Empowering Change: A Memorable YouthMappers Event at Far Western University

After a momentous event, Far Western University became the first university in Sudurpaschim Province, Nepal, to host a formal chapter of YouthMappers, setting a new pace for geospatial innovation and collaborative breakthroughs in the region. On August 4 and 5, 2024, Far Western University hosted a two-day, colorful, and inspiring event with more than 100 students from various faculties — including Engineering, Management, Law, and CSIT — for the Grand Opening, themed "Surpassing Expectations," further affirming the growing excitement around geospatial technology and its power for good.

A Grand Opening

The event kicked off with Birendra as the anchor, setting an engaging tone for the proceedings. His opening remarks were soon followed by the formal commencement of the program, as the Dean of the Engineering Faculty, Prof. Dr. Kishan Datta Bhatta, was invited to unveil the event banner. This symbolic act marked the beginning of what would be an insightful and impactful gathering.

Warm Welcomes and Vision Sharing

Urmila Joshi, a member of the newly formed chapter, gave a talk on her thoughts regarding the inception of the new chapter and elaborated on the importance of the initiative in opening pathways for collaboration and innovation. The words of welcome were then followed by the official launch of the new committee of YouthMappers Nepal at Far Western University with the Regional Ambassadors of YouthMappers. This formal recognition highlighted the university's commitment to advancing the goals of YouthMappers and integrating its mission into the campus community.

Unveiling the YouthMappers Mission

Puja Pali, President of Far Western University YouthMappers, came forward with a presentation on the background and objectives of the organization. Her presentation offered real insight into the core mission of YouthMappers: to empower students with mapping and geospatial technology to contribute to sustainable development and community resilience. It was a brilliant and lucid presentation — clear and passionate in laying down the foundational knowledge needed to understand the impact of the YouthMappers network.

Engaging Discussions and Future Directions

After wrapping up the formal part of the program, the regional ambassadors took the opportunity to engage more with the students by practically explaining what YouthMappers is. This session was informative, inspirational, and motivating, as they urged the students to engage more collaboratively and use their skills to improve society.

This was especially exciting, as it gave attendees a chance to engage more informally. The session ended with an interactive question-and-answer segment, through which students had the opportunity to ask questions and gain a clearer understanding of the issues surrounding the YouthMappers initiative. The discussions were lively and informative, showing the students' eagerness to go out into the world and make a real difference on the ground.

Practical Learning and Hands-On Mapping on Day Two

The next day was very successful. The YouthMappers event was characterized by several engaging sessions and practical exercises. The program began with Ashok Thakulla, YouthMappers Leadership Fellow of 2023, and Nishan K. Aryal, YouthMappers Regional Ambassador for Asia Pacific, teaching all students present about OpenStreetMap, including account creation and best practices for using it.

Following this, students received information on mapping with the HOT Tasking Manager. The session was highly interactive and helped many students gain hands-on skills they can apply to real-world mapping. Students responded with enthusiasm, mapping their university and local areas as demo exercises.

Interactive Learning and Recognition

There was a question-and-answer session in the form of a game to enhance engagement, making the learning process more interactive and fun. This helped clarify any doubts or gaps in understanding.

The event also featured a recognition segment, where the chairperson and chief guests were presented with tokens of appreciation for their presence. The Vice Chancellor of Far Western University, Dr. Hemraj Panta, shared positive thoughts about the program and the active participation of the students. Ashok Thakulla and Nishan K. Aryal were also honored with tokens of appreciation for their invaluable time and effort. Additionally, the newly elected committee of YouthMappers at Far Western University received tokens of appreciation, further motivating them for future endeavors.

Interactive Activities and Student Engagement

Beyond the core sessions, the event featured various interactive activities designed to engage students and enhance their learning experience. These included mapping challenges and group discussions that encouraged students to collaborate and apply their new skills in a supportive environment. The mapping challenges were particularly popular, fostering a sense of friendly competition while reinforcing the practical applications of geospatial technology.

Looking Ahead

The event closed with a speech by Prof. Dr. Kishan Datta Bhatta, Dean of the Faculty of Engineering. He expressed gladness at having representatives from YouthMappers Nepal present and again emphasized the importance of the program.

Nishan K. Aryal assured attendees that similar training programs would be organized in the future, expressing confidence that these programs would significantly benefit students.

Conclusion

The two-day event held at Far Western University marked a historic moment as the first YouthMappers chapter in Sudurpaschim Province, Nepal.

The program shared with faculty the great promise that geospatial data holds for bringing positive change to our world. The future is bright for collaborative mapping projects among enthusiastic students from various faculties, alongside community-driven initiatives. The training course left students feeling united and purposeful in developing critical geospatial competencies.

The successful launch promises innovative contributions and meaningful projects, setting a strong foundation for impactful work ahead. We look forward to the continued growth and achievements of the YouthMappers chapter at Far Western University.

About the Trainers

Nishan K. Aryal is the YouthMappers Regional Ambassador for Asia Pacific. With extensive experience in OpenStreetMap and the HOT Tasking Manager, he has been mentoring students and empowering communities to organize geospatial data toward better livelihoods. His energy and enthusiasm for encouraging others make him a key figure in the YouthMappers family.

Er. Ashok Thakulla is a dedicated Geomatics Engineer, YouthMappers Leadership Fellow 2023, member of the USYC 2024 cohort, and Open Mapping Guru, with expertise in surveying, mapping, and geospatial analysis. With over four years of OpenStreetMap (OSM) mapping experience, he graced the "YouthMappers Chapter Installation and Workshop on OSM Toolkit" with his presence, elevating the event to new heights.

About the Author

I am Rabindra Lekhak, a student of Civil Engineering at Far Western University. I have been passionate about blogging since 2020, during the lockdown, when I first started writing down my thoughts and sharing my ideas with people.

I am also a proud member of the newly formed Far Western University YouthMappers, which gives me the opportunity to combine my love for technology with community service. I view blogging as a tool to further strengthen and organize my work, in order to reach as many people as possible with a meaningful array of knowledge.