In partnership with Engineers Without Borders Nepal (EWBN), WorldLink CSR has been supporting students’ skill development through experiential learning initiatives. In this context, EWBN implemented the iLab initiative at Shree Nepal Rashtriya Secondary School, Bara, with a special focus on the iJatra student innovation showcase. The initiative aimed to address learning gaps in community schools by promoting hands-on, innovation-driven, and entrepreneurial learning approaches.
The model followed a structured process that included school selection based on a needs assessment, establishment of a makerspace, delivery of a five-day Innovation Accelerator Program (IAP) for students in Grades 7, 8, and 9, post-IAP teacher mentoring support, and the final iJatra exhibition. The school was selected based on leadership readiness, available infrastructure, and its potential to sustain innovation-based practices.
Through the IAP, students identified local challenges, analyzed root causes, developed practical solutions, and created prototypes using activity-based learning methods. This process was further strengthened through teacher mentoring, exposure visits, and continuous in-school collaboration.
Following the formal sessions, the program transitioned into the core exhibition and marketplace component, iJatra, held on 24 February 2026. During the event, students showcased, pitched, and sold their products through individual stalls. The exhibition featured a diverse range of student-led products and ideas, including Thekuwa, Gujiya, stickers, Panchakanya achar, Silam-Sakma, Drisya (a card game designed for visually impaired players), recyclable pencils, paper soap, paper bookmarks, and a STEM project from Shree Deepnarayan Adarsha Secondary School, Parsa, along with several food stalls.
The event engaged 37 student participants, 15 stalls, and 5 teachers, and attracted more than 500 attendees, including 184 external visitors such as the Deputy Mayor of the Jeetpursimara Sub-metropolitan City, Ward Chairs, community members, students’ parents, local civil society representatives, and private sector stakeholders. Through product sales during the exhibition, students collectively generated a total revenue of NPR 12,000. During the formal event of i- Jatra, Ms. Anupa Bhandari Jalan, CSR Director and Promoter Shareholder, highlighted the importance of continued collaboration with local governments and stakeholders to advance students’ innovative ideas into sustainable business opportunities. She emphasized that collective support in promotion, marketing, and commercialization is essential to help students transform their creative products and innovations into long-term success.
Overall, the initiative demonstrated strong potential as a practical and locally relevant model for improving education in community schools. It enhanced students’ confidence, creativity, communication, and entrepreneurial skills, while also highlighting the importance of stronger teacher engagement, improved market readiness, better access to resources, and sustained funding to ensure long-term impact.
News coverage:
- https://businesspana.com/more/update/33088/
- https://bizpati.com/2026/02/192464/
- https://businesspana.com/more/update/33088/
- https://bizpati.com/2026/02/192464/
- https://notebazar.com/news/2026/02/26/149813/
- https://www.capitalnepal.com/detail/74962
- https://aarthiknews.com/news/117292/-i-jatra–program-completed-in-simra-in/
- https://www.arthadabali.com/2026/02/26/84900
- https://www.arthadabali.com/2026/02/26/84900
- https://www.technologykhabar.com/2026/02/26/231872/
- https://newsofnepal.com/2026/02/26/756078/
- https://www.sunakharinews.com/307913/?id=48
- https://corporatekhabar.com/worldlink-communications/
- https://arthabazar.com/123586
- https://gdpnepal.com/archives/69967
- https://arthapranali.com/2026/02/25373/
- https://www.ajakoartha.com/story/139165
- https://nagariknews.nagariknetwork.com/Bazar/i-jatra-held-in-simara-in-collaboration-with-worldlink-communications-72-15.html
- https://kendrabindu.com/economy/500518/
