“Innovation thrives where purpose and people connect.”
Earlier this month, Dr. Lokendra Thakur, Co-Founder of AarogyaTech, had the privilege of addressing a packed room of faculty, students, and healthcare innovators at the Institute of Engineering (IOE), Pulchowk Campus, one of Nepal’s most prestigious engineering institutions. The event, co-hosted by IEEE-Nepal, brought together a cross-generational audience passionate about reshaping healthcare through technology.
Bridging Academia and Applied Innovation
The event’s theme, “Engineering Innovation in Healthcare: Opportunities, Challenges, and the Road Ahead”, set the stage for an engaging and highly participatory session. From undergraduate students to post-graduate researchers and seasoned engineers, attendees contributed bold ideas and asked tough questions. Many also shared firsthand insights from Nepal’s growing health-tech startup ecosystem.
“The conversations, ranging from undergraduates to graduate students, were both stimulating and insightful. Several students shared compelling business cases from emerging local startups, reflecting the rapid transformation underway in the region’s healthcare sector.” — Lokendra Thakur
Spotlight on Aarogya Health Companion (AHC)
AarogyaTech’s own solution, the Aarogya Health Companion (AHC), resonated strongly with the audience. Demonstrations showcased how AHC uses low-cost embedded sensors, multilingual AI, and edge computing to deliver comprehensive health assessments — even in low-bandwidth, resource-constrained environments.
From automatic face authentication to vital sign monitoring and predictive analytics, AHC exemplifies what’s possible when engineering is applied intentionally to solve real-world challenges.
“We learned a great deal about:
- Leveraging low-cost embedded sensors and edge computing to enable vital-sign measurements (BP, ECG, SpO₂) without the need for traditional clinics.
- Using multilingual AI chatbots to provide guided care in local languages.
- Empowering clinicians with remote monitoring and predictive outreach tools.”
— IEEE Nepal Post
A Room Full of Ideas, Energy, and Urgency
The event wasn’t just about technology — it was about collaboration. From local uro-surgeons and CEOs of tech firms to campus deans and global innovation strategists, the room reflected a shared urgency to transform healthcare in Nepal and beyond. Dr. Thakur’s talk inspired a flurry of follow-up discussions, challenging assumptions and sparking new possibilities.
A special thanks goes out to:
- Prof. Sushil Baracharya (Dean) and Dr. Sanjaya Uprety (Campus Chief) for their leadership,
- Basanta Joshi, Apala Timalsina, and Sushant Gautam for facilitating engagement, and
- Visionaries like Dr. Jyoti Tandukar, Manish Sharma, and Pawan Raj Chalise for their contributions to the dialogue.
🌍 What’s Next?
This event marks the beginning of a deeper collaboration between AarogyaTech and institutions like IOE to co-create solutions tailored to the needs of emerging health systems. Together, we hope to empower the next generation of engineers to drive equitable, data-driven healthcare innovations across borders.