National Volunteers Support the Initiative of E-Governance with the Government of Nepal

To foster Nepal’s process to E-Governance and transparency, UNV supported the Local Governance and Community Development Program (LGCDP) II under Ministry of Federal Affairs and General Administration in Nepal by sending National ICT Experts to different provinces in 2014. Over the past 4 years, those national volunteers have assisted the local government to set up new websites, ICT tools and solve various technical problems.

Volunteerism for me is compassion, unselfish caring, investing time for society, organization and nation and thinking out of the box for positive changes and impacts. I feel proud of being a volunteer.

Panch Dev Bhatta

Panch Dev Bhatta, a National Volunteer currently based in Surkhet, has served as Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Expert at the Provincial Support Unit of LGCDP for 1.7 years. Having graduated with a bachelor’s and a master’s degree in Computer Science and Information Technology from Tribhuvan Univerisity, Panch Dev developed a profound an in-depth knowledge in the IT sector. Yet, he would also like to explore his potential beyond engineering and sciences. Currently, he is gaining his second master’s degree in International Relation and Diplomacy at Mid-Western University.

In Panch Dev’s work, he needs to provide backstopping, monitoring and mentoring support to IT Officers from 79 Local Government (LG) offices in Karnali province. The day-to-day support includes providing technical assistance on website management, technical problem-solving and realization of E-Governance at local level. Besides, he also coordinates with offices in ministries and provincial offices on issues regarding website designs, facilitation on ICT tools implementations and etc.

Given Nepal’s recent constitutional transition to a federal structure and many new provincial offices being established, Panch Dev’s work in ICT sector undoubtedly become an integral part for institution development and improving access to information in Nepal.

In the past few years, volunteerism for me remains a passion to give something to society, organization and ultimately to the nation for its development and wellbeing

Panch Dev Bhatta

With concerted efforts from other ICT teams, 79 local governments and 11 ministries /province office’s official websites were designed and introduced to the general public. Website operation training sessions were also provided to all IT Officers and officials from local and provincial level respectively. When talked about this great achievement, he attributed to the success to the team work and professional spirits of his colleagues in LGCDP Program.

With Panch Dev’s ongoing efforts to improve the mechanism of information and telecommunication between government entities, citizens and related stakeholders, his impact can be reflected by witnessing an overall improved governance efficiency at local as well as on provincial level.