Data Science and AI in Nepal’s Higher Education Institutions: A Wake-Up Call
As the world is transforming into a digital era, the demand for skilled professionals in data science and AI is skyrocketing. However, Nepal is lagging behind in equipping its students with these essential skills, resulting in a significant skills gap in the country’s Higher Education Institutions (HEIs). In this article, I will argue that it is high time for Nepal to incorporate data science and AI into its HEIs curriculum to prepare its students for the future job market and foster innovation and economic growth.
The Unemployment Crisis
According to recent statistics from the World Bank, the unemployment rate among the youth labour force (ages 15-24) in Nepal is 21 percent, a slight increase from 20 percent in 2017. This rate is higher than the regional average. Moreover, older statistics from the International Labour Organisation indicate that approximately 26.1 percent of university graduates in Nepal are unemployed. Most of these graduates are employed in routine jobs. With the advent of Artificial Intelligence (AI), many of these positions are at risk of being replaced by AI and automation. As it is often said, “AI won’t replace humans, but humans with AI will replace humans without AI.”
Nepal’s youth labour force is facing a significant unemployment crisis
The Need for Data Science and AI Skills
Data science combines mathematics, statistics, specialized programming, advanced analytics, AI, and machine learning to uncover actionable insights hidden within organizational data. Given the low employability rate among university graduates in Nepal, it is imperative to equip them with these essential skills. By integrating data science and AI into the HEIs curriculum, Nepal can better prepare its students for the uncertain future job market and foster innovation and economic growth.
Best Practices from Around the World
India’s example reveals a massive impetus from government and private stakeholders on AI skilling over the past several years. Numerous skilling programs on data science are available in India, ranging from secondary schooling to doctoral levels. Under government initiatives like Skill India, large-scale programs have been completed and are ongoing to reskill and upskill the workforce in these areas. For instance, many Indian states have introduced Python programming as a compulsory or elective course in secondary school curricula to expose young minds to AI and data skills.
Python programming is becoming a popular skill in Indian schools
What Needs to be Done
A similar curriculum intervention is necessary in Nepal to cultivate young Nepali minds with data and programming skills for future AI roles. Currently, only a few top-notch business schools in Nepal have incorporated Python coding into their curriculum. However, this practice is not widespread. For undergraduate and graduate curricula across all professional HEI courses in Nepal, introducing data science skills in applied statistics, R programming, Python programming, SQL, data visualization (using tools like Tableau), machine learning, and deep learning is essential.
Tableau is a popular data visualization tool
Additionally, each data science course should include at least one compulsory industry guest lecture (physical or online) from AI or data science experts, whether from Nepal or globally. This will ensure that students know the latest AI trends relevant to the industry.
Implementing these interventions would gradually build a culture of AI, data science, and innovation among Nepal’s student community, addressing the existing skill gap. Moreover, such initiatives would foster the growth of AI-powered startups in Nepal, providing solutions for various socio-economic and business challenges.
AI-powered startups can drive innovation and economic growth in Nepal
Conclusion
In conclusion, by incorporating data science and AI into HEIs, Nepal can better prepare its students for the uncertain future job market and foster innovation and economic growth. The recent launch of a concept paper on the application and practice of AI in Nepal is a welcome move. However, it is crucial to formulate how AI can be integrated into the curriculum to ensure that future graduates possess the necessary skills. The time to act is now, and Nepal must move forward with integrating data science and AI into its HEIs curriculum to remain competitive in the global economy.
