Kathmandu, Apr. 4
The Ministry of Education, Science and Technology (MoEST)
reported to the Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli on Sunday that integrated approach
and contribution from all the ministries and line agencies were needed to
achieve the expected results in research and development.
Submitting the Strategic Action Plan 2021 formulated to
implement the Science, Technology and Innovation Policy, 2020 to the Prime Minister,
the ministry stressed that wide application and use of science and technology
was a prerequisite to achieve the national aspiration of prosperity.
Minister for Education, Science and Technology Krishna
Gopal Shrestha presented the action plan to the Prime Minister. He said that each
level and sector should promote study, research, use and commercial application
of science and technology to meet the sectorial development goals.
Ministry officials stated that necessary equipment needed
to be imported as earlier as possible and the government should facilitate and
incentivise the transfer of technology with the facility of concessional loan
and reduction in customs duties.
The 10-year action plan mentions that research and
development would be made result-oriented to connect them with entrepreneurship,
enhance scientific awareness, promote scientific learning in the schools and
make science education more effective.
It aims at enhancing the quality of science and
technology study, increasing its access as well as attraction and effectiveness
of technological and vocational education, and transforming the science,
technology and innovation through the protection, promotion and
commercialisation of traditional technology.
It will help for the effective use of science and
technology in the development of physical infrastructure, agriculture and food
security, mitigation of disaster risk, protection of environment, herbs
processing and diagnosis of various diseases, the Prime Minister’s secretariat
said in a statement.
Likewise, the execution of the action plan will create
opportunities to apply science and technology in the areas of tunnel
construction, road, bridge and hydroelectricity project development, water
reservoir, minerals, and medicinal herbs.
In its presentation, the MoEST said that a high-level
dialogue among politics, communication, business community and academia, and
development of social network of the researchers and scientist was needed to
achieve these goals.
The action plan also includes the steps like promotion of
professional societies, strengthening of science education in school level,
development of laboratories, capacity enhancement of teachers and motivational
programmes for them, emphasis on technical and vocational education, and short-term
vocational programmes for the students of class 9-12 to engage them in
post-exam period.
It has suggested developing science infrastructure in
additional 25 locations.
A National Science Council will act as a coordinating
agency that will communicate with all the ministries and agencies. About Rs.
258 billion is needed to execute the action plan.
Prime Minister Oli directed the concerned agencies and
sectors to take necessary steps for the implementation of the action plan.
Published in The Rising Nepal daily on April 5, 2021.
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