Kathmandu, July 2: Formation of a separate Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation at a time when the government has reduced number of ministries has been taken as the new initiative in this sector. The ministry has been formed with an objective of institutionalizing study, research, innovation, promotion and advancement of the science and technology.
The Ministry is expected to facilitate the achievement of the targeted results in this sector at a time when the country has been facing problems such as brain drain and no environment conducive to produce skilled human resources due to policy-level ambiguity and insufficient budget in the science and research sector. After assuming the office after appointment to the post of Minister for Science, Technology and Innovation on June 10, Minister Mahabir Pun had announced to forward activities of the ministry from zero-level.
Minister Pun has been expressing commitment to working consistently to develop a culture among three-tier of governments and people how to make the country prosperous by improving economy and fostering development, research and innovation. Minister Pun, who had served as the Minister for Education, Science and Technology before March election to the House of Representatives, has decided to introduce bill relating to innovation and carry out organization and management (O&M) survey of the ministry. Minister Pun has been paying his attention on how to forward research and innovation effectively.
The newly formed ministry has got responsibility to make policy, laws and guidelines related to science, technology and innovation. It would collect data related to science and technology, its processing, survey and determine standards. Saying the activities related to O&M of the ministry has concluded, Minister Pun mentioned that activities to formulate important laws have been started to run the ministry.
The constitution of Nepal has made an arrangement of a policy to increase investment in scientific study, research, innovation, advancement and development of science and technology linking science and technology with country’s development as well as protect scientific, technical, intellectual talents. The ‘National Science and Innovation Policy, 2076’ brought by the government has set a target of contributing on building a prosperous nation supporting citizen’s livelihood by increasing production and productivity through the concept of science and innovation, development of science and technology, use of innovation and promotion of scientific culture for sustainable development and prosperity. The Innovation Ministry was formed in line with this policy and demand of time.
A nine-member taskforce formed under coordination of scientist Prof Dr Dinesh Raj Bhuju had recommended this policy for economic development and social transformation by holding discussion with national and foreign experts and stakeholders. A separate Ministry of Science and Technology was established in 2053 BS and National Science and Technology Policy was issued in 2061 and National Nuclear Policy in 2072.
The policy had determined increase in industrial production and productivity, commercialization of agriculture and use of land, sustainable infrastructure development, and sustainable use of valuable mineral resources, climate change, disaster risk reduction, good governance, service delivery, cyber and national security as the priority areas of scientific research.
There are around 120 organisation related with science and technology in the country and around 90 human resources affiliated with it. Thousands of youths study science, engineering, information technology and other technical subjects every year in Nepal and establish themselves as capable human resources at home and abroad.
However, the lack of effective mechanism to link their knowledge and skill with national development had long been felt. It has been believed that the new ministry would lead to transform ‘brain drain’ into ‘brain gain’ by creating environment to increase investment in research, develop innovation centres and encourage scientists and entrepreneurs.
