Lumbini Province’s First IoT and Innovation Lab iLab Launched
Before innovation had a real place in Lumbini Province, a lot of students learned about technology only through books and screens. People wrote down their ideas in notebooks, but they didn’t know where to go with them, and it was hard to get real tools. The desire to build, experiment, and innovate existed – but the platform did not.
That story changes with the launch of iLab, Lumbini Province’s first Internet of Things (IoT) and Innovation Laboratory. Now in operation, iLab opens its doors to students from Grade 3 to undergraduate level, offering hands-on exposure to modern technology, robotics, smart systems, IoT project development, and innovation-driven learning. More than a lab, iLab is a starting point where young minds turn curiosity into creation and ideas into reality.
iLab Team and Founders
iLab was founded by Sandesh Acharya. Along with him, Samir Thapa, Jyoti Sharma, and Aliza Thapa serve as co-founders and partners. Sandesh Acharya strongly supports innovation and experimental learning in technical education. He says, “Our goal is not just to provide knowledge, but to give students the opportunity to learn by building with their own hands. Only by creating projects using real equipment do students develop true skills and confidence.”
According to Samir Thapa, co-founder and Director of Training and Academic Programs at iLab, the team is focused on how students from Dang and across the country can effectively gain skills in modern technology and IoT applications.
The Story Behind the Establishment of iLab
Sandesh Acharya became interested in technology and innovation at a young age. While studying in Grade 9, he built projects like a Bluetooth-controlled car and systems to control home appliances such as lights, fans, and heaters using a mobile phone. During his university studies, he saw that Nepal’s education system primarily relies on textbooks and examinations. The lack of project-based practice stops students from gaining real-world skills.
Sandesh says, “The main purpose of establishing iLab is to ensure that students learn not only from books but also through hands-on experience.”
Why Ghorahi?
Many people ask, “Why Ghorahi instead of Kathmandu?” Aliza Thapa, Director of the Research and Innovation Department at iLab, says, “Talent is not limited to Kathmandu alone. Students in Ghorahi are equally curious and capable, but what is lacking here is a proper platform. We have brought iLab to fill that gap.”
iLab aims to help local students discover their potential and gain skills in modern technology, IoT, robotics, and smart system design.
The Importance of Physical Classes and Hands-on Skills
At iLab, students work directly with devices like Arduino, NodeMCU, ESP32, and Raspberry Pi. This hands-on approach teaches them to build robots, smart systems, and IoT projects. Jyoti Sharma, Director of Partnerships and Institutional Relations, says, “Hands-on learning cannot be replaced by online courses. True skills are developed only when students are allowed to make mistakes and improve. That is why we have turned our classroom into a laboratory.”
iLab prioritizes physical classes so students can gain strong practical knowledge.
Even Young Children Can Learn IoT and Robotics
At iLab, even students from Grade 3 learn technology. Sandesh says, “Today’s children are not limited to watching YouTube or playing games on mobile phones. They can light LEDs, use sensors, and build robotics projects too. We teach them in a playful way, which increases their curiosity and creativity.”
iLab Training Programs and Projects
At iLab, students receive project-based training. They learn to create projects like mobile-controlled lights, smart doorbells, temperature monitoring systems, Bluetooth-controlled cars, gesture-controlled robots, smart agriculture solutions, solar systems, and more. Training includes hardware programming platforms such as Arduino, NodeMCU, ESP32, Raspberry Pi, along with simulations and other practical learning modules.
These training programs are suitable for students from Grade 3 to undergraduate level, and certificates are awarded upon completion.
Sandesh says, “We want students to be able to start their own startups instead of looking for jobs. Opportunities exist in Nepal; we just need to provide access and the right platform.”
For more information about iLab, you can visit the official iLab Facebook page: https://facebook.com/ilabnepal
The launch of iLab marks the start of a new era of technology and innovation in Dang and the Mid-Western region of Nepal.
