Prativa Thapa
Prativa Thapa, a third-year Geomatics Engineering student at Kathmandu University, has transformed into a leader in geospatial mapping through passion and dedication. In 2023, she made her mark by winning multiple mapathons, showcasing her skills. By 2024, she earned the prestigious OM Guru Advanced Mapper title and became a trainer, championing inclusive and interdisciplinary mapping across Nepal. Now, in 2025, as the Sole Mapping Lead for GES and President of KU YouthMappers, she leads Nepal’s first-ever Mapping Week under GES.
A first-time speaker at SOTM 2025, she will share her leadership journey and Global South perspective.
thapa prativa
Session
In this extended session we want to discuss what motivates people to join the OpenStreetMap community and what makes them stay. Hear the stories of Denis Kasozi, Bayazid Ahmed and Prativa Thapa, three of our community members coming from different backgrounds and countries. Then join our speakers and the session host Walter Mayeku in an extended QA session to share experiences how people come to be part of the contributors.