Nepal, primarily an agricultural economy, grapples with acute food shortages, particularly during the dry season. To address this challenge, I spearheaded a collaborative effort at my university in Nepal, partnering with international institutions to tackle prevalent issues faced by rural communities. Our focus was on devising innovative engineering solutions to enhance food security, foster economic development, and provide eco-friendly food storage alternatives.
Project Evolution
Commencing with a core team of six student members, our initiative quickly expanded to encompass 20 dedicated individuals. The collaborative effort spanned three distinguished universities: Institute of Engineering, Pulchowk, Nepal; Tokyo Institute of Technology, Japan; and University of Oslo, Norway.
Solution Design
Our team conceptualized and developed a groundbreaking food preservation system, incorporating an underground storage infrastructure alongside temperature and humidity control mechanisms. The objective was not only to address immediate food security concerns but also to promote sustainable practices, encouraging environmental stewardship.
International Recognition
An integral milestone in our project journey was the presentation of our innovative solution at the Mondialogo Symposium 2009 in Stuttgart, Germany—an event backed by Daimler and UNESCO. Co-presenting with Ben Allan from the Japanese team, we outlined our strategies for alleviating the food security challenges faced by rural Nepali communities. The project garnered the prestigious Mondialogo Engineering Gold Award 2008/09, selected from a pool of 932 project submissions. Recognized for its contribution to the application of engineering sciences and alignment with the United Nations Millennium Development Goals, our project received a €15,000 monetary prize.
Global Impact
Beyond accolades, our project actively contributed to the United Nations Millenium Development Goals through the global pursuit of addressing critical issues such as food security, poverty reduction, and environmental protection. By actively engaging with international institutions, our initiative exemplified the potential of collaborative efforts in advancing sustainable development goals.
International Outreach
To share our experiences and findings, I had the privilege of presenting our project to a group of students in Vancouver, Canada, fostering an informal exchange of ideas. For a more detailed overview, you can access the presentation here.
Conclusion
Our project stands as a testament to the transformative power of collaborative engineering efforts in addressing pressing global challenges. By combining creativity, expertise, and a commitment to sustainable development, our team made meaningful strides toward ensuring food security, economic growth, and environmental conservation in rural Nepal.