Helping Schools in using ICT and NetDay

Nepal AOTS Alumni Society(NAAS) in April 2004 decided to launch the first NetDay Program in Nepal. With the kind assistance of Mr. Yoshiaki Hayasaka (Senior JICA Volunteer), Nepal-Japan IT Promotion Committee of NAAS prepared the proposal for the NetDay project and identified the public schools for parcipation in the project. Shanti Nikunja High School, Maruhiti, Kathmandu was selected for the pilot project.

Hayasaka San made neccessary arrangement with Mitsubishi Electric, Japan and Toyonaka International Friendship Association (TIFA), Japan for donation of 50 notebook computers for the NetDay project which were transported from Osaka to Kathmandu free of cost in November 2004 with the kind courtesy of Royal Nepal Airlines Coorporation (RNAC). After going through the Ministry of Education and Sports, Ministry of Population and Environment, Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Women, Children and Social Welfare etc. and seeking the assistance of High Level of Commission of IT (HLCIT) and the Japanese Embassy in Kathmandu, the computers were finally released with duty exemption in April 2005. Allthough it seemed hopeless at times, with unrelenting perseverance and efforts of the IT Committee members and assistance from a number of well wishers, NAAS ultimately succeeded in getting the computers to pursue its ambitious program.

While the computers remained in the custody of Tribhuvan International Airport , a lof of planning was in progress regarding phasewise distribution of the 50 computers, final selection of appropriate schools to launch the project, and actual preparation for the first NetDay. Also during the period, Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed with the principals of the selected schools and preparations were made to observe the First NetDay in Shankti Nijunja High School on 1st January, 2005