DevFest Kathmandu 2024: A monumental success in growing Nepal’s tech ecosystem

KATHMANDU: DevFest Kathmandu 2024 concluded on an extraordinary note, marking a significant milestone in Nepal’s technology landscape. Held in collaboration with St. Xavier’s College, Maitighar, and organized by GDG Kathmandu, the event was supported by Google Developers Group (GDG) and Google Developer Experts (GDEs). Over 500 developers, technologists, and entrepreneurs came together to celebrate innovation, collaboration, and the nation’s burgeoning tech talent.

The event showcased Nepal’s growing prominence in the global tech arena, featuring workshops, expert sessions, and startup showcases. Managed by EventsMo, DevFest ensured a seamless experience for attendees while fostering an environment of creativity and learning.

The numbers highlighted the event’s success:
– Over 500 attendees, including 200+ female participants.
– 20+ international speakers shared their expertise.
– 4 startups showcased their innovative products, and 3 workshops empowered participants with hands-on skills.
– 20+ volunteers and 6+ organizers ensured the event ran smoothly.

Among the participants was the youngest attendee, aged just 10, symbolizing Nepal’s potential to nurture tech talent from a young age.

The event’s interactive platform allowed participants to explore cutting-edge advancements in technology, network with industry leaders, and gain insights from a diverse lineup of speakers.

Attendees enjoyed free coffee, courtesy of Coffee of Promise, which added a creative and energetic atmosphere to the event. The startup showcases featured Presenton, NoAIGPT, and Scaniz, whose groundbreaking innovations inspired the audience.

The speaker sessions covered a range of topics, from AI and machine learning to microservices and open-source contributions. Notable sessions included:
– Building the Future of Education: My AI Startup Journey in Nepal by Dipesh Jung Pandey.
– Architecting Enterprise-Grade GenAI Applications with Google Cloud by Kartik Derasari.
– On-device ML in Mobile Applications by Pranesh Pyara Shrestha.

Interactive workshops allowed attendees to gain practical knowledge, including sessions on Kubernetes, responsible AI, and deploying AI with Gemini. A panel discussion on Ethical AI Development added depth to the event, featuring insights from Sangita Sharma and Chandra Bd. Khadka, moderated by Ishika Panta.

A strong emphasis on diversity and inclusion was evident, with initiatives led by Nepali Women in Computing, Women Leaders in Technology, and Women Techmakers. The CSIT Association of Nepal played a pivotal role in increasing female participation.

Reflecting on the event’s success, the GDG Kathmandu team stated, “DevFest Kathmandu 2024 was a remarkable demonstration of how collaboration, learning, and innovation can drive the tech ecosystem in Nepal forward. The incredible participation and support motivate us to scale even greater heights in fostering tech talent.”

The overwhelming response from attendees, sponsors, and community leaders solidified DevFest Kathmandu 2024 as a cornerstone event in advancing Nepal’s position as a global tech hub. As GDG Kathmandu gears up for future initiatives, the nation’s developer community stands poised for even greater achievements.