Overview
On May 21, 2026, a unveiling ceremony was held in Kathmandu, Nepal, to launch a Smart Classroom at Tribhuvan University (TU). The project was coordinated by the International Centre for Higher Education Innovation under the auspices of UNESCO (UNESCO‑ICHEI), received academic support from Southern University of Science and Technology (SUSTech), and was sponsored by Chinese education‑technology enterprise MAXHUB. This marks the second Smart Classroom in Nepal that MAXHUB has sponsored.
Installation and Training
In September 2024, UNESCO‑ICHEI and MAXHUB engineers traveled to Nepal and, despite frequent power outages during the rainy season and difficult transportation conditions, completed hardware installation and delivered initial teacher training within seven days. A second round of training took place on the morning of May 19, 2026, to familiarize a broader group of local faculty and students with operation and day‑to‑day maintenance.
Classroom Features and Functions
The Smart Classroom is equipped with interactive touchscreens, a lecture recording and broadcasting system, and a built‑in Learning Management System (LMS). These technologies enable hybrid online‑offline teaching, data‑analytics‑driven insights, and video playback. Following inauguration, the classroom will serve four core functions: (1) supporting teaching and learning activities within Tribhuvan University; (2) facilitating implementation of the IIOE Micro‑Certification Programme in Nepal; (3) conducting digital capacity‑building training for teachers; and (4) extending outreach to partner institutions across Nepal and the broader South Asian region.
Attendees and Remarks
The ceremony was attended by Mr. ZHOU Pan (Minister‑Counsellor and Deputy Chief of Mission, Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in Nepal), Prof. Sushil Bahadur Bajracharya (Vice‑Chancellor, Tribhuvan University), Dr. Kedar Prasad Acharya (Secretary, University Grants Commission, Nepal), Prof. Dr. Mahananda Chalise (Registrar, Tribhuvan University), Prof. Bed Raj Acharya (Dean, Faculty of Education, Tribhuvan University), Prof. Binod Prasad Dhakal (Vice‑Chancellor, Lumbini Technological University), Prof. Chitra Bahadur Budhathoki (Coordinator, IIOE Nepal National Centre), Ms. BI Xiaohan (Deputy Director, UNESCO‑ICHEI) and Mr. LI Hao (Regional Director for Southeast Asia and South Asia, MAXHUB). Ms. Xiaohan described the Smart Classroom as “not merely a classroom, but an action platform,” and highlighted its role in the IIOE Nepal National Centre, which was officially unveiled on May 20, 2026, during the Leadership Policy Dialogue in South Asia held at the university. Mr. Hao emphasized that MAXHUB’s donation transforms traditional blackboard teaching into interactive, multi‑sensory learning, and that the recording and AI analytics capabilities allow students in remote regions to access quality educational resources.
Future Collaboration
UNESCO‑ICHEI indicated that it will continue to work with MAXHUB and other partners to provide technical support, system upgrades, and capacity‑building programmes, while collaborating with government agencies, universities, and industry partners to advance digital transformation of higher education in Nepal and across South Asia.
About MAXHUB
Founded in 2017, MAXHUB is a solution provider in integrated commercial display and unified communications. According to Futuresource and TrendForce, MAXHUB holds the world’s No. 1 position in both collaboration boards and all‑in‑one LED displays. The company operates in over 140 countries and regions, maintains local teams in 22 countries, and has eight global subsidiaries.
About UNESCO‑ICHEI
The International Centre for Higher Education Innovation under the auspices of UNESCO (UNESCO‑ICHEI) is based in Shenzhen, China, and was established through cooperation between UNESCO and the Shenzhen Municipal People’s Government. It was approved by the 38th session of the UNESCO General Conference on November 13, 2015, and inaugurated on June 8, 2016. UNESCO‑ICHEI functions as a UNESCO Category 2 Centre focused on higher education.
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