces a gamified "Snap Streak" feature to boost motivation. Additionally, it plans to include practice questions related to users' objectives for a comprehensive experience.

Closing

The closing of the WLiT Fellowship Butwal Bootcamp 23/24 was a grand culmination of the nine-day intensive series of sessions. Held on July 10th, 2023, at the venue DreamLand Gold Resort in Butwal, the closing ceremony marked the successful completion of the boot camp, including the highly anticipated hackathon.

 The closing ceremony began with excitement and accomplishment as the 15 talented student fellows, along with facilitators and group moms, gathered to celebrate their journey of learning, growth, and collaboration. The event was attended by esteemed guests from the tech industry, principals and coordinators from the colleges, members of the Nepal Youth Entrepreneur Forum, and news reporters from News Butwal Today.

 The ceremony started with a heartfelt welcome address by the emcee, expressing gratitude to all participants, and supporters who made the Bootcamp a resounding success and also recognized the dedication and hard work put in by the facilitators who selflessly shared their expertise and knowledge with the fellows. The highlight of the closing ceremony was the presentation of the projects developed during the hackathon. Each of the five groups of student fellows showcased their web-based platforms, demonstrating the impressive skills they had acquired during the technical sessions. The presentations were captivating, and the audience was impressed with the innovation displayed by the participants. The web-based platforms covered a wide range of ideas, from educational tools to social impact applications, showcasing the diverse interests and talents of the fellows. The closing ceremony concluded with a sense of achievement and camaraderie among the participants. The bonds forged during the Bootcamp were evident as the student fellows shared their experiences and future aspirations.

After the presentations, the event continued with words of encouragement and motivation by the Executive Director of the Program Ms. Nhasala Joshi emphasizing the importance of fostering diversity and inclusion in the tech industry. As the closing ceremony came to an end, there was a prevailing sense of optimism and excitement in the room. The fellows were equipped with technical expertise, leadership skills, and a strong support network, all of which would propel them forward in their careers. The WLiT Fellowship Butwal had successfully set the stage for these young women to become trailblazers in the tech industry, and the city now awaited the positive impact this empowered community would create.

 With a promising start to their year-long fellowship program, the student fellows left the closing ceremony with renewed determination and the belief that they could indeed make a difference in the world of technology and leadership. The event was a true celebration of empowerment, learning, and the spirit of collaboration that would undoubtedly shape the future of tech in Lumbini Province and beyond.

Challenges and Learnings

Challenges from the WLiT Fellowship Butwal Bootcamp 23/24:

1. Intensive Schedule: The Bootcamp was a nine-day residential program with packed schedules for technical and leadership sessions, leaving little room for downtime. Managing energy levels and focus throughout the intensive period was a challenge for both participants and facilitators.
2. Technical Complexity: For some fellows, the technical sessions on web development and programming languages like JavaScript and NodeJS presented a steep learning curve. The complexity of certain concepts and technologies required extra effort and practice to grasp.
3. Team Dynamics: During the hackathon, the participants were divided into groups to work on their web-based projects. Managing diverse personalities and ensuring effective teamwork among the members was a challenge that required effective leadership and communication.
4. Time Constraints: The hackathon's time constraints added pressure to complete the projects within a limited timeframe. Managing time efficiently to brainstorm ideas, design, develop, and present the projects was a significant challenge for the student fellows.
5. Balancing Technical and Leadership Skills: The Bootcamp aimed to provide both technical and leadership development. Finding the right balance between the two skill sets and ensuring equal attention to both aspects was a challenge for the organizers.

Key Learnings from the WLiT Fellowship Butwal Bootcamp 23/24:

1. Technical Skills: Participants gained hands-on experience and technical expertise in web development, including Git, JavaScript, NodeJS, and MongoDB. They learned to build web-based platforms, equipping them with market-relevant skills.
2. Soft Skills: Through the leadership sessions, fellows acquired valuable soft skills like goal setting, teamwork, time management, design thinking, and empathy in leadership. These skills are crucial for personal and professional growth.
3. Collaboration: Working in diverse teams during the hackathon taught the importance of collaboration, effective communication, and collective problem-solving. Fellows learned to leverage each other's strengths to achieve common goals.
4. Time Management: The intensive schedule of the Bootcamp instilled time management skills in the fellows. They learned to prioritize tasks, manage deadlines, and make the most of limited time and resources.
5. Resilience and Adaptability: Facing technical challenges and time constraints during the hackathon taught the fellows resilience and adaptability. They learned to stay composed under pressure and find creative solutions to overcome obstacles.
6. Networking and Community Building: The Bootcamp provided a unique opportunity for fellows to network with industry professionals, mentors, and peers. Building a strong community of like-minded individuals fosters ongoing support and growth.
7. Empowerment: The fellowship program empowered young women in tech, creating a supportive environment where they could explore their potential, pursue their passions, and break barriers in the male-dominated tech industry.
8. Project Development: The hackathon allowed fellows to experience the complete project development lifecycle, from ideation to presentation. This practical experience will be valuable as they work on projects throughout the fellowship.

Next Step

Next step, after the completion of Bootcamp, is to continue nurturing the growth of the WLiT Fellowship Butwal community. To achieve this, we have planned monthly meetups that will focus on both leadership and technical sessions. These meetups will provide a platform for ongoing learning, knowledge sharing, and networking among the fellows. By holding these events within Butwal, the participants can easily access and actively participate in these valuable sessions.

Additionally, mentorship will play a crucial role in the fellows' development. Each participant will be paired with a mentor from Butwal who will provide guidance, support, and advice throughout the fellowship journey. These mentor-mentee relationships will foster personalized development plans and help the fellows navigate challenges and opportunities in their tech careers.

Furthermore, to enhance practical exposure and industry relevance, the WLiT Fellowship Butwal will establish partnerships with tech companies in Butwal. These partnerships will facilitate traineeship and internship opportunities for the fellows, allowing them to gain real-world experience and apply their technical and leadership skills in professional settings.

By incorporating these initiatives into the fellowship program, we aim to ensure continuous growth, skill enhancement, and community building for the participants. The monthly meetups, mentorship pairing, and industry partnerships will not only strengthen the fellows' technical capabilities but also equip them with essential soft skills, making them well-rounded professionals and future leaders in the tech industry. The program's holistic approach will contribute to building a sustainable and vibrant community of empowered women in technology.

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