LRI School Unveils New Smart Classroom with Support from Chongqing BI Academy

Chongqing - "Applying the best educational practices by redefining international competitiveness so that our students are perfectly prepared for global citizenship," said Dr. Devkant Joshi, the principal of LRI School in Nepal, presented the institution's educational mission in the smart classroom on November 15.

In July 2023, Yuan Jiajun, a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and the secretary of the CPC Chongqing Municipal Committee, led a CPC delegation to Nepal and inaugurated the China-Nepal Friendship Classroom at LRI International School.

LRI, one of Nepal’s most prestigious international schools, has continued to innovate in educational technology. In June 2024, the school officially launched a state-of-the-art smart classroom, built with the support of Chongqing BI Academy, further advancing LRI’s digital learning capabilities.

Dr. Devkant Joshi, the principal of LRI School in Nepal. (Photo/Huang Hong)

The LRI Friendship Classroom features a prominent smart blackboard with an interactive touchscreen display that makes content more visible. The touchscreen can be used for note-taking, zooming, shrinking, and page-turning. 

30 Huawei laptops and wireless headphones are set up on the desks, facilitating discussions and global online courses for both teachers and students. The headphones provide clear audio, enabling accessible communication anywhere in the room.

China has become a major economic partner for Nepal, with bilateral trade growing significantly over the years. As China continues to invest in infrastructure through projects like the China-Nepal Railway and Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), proficiency in Chinese could benefit students in terms of future job opportunities, internships, and business ventures.

"Courses initially started with Chinese language lessons but have since expanded to include subjects like computer science, mathematics, and music. In this learning environment, classes have shifted from one-way transmission to two-way interaction, filled with energy," said Dr. Joshi.

Dr. Joshi noted that while many schools in Kathmandu offer Chinese courses, their teaching methods tend to be traditional and can feel dull. However, with the introduction of new equipment and methods at LRI, student-teacher interaction has increased, boosting student motivation. More students are now voluntarily taking the HSK Chinese Proficiency Test, aiming for future study opportunities in China.

Chongqing BI Academy has signed a strategic cooperation agreement with LRI School of Nepal. (Photo/Chongqing Daily)

Cooperation between Chongqing and Nepal is accelerating not only in secondary education but also in higher education.

Southwest University collaborates with Nepali universities like Kathmandu University and Nepal Agricultural and Forestry University on international student programs and joint academics. Similarly, Chongqing Medical University is discussing medical student exchanges and joint research projects with Nepali institutions.

The increasing cooperation in both secondary and higher education highlights the strengthening of China-Nepal bilateral ties. This cooperation aims to enhance mutual understanding and people-to-people connections as part of the broader China-Nepal educational exchange framework. The exchange of students, academic resources, and teaching methods is expected to drive educational growth in both countries and support long-term collaboration across various fields.