Talk Series III: Workshop on Design Thinking

Pulchowk, January 24: A hall at Embark College was filled with inquisitive students gathered for the third session of the Entrepreneurship Talk Series organized by Hult Prize at IOE, Pulchowk Campus. The title of this session was intriguing: it was a Workshop on Design Thinking. The purpose of the session was to empower participants with the ability to think creatively and design their ideas effectively, helping them create a lasting impression during their upcoming pitching sessions.

The program started promptly at 1:00 P.M. with Simran Shrestha, a third-year BCT student at Pulchowk Campus, serving as the host. Participants had pre-registered for the event and were eager to learn from our distinguished speaker, Mrs. Hima Bista.

The program officially began with a traditional Khada presentation by Miss Riyaj Nepal, the Campus Director of Hult at IOE, Pulchowk Campus. The host then provided a brief overview of our key speaker's background.

Mrs. Hima Bista is the Executive Director of Women LEAD Nepal, an organization dedicated to empowering young Nepali women to realize their full potential as future leaders. A passionate feminist and advocate for social justice, Hima focuses on critical issues such as gender-based violence and has been a strong voice in campaigns for Dignified Menstruation and Rage Against Rape. With 24 years of leadership experience at Possible | Nyaya Health Nepal and DFID Nepal (UKAID), she has improved healthcare access for marginalized communities and promoted gender equity. Additionally, Hima is a director of Hajuri Khadya Udyog (Kitchen Recipe) and co-founder of Achaar Ghar: House of Pickles, and she has shared her insights as a guest speaker on various platforms in Nepal, inspiring many young individuals to drive positive societal change.

The session commenced with Mrs. Bista discussing the importance of background. She encouraged all participants to introduce themselves and share their personal stories, emphasizing how an individual’s background influences their ideas. She also highlighted the significance of empathy, stating that it should be humanized and applied appropriately, connecting with someone's ideas often requires empathy.

Mrs. Bista then shared her life story and illustrated how she utilized a practical approach to design thinking to navigate life’s challenges. She explained her journey to becoming the director of Hajuri Khadya Udyog and co-founder of Achaar Ghar. The initiative for Achaar Ghar began in her home, started by her mother, who was passionate about creating something meaningful in her life by using her exceptional pickling skills. While Mrs. Bista did not participate directly in the production process, she played a central role in marketing and brand endorsement. She also led the establishment of Achaar Ghar, a restaurant that initially opened in Patan and has since expanded to multiple branches, where customers can enjoy free pickle tastings.

During her talk, participants were given beads and challenged to create interesting designs within 5 minutes, showcasing their creativity. She also encouraged everyone to write down their thoughts to reflect their mental processes and approaches.

The event featured an engaging Q&A session, where participants had the chance to win discount coupons from Botanical Bites and Ralycos Nepal for their enthusiastic involvement and correct answers.

To honor the contributions, Mrs. Bista received a handcrafted wooden token of appreciation from our gifting partner, CNC Kasthakala Nepal, as well as a plant from our in-kind sponsor, The Plant Room Nepal, and a perfume from our gifting partner, Call Me Aroma.

The session concluded with a comprehensive discussion on the importance of shaping and designing one’s thought process. Participants were introduced to various strategies and tools to develop a mindset capable of addressing challenges and finding solutions in diverse situations. By emphasizing self-awareness, creative problem-solving, and adaptability, the session aimed to enable individuals to approach life's obstacles with confidence and resilience, ultimately fostering both personal and professional growth.