TEJ Fellowship

The origins of the caste system in Nepal are deeply rooted in its history, functioning as a rigid hierarchy that prioritized Brahmin males above all others. This system has historically attacked the language, literature, and culture of indigenous communities, suppressing their identities and denying them educational opportunities. Only Brahmin males typically had access to learning, which has resulted in generational disadvantages, especially for Dalit and indigenous communities, which persist today.

Statistical evidence shows a significant overrepresentation of Brahmin males in key areas of Nepalese society, including government, educational institutions, and the judiciary. Furthermore, the growing tech industry in Nepal is predominantly dominated by high-caste males, illustrating a continuation of this disparity.

Despite the government implementing affirmative action measures, such as quotas in government jobs and educational institutions, these efforts have been limited. Marginalized communities remain underrepresented in senior positions, and there is no affirmative action in the private sector. Discussions around Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) are often confined to the social sector and are not a part of the broader discourse.

The economic challenges faced by Nepal further exacerbate these inequalities. With limited job opportunities at home, over 771,000 young Nepalese have sought employment abroad. While sectors like IT, sustainable farming, and social ventures show promise, the lack of inclusivity and access for all communities limits the potential of these sectors.

The challenges of Nepal's marginalized populations, including over 70% of the population impacted by caste-based discrimination and over 85% when considering all women, mirror the struggles faced by racial and indigenous minorities globally. There is a noticeable global backlash against DEI initiatives, which often sees marginalized groups blamed during economic or social crises.

In response to these challenges, TEJ has initiated a free nine-month coding bootcamp fellowship designed to make IT education accessible for marginalized youth in Nepal by providing them with the technical and soft skills needed to succeed in the technology sector with competitive pay. This approach addresses local disparities and connects with broader global movements fighting for inclusivity and equity.

Technology for Equity and Justice (TEJ) Fellowship is dedicated to addressing the disparity in access to quality tech education among marginalized communities, including Dalits, indigenous communities, and women. Our flagship initiative, the TEJ Fellowship, provides marginalized youth with access to a world-class computer engineering education. The curriculum is based on the University of Helsinki CS curriculum, known for producing world-class software engineers while aligning with global standards in IT education.

The TEJ Fellowship consists of a rigorous three-stage application process, utilizing rubrics designed to accommodate various forms of marginalization, including caste/ethnicity, gender, disability, and financial background. In the first year, we received 200 applications for 10 positions, and the fact that over 200 applicants are competing for just 10 positions underscores both the necessity and the potential for growth within the IT sector.

The fellowship includes a living stipend of approximately US$150 per month to cover housing and basic needs, making the program accessible to individuals from across the country who would otherwise not have similar opportunities. The fellowship unfolds in three phases:

I) The Software Engineering Bootcamp phase: this phase consists of a comprehensive five-month full-time in-house training program led by a highly experienced IT educator from the US. This phase covers frontend and backend JavaScript skills.

II) The internship phase: focuses on practical application, honing technical expertise, and augmenting soft skills such as communication and job search proficiency, preparing fellows for rewarding career opportunities in Nepal and global tech companies.

III) Employment Phase: After receiving the training and soft skills. TEJ provides extensive support to each fellow in networking with various tech companies globally. Leveraging our mentorship and network, we have achieved 85% placement rates - 70% securing positions within leading IT companies in Nepal and India, and 15% qualifying for further studies in technology in UK and Canada. 10% continue in our Mastery learning pedagogy model.

Moreover, fellows gain access to networking opportunities and exposure to global experts, including a lead trainer with experience in Fortune 500 companies, who was the CTO of the first Nepali-origin company to be listed on the Nasdaq stock exchange. Guidance for job placement and continued career advancement further enhances their prospects in the tech industry.

In addition to the full-time nine-month Fellowship, TEJ has launched the Pre Bootcamp for Young Women, a tailored program that recognizes the unique challenges faced by female Fellows in the tech sector. This initiative goes beyond the traditional fellowship model, offering a comprehensive three-month program enriched with education, community engagement, networking opportunities, and mentorship. The program currently has ten fellows comprised of students from government high school computer science programs and recipients of scholarships in various college-level IT programs.

TEJ remains dedicated to promoting an inclusive and just society where every individual has equitable access to opportunities and resources in the tech sector. By providing initiatives like the TEJ Fellowship and the Pre Bootcamp for Young Women, we strive to bridge the gap and ensure equitable access to all, regardless of background or circumstances.

In addition to providing technology training, good paying jobs, and career guidance to our fellows, TEJ's impact extends to multiple levels, at individual, sectoral, and societal levels.

At the individual level, our program serves as a lifeline for first generation college graduates, offering them opportunities to overcome the class divide and achieve economic empowerment through positions in the tech industry. By providing access to learning materials, guidance, and mentoring, we are breaking down barriers that have traditionally prevented individuals from marginalized communities from pursuing careers in tech. Moreover, our fellows serve as inspiration and role models, expanding the imaginations and aspirations of Dalit and indigenous communities in Nepal. As Marian Wright Edelman said, "You can’t be what you can’t see." By showcasing the achievements of our fellows, we aim to create positive role models and inspire confidence in others to pursue their dreams.

At the sectoral level, our program promotes inclusivity by advocating for the hiring of TEJ fellows, who bring diverse perspectives and experiences to the table. This not only increases diversity within the tech industry but also fosters creativity and innovation, ultimately leading to the development of more inclusive and impactful technologies that benefit society as a whole. Moreover, our success can serve as a model for other sectors to follow, leading to broader systemic changes in Nepal's workforce.

TEJ's commitment to creating an inclusive and equitable tech industry in Nepal is transformative, not only for the individuals it serves but also for the broader community. By providing opportunities for Nepal’s most underserved communities, such as Dalit and indigenous communities, to thrive in the tech sector, TEJ is paving the way for a more equitable future.

TEJ was founded by three individuals with direct experience of marginalization from both the state and society, with two coming from the Dalit community and one from an indigenous background. I, Benju Lwagun, am one of the co-founders, and a Dalit woman who has faced the intersecting challenges of caste discrimination and patriarchy. My story sheds light on the obstacles that women from marginalized backgrounds encounter in accessing education and breaking free from both caste and gender constraints. Together, as founders, we possess a deep understanding of the struggles faced by our communities.

Our experiences motivate us to ensure equitable access to quality education for all young people from marginalized communities. We believe in providing individuals with the tools and knowledge necessary for success. As two of my fellow co-founders have found opportunities through the tech sector, we saw the immense potential of  IT education and initiated coding boot camps. For instance, consider Raju, a young man with speech challenges from one of the most marginalized ethnic groups. After graduating from our program, he has now become a skilled software engineer and secured a position at one of Nepal's premier tech firms.

Diversity is integral to our mission. Our team comprises individuals from marginalized communities, and we are committed to increasing female representation. In addition to our founding team, our instructor Niru Magar is an indigenous woman who personally understands the hardships of economic deprivation and social marginalization. One of the inaugural TEJ fellows, Niru has stayed on as an instructor.  Using her personal experience and professional experience as a teacher ensures that our solutions are both technically robust and culturally sensitive.

At TEJ, building a diverse team is not merely a checkbox exercise; it is about fostering trust within the community. We actively engage with community members such as; our alumni, fellows, and senior advisors to gather feedback and refine our programs to better meet their needs. We also collaborate with local leaders and educators to encourage greater female participation in our initiatives, ensuring inclusivity.

Moreover, we are open to acknowledging and learning from our limitations. We continuously refine our strategies based on community feedback and address emerging challenges. For instance, our Pre-Bootcamp for Young Women Fellowship program was developed in response to feedback from our alumni network, specifically tailored to support young women navigating the unique obstacles in the tech industry.

At TEJ, we remain connected to the community, committed to diversity, and dedicated to continuous improvement. By prioritizing proximity to those we serve, embracing diversity, and fostering collaboration, we strongly believe that we can impact the lives of marginalized communities in Nepal.

Launched in 2022, TEJ Fellowship is currently in its pilot phase. We have successfully completed our second-year fellowship program, graduating a total of 18 fellows. A notable achievement is that 45% of our fellows are female, predominantly from  government (public) schools. 85% of our fellows from both cohorts have secured further placement with 70% finding employment in various companies across Nepal and India and 15% qualifying for further studies in technology in UK and Canada, underscoring the effectiveness of TEJ Fellowship.

Additionally, our Pre Bootcamp for Young Women Fellowship first cohort is currently completed. This initiative involved ten fellows who were students from government high school computer science programs and scholarship recipients in college-level IT programs.

While TEJ Fellowship has been launched in at least one community, we are still in the process of iterating our design and business model. We are actively seeking guidance and collaboration from various professionals to expand our reach. Our aim is to increase the number of fellows, which aligns with our overarching goal of bringing gender parity to the IT sector, and making it more equitable and accessible to marginalized young individuals.

TEJ Fellowship has been making promising strides in the field of equitable IT education for marginalized communities in Nepal. As a result, all of our fellows that applied for jobs have secured employment in diverse companies with competitive salaries. However, as a new organization with limited resources, we believe we can achieve even greater impact with the right support. 

By becoming a Solver, we will have access to a wide network of experts, mentors, and resources that can help us overcome complex challenges and scale our impact. Being selected as a Solver will also validate our innovative approach and solutions on a global level, enhancing our credibility and visibility. 

Additionally, MIT Solve facilitates collaborations with other innovative organizations and funders, which can help us leverage complementary strengths and resources to achieve an even greater impact. We believe that participating in MIT Solve programs and events will offer valuable learning opportunities, insights, and feedback that we can use to refine our strategies and improve our outcomes. 

Finally, MIT Solve provides access to funding opportunities, grants, and in-kind support, which can be critical in sustaining and scaling our initiatives. Overall, applying for MIT Solve aligns with our mission of bringing equitable education and driving positive change within the marginalized communities in Nepal. We are confident that with the support of MIT Solve, we can reach our full potential and create a better future for our target communities.

Here are some of the most important reasons that make TEJ Fellowship unique. 

1. Free Quality Education: Primarily, the program is focused towards delivering advanced technological education to young individuals. Specifically students from marginalized and underrepresented communities that make up 70% of the population such as; Dalit and indigenous communities. TEJ Fellowship has formulated a comprehensive nine-month coding curriculum. This initiative aims to equip participants with the requisite skills to emerge as proficient software engineers. A software engineering degree is considered one of the most expensive degrees in Nepal. Notably, TEJ Fellowship extends its support by covering all associated costs, thereby ensuring that financial barriers do not impede the access of talented individuals from marginalized communities to top-tier technology education.
2. Tailored Curriculum: The TEJ Fellowship is designed to cater to the needs and challenges of marginalized communities in Nepal, such as Dalits, indigenous communities, and women. The fellowship provides a customized curriculum that addresses specific issues relevant to the local context, such as quality tech education, employment, and sustainable development. Through this program, fellows gain the necessary knowledge and skills to drive positive change in their communities.
3. Focus on Impact: TEJ Fellowship emphasizes creating tangible outcomes that benefit the target groups. Through learning and mentorship, fellows gain skills and knowledge to become financially independent and prioritize impact and sustainability.
4. Diverse Network: The fellowship aims to create an inclusive and diverse community of fellows, mentors, and partners with varied backgrounds, perspectives, and expertise. This network provides essential support and resources to fellows while also encouraging cross-sector collaboration and knowledge exchange. This enriches the learning experience and expands opportunities for creating a positive impact.
5. Capacity Building: The TEJ Fellowship program aims to enhance fellows' capacity by providing them with training, mentorship, and networking opportunities. This program equips participants with skills to lead, innovate, and make a positive impact in the tech sector.

The TEJ Fellowship's approach such as; its customized curriculum, emphasis on creating a meaningful impact, inclusive community, and focus on skill development make it innovative and essential for the marginalized youth in Nepal. The program's diverse network and capacity-building initiatives ensure that every fellow is well-equipped to make a mark in the tech sector. 

TEJ Fellowship is an initiative that aims to enable marginalized communities in Nepal by providing them with access to quality technology education and skill-building opportunities. By doing so, we are enabling these communities to break free from the cycle of discrimination and poverty. Our mission is to create a sustainable future for young people of these communities in Nepal, and we believe that by investing in their education and skills, we can achieve this goal. 

Here are some of the reasons how and why we expect it to have an impact:

Purpose:

Provide equitable access to education, jobs, and representation for Nepal's marginalized communities in tech.

Inputs:

• Funding for program implementation.

• Curriculum development resources.

• Trainers and mentors.

• Access to technology and the internet.

Activities:

1. Identify individuals and communities belonging to marginalized groups who may be interested in participating in the program.

2. Develop and deliver an educational curriculum that focuses on technology and relevant skills.

3. Organize workshops to cultivate confidence and enhance advocacy abilities.

4. Offer mentorship and assistance with job placement and career development support.

5. Help fellows find jobs in various tech companies, both national and international, by leveraging our network.

Outputs:

• Trained individuals with technology degrees.

• Increased confidence and empowerment among fellows.

• Gained access to job opportunities through the fellowship program.

• Increased representation of marginalized communities in the tech industry. 

Pillars/ Outcomes of the Fellowship:

• Fellows will experience positive change in their livelihoods, leading to increased economic opportunities.
• TEJ Fellows will contribute to greater diversity and inclusivity in the tech sector in Nepal and globally. 
• The fellowship program will strengthen advocacy and problem-solving abilities among marginalized communities in Nepal. 

Impact of the Fellowship:

• Improve the social and economic well-being of communities in Nepal that have been marginalized.

• The formation of more inclusive and equitable workplaces within the tech industry.

• Change the face of the technology industry in Nepal from the male elite caste to one that more closely represents the country's diversity and gender balance.

Here are some of the effective strategies TEJ Fellowship can use to measure progress towards its impact goals and make data-informed decisions to enhance its transformative impact on marginalized communities in Nepal. 

Impact Goals for TEJ Fellowship:

1. Increased Access to Education: The fellowship program aims to ensure that 100% of candidates from marginalized communities such as Dalits, indigenous communities, and women will acquire Software Engineering Bootcamp Fellowship and skills by the end of the program.

2. Job Opportunities: The objective of the program is to ensure that at least 95% of the graduates secure jobs within six months of completing the fellowship. The primary emphasis will be on placing them in the tech industry or related fields. Based on our experience, we are on target in meeting our intended goal thus far.

3. Representation: The program aims to attain a 50% increase in the representation of marginalized communities in the tech sector workforce in Nepal within five years of program implementation.

TEJ Fellowship’s Progress Measurement Plan:

1. Skill Acquisition: The TEJ Fellowship monitors the percentage of fellows who complete the courses and assessments. The aim is to have at least 90% of the fellows complete the coding bootcamp. Currently, we have achieved a 100% completion rate among all the fellows.

2. Employment Placement Rate: Monitor the number of fellowship graduates who find employment within six months of completing the program. Collect data on job titles, sectors, and salary levels.

3. Workforce Representation: TEJ Fellowship conducts regular diversity audits in the tech sector to track the participation of underrepresented communities by utilizing personal networks and interactions with stakeholders. The aim is to compare the data before and after the fellowship to measure progress toward the goal of a 50% increase in workforce representation.

At TEJ Fellowship, we have successfully adapted the proven model of the coding bootcamp from the global north to produce world-class software engineers from marginalized communities of Nepal, with a primary focus on equity, justice, and gender parity. Coding bootcamps have been around in the US for more than a decade now, and have proven to be successful in filling the shortage of software engineers. They allow people from diverse backgrounds and ages to change careers to software engineering; the time commitment to skill up to a new profession is shortened from the traditional four-year college to an intensive three to six months full-time bootcamp, also reducing the cost of education by as much as one-tenth. This produces an incredible return on investment where graduates regularly receive six-figure salaries right out of the bootcamp. We know this through data, and personal experience as two of our board members have studied and taught at coding bootcamps, and another is a co-founder and head of engineering at a Silicon Valley startup that has hired from bootcamps.

We have applied the bootcamp model to succeed in the Nepali context, with the goal of reducing inequity. Our full-time, full-stack coding bootcamp is for the historically marginalized communities, prioritizing gender parity. To make the bootcamp truly accessible, we have not only made it free but also provided a living wage stipend. The majority of our fellows are first-generation college students whose families are not in a position to support them financially, so they would not be able to attend a full-time fellowship even if it was free.

With our knowledge of the industry and coding bootcamps, we have come up with the best curriculum to position our fellows with the most relevant tech skills to land the best-paying jobs. Our teaching methodology has evolved from trying to implement the best teaching practices, and at the same time keeping the Nepali education culture in perspective. We have blended flipped classrooms, Socratic methods, and mastery learning to work in our context.

Even though our classes are in person, we conduct them on Zoom for three reasons - 1) it is easier to show programming on a computer-shared screen than on a board 2) the sessions can be recorded for our fellows to review after the classes 3) we are trying to perfect holding fully remote classes for future fellows that might not be able to attend in-person classes (e.g. persons with disabilities)

All of our curriculum, lesson plans, resources, and recorded videos are stored on GitHub, which is an online developer platform that is used primarily for storing and sharing code. We have tweaked its usage to fit our purposes of also using it as a collaborative website and learning management system that evolves with each iteration.

We are strong believers in not re-inventing the wheel, but we feel we have evolved the wheel to climb new heights. We are building the workforce that will power the next generation of equitable technology solutions.

We currently have three full-time employees. Here are the details.

Rushil Shakya, Co-Founder / Lead Instructor - https://www.linkedin.com/in/rushilshakya/

Benju Lwagun, Co-Founder / Director of Growth - https://www.linkedin.com/in/benju-lwagun-354477a8/

Niru Magar, Bootcamp Instructor - https://www.linkedin.com/in/nirumagar/

From the outset of the TEJ Fellowship, all of our founders, including myself, have been deeply involved since the conceptualization phase. We have been working together for four years, overseeing every step from planning to execution. Our team comprises individuals from diverse backgrounds, each bringing a wealth of knowledge, expertise, and unique experiences that enrich our collaborative efforts. This diversity has been instrumental in crafting a holistic approach to addressing the challenges of equitable IT education for the more than 70%  marginalized communities in Nepal, ensuring that our solutions are well-rounded and impactful for our target groups. 

At TEJ Fellowship, diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) are the guiding principles that shape everything we do. We've carefully curated a team that reflects the rich tapestry of the communities we serve because we believe that diversity is our greatest strength. For example, our founders, are three individuals from diverse backgrounds, two of them are from the Dalit community and one member is from an ethnic minority who deeply understands the value of these pillars. Our team makeup isn't just a coincidence – it's deliberate. We know that people from diverse backgrounds bring a deeper understanding of the experiences, challenges, and needs of vulnerable communities. They share similar cultural and socioeconomic backgrounds, fostering trust, empathy, and connection with those we aim to support.

But it's not just our founders – our team of fellows also reflects this commitment to diversity. Hailing from various backgrounds and places, they bring a multitude of perspectives, ideas, and problem-solving approaches to the table. Their insights and solutions pave the way for more innovative and effective interventions tailored to the unique needs of vulnerable communities.

In our environment, every member – including our TEJ fellows – is valued and heard. We listen attentively to their challenges and work tirelessly to find solutions. For instance, during our bootcamp, we recognized that our female fellows needed a more tailored curriculum to excel in the tech sector. So, we listened to their feedback and devised a new initiative called the Pre  Bootcamp for Young Women. This program is designed exclusively to empower young girls to thrive in the tech sector, serving as a stepping stone for their journey through our 9-month bootcamp.

Moreover, our commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) extends to decision-making and leadership roles. By involving people from diverse backgrounds in these positions, we equip marginalized communities to have a voice in the programs and services that directly affect them. This representation promotes inclusivity, equity, and social justice within the community, ensuring that everyone has a seat at the table and a chance to shape their future. At TEJ Fellowship, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) isn't just a goal – it's the heart and soul of everything we do.

TEJ Fellowship offers a nine-month full-time full-stack free Coding Bootcamp to youth from marginalized communities that will train them to become world-class software engineers by not only helping them truly understand technology but also equipping them with soft skills and networking; then we guide the Fellows to interview placements that will translate to good job opportunities. To make our coding bootcamp truly accessible to those who need it the most, we offer a living wage equivalent stipend for the duration of the bootcamp so that our fellows do not need to worry about their necessities during their fellowship. We define our success not just by the number of Fellows that receive the final certification, but also by our retention rates, and above all the actual job placement rates. This is key to our success, as our revenue model is tied to income share with our Fellows once they reach a certain salary. The revenue goes primarily towards paying the staff (~50%), and stipends and expenses for Fellows (~40%).

Donors are a major stakeholder for TEJ Fellowship that will enable us to scale to our five-year goal of filling at least 20% of the new good Software Engineering jobs in Nepal. We need funding until we become sustainable, which is when our alumni will have reached the numbers and salary where their income share will constitute a significant portion of our revenue. The IT industry in Nepal is another stakeholder that will be benefiting from the availability of well-trained software engineers to fuel the projected growth. As of our current conversations with the leaders in the industry, we are still trying to figure out a revenue model through this channel.

Our long-term impact is to change who is represented in the highly paid IT industry, which as of now is dominated by the elite upper caste male. We will bring gender parity and work towards representation of the 70% marginalized majority of Nepal, including the Dalit and indigenous communities. This will not only break the cycle of generational poverty and discrimination in the immediate families of our Fellows, but will bring changes to their communities as already evidenced by our Fellows - Suraj from our initial cohort was influenced by a board member from the same community, and Aarju in our second cohort got inspired by Sudesh from the first cohort. They will all be role models and mentors for the next generations as they change the face of the industry; we will not have to hear stories like the one encountered by Niru Magar, one of our current instructors who herself was a Fellow in the first cohort - when she told her ride-hail driver, a person from an indigenous community, that she was a software engineer, he blurted out in disbelief “when did someone from your community get so smart?”

Ensuring financial sustainability is crucial for the long-term success and impact of TEJ Fellowship. Our long term goal is to be at least 90% self-sustainable with revenues meeting our expenses. The primary revenue model will be via income share with our Fellows when they are ready. Our calculated cost per Fellow comes to around $5,000. With our first two cohorts, the average starting salary has been $4,000 per annum, which is at the top of the market for a new Software Engineer in Nepal. We realize that for our Fellows coming from marginalized communities, though the starting salary is very high compared to others, they will not have enough disposable income in the first few years. After covering their expenses, they also have families depending on them as they quickly transition to being the primary breadwinners. Extrapolating from anecdotal data, our Fellows' salary trends, and talking to industry veterans, we calculate that our Fellows' salary will hit the $10,000 mark in about two years at which point they will be able to comfortably start sharing a percentage of their income with TEJ Center. We are looking at collecting the $5,000 from our Fellows in a span of five years from when they start paying. At this point, we are yet to start collecting revenue; but judging by the ownership our Fellows and Alumni have demonstrated including unprompted donations, we feel confident that our model will be successful without putting a burden.

TEJ Center will be able to start collecting revenues in another two years, and a total of about five years before we reach sustainability. Till that point, we have built our strategy around five pillars: seed investments, sweat equity, foundation and grants, corporate partnerships, and individual donors.

1. Seed investments: Our first two cohorts have been funded by seed investments from our co-founders. They were run as pilot projects for proof of concept.

2. Sweat equity: The co-founders have been putting in sweat equity till we reach profitability.

3. Foundations and grants: We are identifying grant opportunities that fund projects similar to TEJ's mission and objectives. We have started applying for grants and have received positive feedback regarding future actions that can translate to fundings.

4. Corporate partnerships: We are Identifying businesses that align with TEJ's mission and values, and seeking opportunities, such as sponsorship of specific programs or events. We have received sponsorship from corporate partners who see our value in what we can deliver to their ecosystem.

5. Individual donors: We are looking at holding online fundraising campaigns from individual supporters. Some will create their fundraising campaigns on behalf of TEJ, leveraging their networks.

So far, we have not started any formal campaigns, but already have received proactive donations and pledges from corporate partners and individuals.