Science in Nepal

As we emerge into a new era, it is due time for the scientific and technological community in Nepal to lead the path towards the development of this country. At the start of this new millennium must begin to improve lives and living conditions of the ordinary Nepali people. It must contribute to the development of Nepal because a strong and vibrant scientific research community can make its contribution to the economy. At the same time, science must strive for excellence and be, at all times, answerable to the citizens of Nepal.

The realisation is growing that the growth of science and technology is one of the primary instruments for the much-needed development towards a self-reliant and self-confident Nepal. However, it is not enough.

We need to understand that science and technology depend completely on each other; they are in a symbiotic relationship. Technology cannot advance without science, nor can science develop without technology. With the advancement of both science and technology concurrently, it would be possible to stamp out hunger, feed people adequately, contain epidemics, render strenuous physical labour unnecessary and, above all, enable Nepali people to lead a substantially more comfortable life.

The Ministry of Science and Technology, Royal Nepal Academy of Science and Technology (RONAST), Nepal Agricultural Research Council (NARC), The National Council for Science and Technology (NCST), Research Centre for Applied Science and Technology (RECAST), HMG universities technical department and laboratories, and host of other research institutes in the country have to play a central role.

They have now become an inefficient organization in terms of technology and human scientific activities potential. They depend fully on HMG’s budget for their daily administrative work and have now emerged as an unproductive white elephant whose sole duty is to give jobs (an employment agency). In the minds of the general public, they have steadily lost their credibility and their research activities have been reduced almost to nil or insignificance.

The scientific and technological group must play wholeheartedly a significant role in the science and technology aims and objectives of the Five Year Plan of HMG of Nepal. This will help enhance the prestige of these bodies both nationally and internationally. This involves the promotion of highly motivated, intelligent and imaginative Nepali scientists and strategists who can integrate their research efforts with those of the scientific community, national and international.

This requires bringing together top-ranking Nepali scientists and technologists-a team engaged in the technological community in the tasks of socioeconomic development and poverty alleviation. These scientific bodies need to take steps to drastically lower dependence on financial assistance from the Government of Nepal. They must gain financial assistance through foreign donors in research and development to promote science and technology in Nepal. This requires active international interchange and mutual cooperation in view of the country’s requirement to foster the development of strategically specialised scientific research.

It is through extensive research and development in biotechnology, information technology, agricultural and forestry research, bio-diversity, environmental science and scientific instrumentation that Nepal will be able to stand side by side with other countries in this millennium. There is a need for Nepali scientists and technologists to immediately play a role in the advancement of scientific research in rural engineering, basic science research (eg, nano-technology, plant science, earth science etc), mitigation of natural hazards, medicine and health services.

Nepali science needs to promote indigenous technology by pursuing a national and international Intellectual Property Rights of Nepali Indigenous Knowledge and Technology to preserve the uniqueness of our country. The primary goal should be to maintain self-reliance and individuality by selling abroad Nepali indigenous technologies and export locally developed scientific research. There has to be a coordination amongst the scientist and technologist to improve and promote research and development in traditional and indigenous crafts, Nepali traditional and Ayurvedic Medicines through which Nepal will be able to gain international recognition.

Nepali scientists must strive for hard-core active scientific research activities that are capable of yielding fruits of science and technology beneficial to the rural Nepali people. They must make an important contribution to raise the quality of rural life, provide powerful tools to overcome the worst aspects of poverty and strive for poverty alleviation in the emerging scenario because it relates directly with the lives of the ordinary Nepali people and the country’s economy.