Bridging the Digital Divide: How Cosog Nepal is Revolutionizing Computer Science Education
How Cosog Nepal Revolutionizing
2nd November 2025, Kathmandu
In 2022, when global headlines were dominated by the rapid advancements of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and cutting-edge STEM education, the reality inside many Nepalese schools was starkly different.
How Cosog Nepal Revolutionizing
Computers were scarce, internet connectivity was erratic, and the concept of collaborative, project-based learning was virtually nonexistent.
This significant gap bothered Bibek Bhandari, who had returned to his old high school as a STEM instructor. Recognizing that technology was advancing globally while students in Nepal lagged behind, he realized the issue wasn’t just about tools it was about culture.
This frustration was the catalyst. It led Bibek Bhandari, the organization’s founder and former president, to start Coding for Social Good Nepal (Cosog Nepal) alongside current president Aashish Panthi.
Their mission was clear: to bring hands-on computer science education and STEM initiatives to students across the country. Aashish, a young tech enthusiast from Butwal, shared Bibek’s vision, aiming to replicate the positive impact he had created through his high school’s ICT club.
“We realised very quickly that we wanted the same thing,” Aashish Panthi recalls. “To use our interest in technology for social work, to build a community, and to use the coding skills for a social cause that actually helps society.”
Building a Community from the Ground Up
The organization’s journey began with a simple logo design and a clear name. Bibek met Aashish through social media, connecting over a shared passion for technology and social impact.
Their first official event at Green Village English Boarding Secondary School in Kirtipur proved the model’s potential.
The Initial Impact: The team shared concepts in digital and internet literacy, provided handbooks, and, most importantly, introduced the transformative idea of a Computer Science (CS) Club.
A Continuous Support System: Cosog Nepal’s unique approach involves more than just a single visit. After events mixing demonstrations and discussions, they stay connected via WhatsApp and Discord, acting as an ongoing support system for student-led tech communities.
This strategy of active engagement has enabled Cosog Nepal to reach approximately 35 schools across Nepal, nurturing a generation of young tech leaders.
Signature Programs: Code for Charity and E-STEM Fellowship
As the community grew, Cosog Nepal launched flagship programs designed to translate learned skills into real-world impact and career opportunities.
| Program | Focus | Key Outcome |
| Code for Charity | Connecting student volunteers with real-world projects from NGOs/INGOs (e.g., National Adolescence Boys Network Nepal, Sustainable Actions Afrika). | Provides students with hands-on software development experience following the Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC). |
| Cosog Nepal E-STEM Fellowship | A four-month program pairing high school students with mentors to learn programming and apply it to solve environmental problems. | Global recognition: Winner of the Global E-STEM Award by the North American Association for Environmental Education. |
These projects are more than just assignments; they are a commitment to professional growth. Through partnerships with companies like Corner Tech (Nepal) and Fleckor Tech (India), students who excel in Code for Charity gain access to valuable internship and job opportunities.
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Guiding the Future: Career Pathways in Tech
Recognizing that many high school students were unsure about pursuing Computer Science after Grade 12, Cosog Nepal organized the “CS in +2” program.
This vital event brought together speakers from diverse fields an Apple SWE intern, a professor, a women in STEM leader, and a tech CTO to provide comprehensive career counseling.
The online program saw massive engagement:
200+ students attended the live session.
1,000+ students viewed the recorded videos across social media platforms.
National and Global Recognition
The dedication of Cosog Nepal and its founders has earned significant acclaim, underscoring their success in social innovation and youth empowerment:
Cosog Nepal (Code for Charity): Semi-finalist for the ICT Award 2025 in the Social Innovation category.
Bibek Bhandari: Winner of the Citizen Entrepreneurship Award in Berlin (2023) and a recipient of the prestigious Diana Award (2024).
Aashish Panthi: Titled Glocal’s 20 under 20 and a finalist for Glocal Teen Hero Nepal 2024 for his exceptional leadership in transforming CS education.
The Larger Fight for Education in Nepal
While celebrating these achievements, Aashish Panthi notes that the organization’s work is ultimately addressing a systemic issue: the need for proper investment and implementation of computer science education across the nation.
“While the new interim government has mandated to have at least one Computer Science teacher in every school, our fight is much larger,” he states. “We want the resources in schools to be properly used by students. We’ll continue to help them through our different programs, articles, handbooks, and social media.”
From a simple desire to bridge a gap, Cosog Nepal has become a powerful social enterprise and a vibrant tech community.
The organization, started by two strangers, is now a beacon of hope, empowering Nepalese students to use technology not just for personal gain, but for genuine social good.
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