September 15, Kathmandu.
Five students from Tribhuvan University’s Central Department of Journalism and Mass Communication have completed a week-long study tour on AI and digital communication in Sichuan, China.
In the program organized under the academic collaboration between TU’s Central Department of Journalism and the University of Electronic Science and Technology of China (UESTC), Nepali students gained theoretical and practical knowledge on topics such as how to use AI in the daily workflow of a newsroom, digital content production and visual storytelling, and fake news identification and management.
Nepal-China relations have completed 71 years. Various activities have been ongoing to connect friendly relations not just from government-to-government but also at the people-to-people level. Under this, academic cooperation will continue in the future, informed Professor Chang Xun of UESTC.
Anusha Kafle, Diksha Rai, Monica Waiba, Laxman Giri, and Priyanka Sunar from the Central Department participated in the program. The Nepali team was led by Assistant Professor Dr. Rishikesh Dahal of the Central Department.
Dr. Dahal of the Central Department informed that academic cooperation between Nepal and China will continue in the future.
‘This kind of academic collaboration helps to understand the dimensional changes in communication,’ said Dahal. ‘There is a huge digital divide in media technology between China and Nepal. To enhance digital capabilities, more Nepali students studying journalism and communication will go to China for study in the future.’
Seven participants were from TU, while there were two participants each from Pokhara University and Lumbini Buddhist University. One participant was from Kathmandu University. Sharmila Gorkhali and Israfil Gadi from Lumbini Buddhist University, Shristi Khadka and Amrit Bagale from Pokhara University participated, while Shiva Thapa Magar from Kathmandu University participated.
Head of the Central Department of Journalism and Mass Communication, Prof. Dr. Kundan Aryal, stated that as the collaboration with UESTC continues, more students will get opportunities in the coming years.
Dr. Aryal had gone to UESTC last year to teach as a visiting professor for intercultural communication. Professor Dr. Chang has also been participating in teaching as a visiting professor in the Central Department.
From AI to Human-Machine Collaboration
During the week-long program, thematic discussions were held on various topics related to AI and communication technology. Participants studied the use of AI tools in newsrooms, news production in human-machine collaboration, management of false and misleading information in the AI era, the role of communication in rural development through AI, and the digital game industry and its social and cultural value.
Similarly, training was provided on micro-drama production using AI and the fundamental aspects of AI Generative Content (AIGC). Participants reported gaining practical knowledge on how to make news and other digital content more effective using modern communication technology. Participants were also given on-site visits to various institutions connected with China’s technology, communication, and creative industries.
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From Communication Institutions to Supercomputing Centers
During the study tour, Nepali students visited CCTV’s iPand channel located at the Chengdu Giant Panda Breeding Research Base. There, information was provided on content production and digital broadcasting targeting international audiences.
The team visited the Chengdu National Supercomputing Center, Chengdu Science and Technology Innovation Ecological Island, Tianfu Changdao Digital Cultural and Creative Park, and Sichuan Heart Future Robot Park. Through these visits, direct information was provided about the developments in supercomputing, robotics, AI, and the digital creative industry.
Similarly, in understanding the practices of the communication and film sector, the visiting team also observed institutions such as Sichuan University of Media and Communication and Chengdu Film and Television City. Participants also gained practical knowledge about the Metaverse Experience Center, AIGC workshop, virtual production studios, and motion-capture technology.
Direct Observation of Chinese Communication Practices
As another important aspect of the program, participants visited Sichuan Newsnet Group and Sichuan TV. Laxman Giri, a participant in the tour, stated that during the visit, they received information about news production, digital communication, and the use of technology.
‘While communication institutions in Nepal are shrinking, we got to experience how China is strengthening its communication institutions,’ said Giri, who is pursuing a master’s degree in the journalism department. ‘The level of technology and development with which their media operates and the way teaching is conducted there was a great learning experience for us.’
Similarly, the visiting team also had the opportunity to study China’s ancient civilization, culture, and history. Participants stated that the visit to the Sanxingdui Museum provided information on how China is preserving its culture and civilization alongside technology and modern communication.
Second Year of China-Nepal Academic Collaboration
Tribhuvan University’s Central Department of Mass Communication and Journalism stated that this is the second year of the China-Nepal Youth Academic Exchange Program conducted in collaboration with UESTC. In the first phase last year, postgraduate students and two professors from the Central Department had also participated.
The department stated that the program provided Nepali students with international experience regarding new practices in the rapidly changing journalism and communication sector due to the rapid development of AI, as well as laid the foundation for expanding academic and professional relations between youth, universities, and the communication sectors of Nepal and China.
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