WLiT Fellowship
Pokhara 2024/25.
An elite, comprehensive nine-month engineering and systemic leadership incubator designed to accelerate high-potential female computer science students into sovereign roles within the tech ecosystem.
The Intensive Bootcamp Track
The fellowship launched with an intensive two-week engineering sprint blending remote modular deep dives with high-fidelity physical labs at Tuki Resort. This multi-track layout focused on deploying industrial full-stack web applications alongside leadership frameworks.
Software Engineering Topics
Introduction to JavaScript
Foundational programming paradigms, syntax compilation, and execution cycles.
Advanced JS & DOM Events
Dynamic web document rendering, event listeners, and interactive UI behavior.
Advanced JS (Async/Await)
Asynchronous data fetch lifecycles, promises, and network optimization state engines.
Node.js & ExpressJS Systems
Backend runtime configurations, API engineering, server routing, and request pipelines.
Git & Collaborative Workflows
Distributed version control system architectures, merging protocols, and team repos.
ExpressJS & MongoDB Database
NoSQL document store design, data normalization, modeling, and deep CRUD operations.
Blockchain 101 Frameworks
Introduction to distributed ledger mechanics, smart contracts, and decentralized data spaces.
*Practical Sandbox Milestone: Every fellow successfully developed, optimized, and containerized a comprehensive software application under real-time code reviews.
Systemic Leadership Track
Strategic Goal Settings & Time Planning
Frameworks for mapping high-impact performance tracks and production sprint timings.
Design Thinking & Problem Analysis
User-centric ideation, structural bottleneck discovery, and strategic debugging.
#IamRemarkable Workshops
Empowering underrepresented tech professionals to confidently navigate career positioning.
Queer Inclusivity & Accessible Tech
Building multi-capable user environments matching modern global human-centric access rules.
Empathy & Semantic Leadership
Navigating professional team communications, psychological safety models, and management paths.
The 3-Day Production Hackathon
Fellows were organized into cross-functional development cohorts paired with industry engineers (“Tech Moms” & “Group Moms”) to build functional open-source solutions:
EcoQuest
Built by: Subi, Ankita, Sarika
A gamified climate-tech environment built to prompt sustainable habits via point-based daily challenges and milestone badge systems. Tracks progress dynamically via responsive user dashboards, shared communities, and curated marketplaces.
WP Notifier
Built by: Swostika, Subina, Laxmi Gurung
A public infrastructure utility system linking local sanitation fleets with residential sectors. Enables real-time administrative geo-targeted dashboard scheduling and instant visual alerts to streamline municipal waste handling.
Wander Pokhara
Built by: Rijju, Laxmi Lamichhane, Aayushma
A localized geospatial directory application allowing explorers to safely document, locate, and review unmapped destination markers in the Gandaki region, boosting sustainable community-driven eco-tourism ecosystems.
Pure Drops
Built by: Simran, Pramila, Alija
An educational application teaching younger demographics clean drinking water safety patterns. Blends responsive game modules, interactive logic quizzes, and clear operational blueprints on age-old filtration systems.
Strategic Monthly Meetup Engine
Following the intensive bootcamp, the fellowship rolled into an eight-month masterclass infrastructure. These sessions connected fellows directly with specialized technical tools and industry networks.
CV Architecture & Internet Safety Training
Professional narrative engineering, portfolio building, and cyber hygiene structures. Prepares fellows to act as local cybersecurity advisors.
Enterprise Clean Code & Interview Mastery
Structural analysis of scaling engineering practices and technical interviews. Introduces the '4 Cs of Success': Confidence, Communication, Context, and Connection.
UI/UX Principles & Product Strategy Systems
Deep dive into visual design theories, wireframing paradigms, typography mechanics, resource roadmapping, and lifecycle project risk coordination.
Accessible Technologies & Brand Networking
Aligning software engines with WCAG guidelines and POUR accessibility models. Includes personal branding strategies tailored for global tech spaces.
1-on-1 Engineering Mentorship
A precise six-month pairing matrix matching each tech fellow with an active industry engineering lead. Focuses on setting structured career benchmarks and evaluating early software development outputs.
Phase 1: Alignment
Orientation programs and custom mentor-mentee matches using analytical puzzle problem solvers.
Phase 2: Action Plans
One-on-one monthly deep dives implementing actionable SMART metrics across professional goals.
Phase 3: Connection
Creative peer building activities ('Ramailo Bhela' at Utpala Cafe) to deepen professional network bonds.
Phase 4: Optimization
Focused systemic workshops to help fellows identify workplace values and confidently manage imposter syndrome.
Fellow-Led Regional Coding Clinics
Fellows applied their skills directly by organizing community tech clinics. They managed everything from school outreach proposals to technical delivery, running modules on Internet Safety and foundational visual coding (Scratch) for grades 7–10 in public schools.
10
Public Schools Engaged
484
Total Youth Impacted
259
Male Students Trained
225
Female Students Trained
Challenges & Systemic Optimization
An analytical review of our structural bottlenecks during this iteration and the operational pivots introduced to resolve them:
Market Ecosystem Integration
Refactoring the programmatic focus away from exclusive partner pipelines toward market-ready, elite independent technical profiles, strong portfolio codebases, and versatile networking capacities.
Syllabus vs Academic Calendars
Injecting operational calendar flexibility directly into sprint deliverables, ensuring fellows navigate internal university timelines without decreasing training intensity.
Infrastructure Sourcing Logistics
Establishing formal strategic facility-sharing arrangements with regional technology firms and community centers far ahead of workshop kick-offs.
The Pokhara Fellowship 2024/25 concluded with a celebratory capstone showcase at Crown Himalayan. This marked the transformation of 15 student developers into competitive, collaborative technical professionals ready for the industry.