Role of Science Academies in Science Promotion and Science Education Context of Nepal H. N. Bhattara

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Role of Science Academies in Science Promotion
and Science Education Context of
Nepal  H. N. Bhattarai
NAST, Nepal.
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• Introduction
• No need to discuss in this forum the tremendous
  development of Science and Technology in the last
  century and its impact on the development of our
  society.
• The Nobel Laureate, Prof. Abdus Salam has
  rightly said " Gap between the developed and
  developing countries the differences in the
  development are due to difference in the capacity
  of utilization of Science and Technology.
• Pre-requisites for the development of ST
• - Emphasis on science education from the school
  level.
  
• - Inculcating Scientific temper
• - Developing scientific thinking and culture in
  the society.
  
• ST in Nepal
• Nepal is rich in traditional technologies. Some
  of the traditional technologies are even about
  two thousand years old. Nepal being a developing
  country where more than 90 of people still live
  in villages, the impact and the facilities of
  modern technology has yet to be adopted. Nepal
  remained almost ignorant of the importance of the
  development of Science and Technology till the
  mid of the 20th century. Until then the country
  relied almost entirely upon its indigenous
  technology for its development. Establishment of
  modern ST institutions began only after 1951.

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• Modern scientific institutions in Nepal Only
  in the second half of the last century.
  
• The country's first modern University,
  Tribhuvan University, established in 1959.
  
• General Science Education Institutions in
  1960's and Technical Institutes in 1970's.
  
• Several research institutions in University,
  Government private sectors.
  
• First high level policy making body for the
  development of ST
  
• National Council for Science Technology
  (NCST) in 1976.
  
• Establishment of the Then Royal Nepal Academy
  of Science and Technology (RONAST) in 1982 (now
  NAST) by a Royal Ordinance, later by the Act of
  Parliament in 1992.
• The Ministry of Science and Technology (now
  including environment) in 1996.

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• Role of NAST in Promotion of Science, Technology
  and Education
  
• The Act provides NAST with wide range of mandate
  for the development of ST in the country. Since
  its inception the Academy has been involved in
  research and promotion. The main functions
  include
• Undertake and promote studies and research in
  priority areas,
  
• Advise Nepal Government on formulation of
  technology transfer policy and its
  implementation,
  
• Implement ST programs in collaboration with
  national and international organizations,
  
•  Collect and disseminate ST information
  through a central ST information system,
  
• Organize seminars and conferences on ST
  topics and help facilitate ST publications,
  Establish and strengthen linkages with regional
  and international institutions in order to
  promote mutual cooperation,
• Mobilize internal and external resources, both
  financial and technical, for ST development as
  well as to carry out the activities of the
  Academy,
• Give recognition to outstanding individual and
  institutional contribution for development,
  promotion and application of ST,
  
• Increase public awareness of the importance
  and usefulness of ST as well as to create
  conditions conducive of ST application,
  
•   Undertake studies and submit reports on the
  programs and achievements of ST related national
  institutions,

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•   Advise Nepal Government on ST development
  programs,
  
• Advise Nepal Government on the establishment of
  new institutions or laboratories for ST related
  research and development,
  
• Provide financial and technical assistance for
  the establishment and development of new ST
  institutions/laboratories,
  
• Set up exhibit centers for ST related
  inventions and innovative models,
  
• Undertake all necessary measures to achieve
  the goals and objectives of the Academy,  
  
• Present activities of the Academy
• Research activities
•    Biotechnology
•   Natural Products
•   Environment
•   Alternate Energy
•   High Altitude Science and Technology
•   Science and Technology Policy.

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• ST Promotional activities
•    Science Popularization Programs
• - Science Exhibition Science Exhibitions
  to create awareness on Science and Technology
  among the general mass within and outside the
  valley.
• -   Radio Programs weekly science radio
  program over Radio Nepal which has nation wide
  coverage. The program encompasses topical
  commentaries, question-answers, project reports
  and interviews with scientists and technologists.
  Also FM Radio Kantipur
• - Televisions Programs A weekly TV program
  on various ST related topics. Programs
  telecasted range from documentary on indigenous
  technologies to various advance technologies.
• -  Quiz Contests on-the spot quiz contest
  for high school students in different part of the
  country.
  
• - Meet your Scientists Interaction Program
  A forum to discuss the contemporary issues with
  scientists, media personnel other concerned
  people.
• -  School Science Programs Designed for
  school level students and includes science quiz,
  interaction with teachers, local leaders and
  professionals, science video shows etc. This
  program is community based and conducted with
  participatory approach encouraging the local
  communities and the clubs to conduct them.
• -  Publication of Science Magazines and
  Journals Vigyan Lekhmala, (the popular science
  magazine), books and booklets, Research journal
  Nepal Journal of Science and Technology.

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•  Seminars, Workshops, Conferences Local,
  national and regional level seminars and workshop
  from time to time. For example, a seminar on 20
  years Perspective Plan for Science and
  Technology, series of seminars on technology
  transfer at national and regional level. Seminar
  on Intellectual Property Right. Regarding
  conferences the Academy has already conducted
  four National Conferences, which were
  participated by National and International
  Scientists and Technologist.
•   Regularly Consultative Meetings and Talk
  Programs are organized.
  
•      Regular Research Grants and Scholarships
  are provided.
  
•      Awards conferred
• - Nature Conservation Award
• - Science and Technology Academy Award
• - Science and Technology Youth Award
• - NAST Science and Technology Promotion Award
• - Third World Academy of Science for the
  Developing World (TWAS) Award
  
• - Mohan Dhoj Basnyat Technology Award
• - Bhuwaneshwor Award
• - Jeet Bahadur Nakarmi Metal Technology Award.
•         Regular Support to Professional
  Societies.
  
•         ST publication
•         Travel Grants

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• NAST collaboration with T.U., K.U. and other
  Universities
  
• NAST has collaborative relation with
  different Universities and Scientific
  Institutions. NAST is planning to conduct
  different collaborative research activities with
  these Institutions on different areas of ST.
• Conclusion
•   The role of the academy is still limited more
  could be done.
  
•  NAST has not yet involved itself formally in
  science education, particularly in school level.
  However, in higher education research grants for
  master and Ph.D thesis.
• Significant role in promotional activities as
  above.
  
•   State funding very low dilemma of the
  developing country (or least developed country
  like Nepal) in investing for ST.
  
•  Lack of economic development No funding in RD
  from the industrial and private sectors.
  
•   Lack of minimum research facilities brain
  drain.
  
•   NAST trying its best within its limited
  resources.