In continuation of our mission to spread cybersecurity awareness across Nepal, we recently collaborated once again with Asian Foundation and WIIT (Women in Information Technology) to host another impactful event—this time at Bal Mandir Secondary School in Nadipur, Pokhara. With Pokhara being one of the most developed and picturesque cities in Nepal, it also faces the challenges of keeping its young, digitally active population safe in an increasingly connected world. Our goal for this event was simple: to arm students with essential cybersecurity knowledge and tools, ensuring they can navigate the digital landscape securely.
Engaging with the Pokhara Youth
Pokhara is a vibrant city known for its natural beauty, thriving tourism, and rapid urbanization. Yet, despite its growth, awareness around online safety remains limited, particularly among students. At Bal Mandir Secondary School, students are tech-savvy and active on social media but are often unaware of the risks that come with their digital activities. This made our cybersecurity awareness event both timely and essential.
Key Cybersecurity Lessons
As in our previous event in Parbat, we aimed to make the learning experience interactive and practical. We covered topics such as:
- Online Privacy: Students learned how to secure their social media profiles and adjust privacy settings to prevent unwanted access to personal information.
- Strong Passwords: We reiterated the importance of creating strong, unique passwords and utilizing two-factor authentication for enhanced security.
- Recognizing Phishing: By showing real-world examples, we helped students identify phishing emails and suspicious links, which are common traps used by cybercriminals.
- Social Media Safety and Security: We taught students to avoid oversharing personal information, be cautious when accepting friend requests, and enable two-factor authentication (2FA). Additionally, they learned how to spot malicious links and avoid clickbait that could compromise their accounts.
Interactive Activities and Hands-On Learning
The highlight of the event was the interactive sessions, where students participated in games and activities designed to reinforce their understanding of cybersecurity. Whether it was through role-playing scenarios or group challenges, the students were deeply engaged, taking home valuable lessons in a fun and memorable way.
The event concluded with an open discussion, allowing students to ask questions and share their thoughts on cybersecurity challenges they face. Their enthusiasm and eagerness to learn were inspiring, reinforcing the importance of conducting such awareness programs regularly. Both teachers and students expressed their appreciation for the initiative, with many asking for follow-up sessions to dive deeper into the subjects.
Expanding Our Cybersecurity Awareness Mission
This event in Pokhara was another step toward our larger goal of making Nepal’s youth aware of the critical importance of cybersecurity. We believe that by continuing to host similar events in other schools and regions, we can build a generation of responsible digital citizens who understand how to protect themselves and their communities online.
If you’re interested in hosting a cybersecurity awareness event at your institution, we would love to collaborate and bring this essential knowledge to more schools and colleges. Together, let’s build a safer digital world for everyone.
