Welcome to Smart Cheli, we inspire girls to discover and pursue STEM
Balancing the gender gap in the stem field by STEAM-based workshop and mentorship program.
SMART CHELI is a female lead social enterprise working to create gender balance in the STEM field.
We are targeting young girls in the age group 10 to 19, through mentorship and STEAM-based programs. We have initiated SMART CHELI for a cause which is to decrease the prevailing gender gap in the STEM field in Nepal as women represent only between 5% and 10% of people in STEM in Nepal . Our aim is to enhance critical thinking, cultivate their imaginations and problem-solving skills, and get exposure to STEM from an early age.
Only 12% of the total students who graduated in Engineering & Technology are women. We know that most of the girls lose interest in STEM subjects from the ages of 13 and 17 due to existing stereotypes. We are planning to overcome the existing stereotype and provide an equal opportunity for girls to pursue STEM education and careers by targeting young girls aged 10 to 18. We believe that providing the right mentorship and environment for this age group will positively impact their entire lives.
Meet the team working to close the gender gap in STEM
Pratiksha Pandey is an Electronics and Communication Engineer. She has been working in this field for four years. Currently, she has been working as a mentor for 1000 girls, 1000 futures program of New York Academy of Science. Also, she has been awarded by Power of Radiance award 2020 for working in the field of girls education.
Sulata Dhakal is a Master’s degree graduate in Structural Engineering from Pokhara University and was honored with Erasmus+ Scholarship for a mobility program. In addition, she is the Program Director of Smart Cheli and loves working with young minds and aspires to contribute towards the future of girls in stem.
Ila Adhikari is an Engineer, Writer, and Educator who likes being around plants. Having worked as a Software Developer, she has a special interest in Human-Computer Interaction, Behavioral Technology, and Data Visualization. Storytelling has always been Ila’s priority, whether through writing, teaching, or data. And she delves into topics that interest her by exploring and developing new projects.
Currently pursuing Bachelor's in Computer Science and Information Technology, I am a tech enthusiast with a keen interest in multimedia. I have been working as a graphic designer for the past few years. I always look forward to learning more and believe in innovation and creativity. Traveling, street photography, and cycling are my activities for recreation.
Pragyee Shrestha is an Electronics Engineer. She was also an Research Assistant at Research and Innovation Unit (RIU). Driven by the challenges of the data and its real-world application, she has contributed to various AI projects. In addition, she also embodies her successful role as an educator who is always eager to learn, share and explore.
Prativa Bhatta is an Educator and Biotechnologist who has a special interest in taking research into innovation. Her vision is to connect a bridge between scientific research and the community.
Aaradhana Ojha is an educator at Smart Cheli and a fourth-year student of Electronics Communication and Information Technology. She is actively involved in projects related to electric scooters and a vehicle tracking system, driven by her passion for technology and commitment to sustainable solutions.
Santosh Upreti is a enthusiastic computer engineer graduate from IOE. His passion in life is teaching to motivate people to transform their lives in better ways. With this passion he is working as an educator at Smart Cheli.
Aayushma Panta is a computer vision research Engineer. She is also a scholar from Tribhuvan University, IOE. Driven by the challenges of the data and its real-world application, she has contributed to various AI projects. In addition, she also embodies her successful role as an educator who is always eager to learn, share and explore.
