IT history in Nepal

IT history in Nepal

IBM 1401

In Nepal Computer is known as Su-saan-khya. Here are some point on history of computer in Nepal and history of computer related education in Nepal.

For the first time in history Nepal hired some calculator and computer for population census calculation. Since, then the growth in field of Information Technology is rapid and progressive. It all started with use of IBM 1401, a second generation mainframe computer which was used in 1971 AD census. In 1961 AD census, Fact was used, it was an electronic calculator not computer. The timeline below shows the history of computer in Nepal.

• 1930’s AD – Technical Training Institute was established under Tribhuvan University.
• 1961 AD or (2018 BS) – “Fact” was used for census calculation.
• It took about 6 years and 6 months to prepare the census report of 96 lakhs people in 2018 BS.
• The consequences of this delayed report, the five-years planning (panch warshiya yojana) run by the government was stopped.
• 1971 AD or (2028 BS) - “IBM 1401, a second generation computer” was used for census calculation.
• It took 1 year 7 months and 15 days to process census report of 1 core and 12.5 lakhs people.
• It was rented for NRs. 1,25,000/- per month to process census data.
• 1972 AD – Technical Training Institute was reformed as Institute of Engineering (IOE).
• 1974 AD (2031 BS) – A center for (yantrik saralikaran kendra) (Electronic Data Processing) was established.
• This center was renamed to National Computer Training Center (NCC) after 6 years.
• It was established for national data processing and computer training.
• Later this computer was bought by government for Bureau of Statistics for further data processing and was kept in National Computer Center (NCC).
• In 2038 BS - “ICL 2950/10, a second generation computer” with 64 terminals was used for census.
• It took 1 year and 3 months to process population census.
• It was bought from England with the aid of UNDP nad UNFPA for 20 lakhs US dollars.
• British Government helped to develop manpower of NCC and awarded Degree in Graduate, Diploma and Post-Graduate.
• This computer is in museum of NCC, Singhdurbar this days.
• Nepalese students went to India, Thailand and USA for computer education in their own.
• 2039 BS – The microcomputers (Apple, Vector, Sirus, etc) were imported by private companies and individuals.
• To sell computers and provide training so that the manpower for operating computer could be produced in Nepal many private companies were established.

• Computer Consultancy (CC).
• Management Information Processing System (MIPS).
• Data System Information (DSI).
• Dina Computers.
• Royce International, etc

• DSI is the first company to send Nepali Software Programmers to US on short-term contracts.
• 1994 AD – Tribhuvan University started the program of Bachelor in Electronic Engineering.
• 1994 AD – Kathmandu University also started Computer Science and Engineering program.
• 1995 AD – Internet service limiting Email facility in Nepal by privet sector company, Mercantile Communications.
• Mercantile Communication stands first to start Internet in Nepal.
• Microsoft Computer, touted as an official agent, which was managed by Ashok Bhattachan.
• Father of Nepali Software incl. Nepali Fonts – Muni Shakya.
• The Official Agent of Microsoft in Nepal – Allen Bailochan Tuladhar.
• 1997 AD – Telecommunication Act 1997 was issued.
• 1997 AD – Pokhara University started computer education under Faculty of Science and Technology.
• 1998 AD – On the basis of Telecommunications Act 1997, Nepal Telecommunication Authority (NTA) – a telecommunication regulatory body was formed.
• 1998 AD – IOE under TU start Bachelor in Computer Engineering.
• 2000 AD – Only 0.2% of the total population had access to internet.
• 2000 AD – Purbanchal University also started computer education in various disciplines.
• 2010 AD – About 2.2%, in 2011 about 9% , in 2014 about 35%, in 2016 about 55% and in 2017 about 62% had access to internet.
• Government for High Level Commission for Information Technology (HLCIT) under chairmanship of Prime minister of Nepal.
• 2000 AD – (2057 BS) – First IT Policy was formulated with a vision of positioning Nepal on global IT map within the next 5 years, which has adopted a 15-point strategic framework.
• IT Policy 2057 was reviewed in 2063 and Electronic Transaction Rules 2064 are issued.
• IT Park is in Banepa, which is still in under-construction.
• NepaLinux, It was a Debian and Morphix-based Linux distribution focused on desktop usage in Nepali language computing. Latest version 3.0 (May 25, 2008). The development and distribution of NepaLinux was done by Madan Puraskar Pustakalaya.
• Computer Association of Nepal (CAN) was formed in May 1992 but was formally registered in December 1992. And later registered and Federation of Computer Association Nepal (CAN Federation) in January 2015.
• it’s an umbrella organization for IT organization, business organization, importers, etc related to information technology.
• WorldLink Communications (Pvt) Ltd. Jawalakhel, Lalitpur is the top among ISP with 147121 Subscriber’s as of NTA MIS Mangsir 2074 BS.
• The Market Share of data/internet is Nepal Telecom at top with 53.36% and followed by Ncell with 42.81% as of NTA MIS Mangsir 2074 BS.
• 2011 AD – CSIT Association of Nepal was established.

Prepared by Akkal Bahadur Bist [ akkalbist55.github.io ] reference Kushal.net.np
(Data Science/AI Research Student)