Promote Innovation

Of late, the issue of brain drain has become critical for Nepal with more Nepali youths opting for the developed countries in Europe and America and Australia for their higher studies and career opportunities. While we hear of successful scientific feats achieved by Nepali youths in those countries, the situation back home is not much optimistic in terms of innovation, research and development (R&D). For example, no patent was registered at the Department of Industry in the past one and a half years.

The country lacks robust infrastructure and system to promote R&D and innovation. Universities here are hardly found prioritising research activities. The fact that there weren't significant innovations at universities in recent years justify this. Campuses are focused on just achieving higher academic results rather than developing hunger for innovations and discoveries among students. Universities in the developed countries allocate about 10 per cent of their total annual budget for R&D which is a far-fetched dream in case of Nepal since the universities are struggling to manage recurrent expenditure to run their regular activities. Likewise, there are not proper labs and organisations promoting innovations with the National Innovation Centre (NIC), led by Dr. Mahabir Pun. Apart from NIC, it is the Nepal Academy of Science and Technology (NAST) that is leading the path for R&D.

Meanwhile, the country has failed to allocate fair share of resources in the field of science and technology. In 2020, Nepal had allocated only 0.45 per cent of the total budget for R&D. Experts say that this was an improved situation compared to the allocation of just 0.1 per cent a decade ago. Plans for institutions like Madan Bhandari Science and Technology University can have positive impact on the overall scenario of research and innovation.

Against this backdrop, Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba has stressed the need for stopping the brain drain by fully mobilising educated human resources in science and technology in order to accelerate the pace of economic development linking R&D with nation's modernisation and production system. Speaking at the 45^th Academic Assembly of the Nepal Academy of Science and Technology (NAST) the other day, PM Deuba said that the scientific body should to intensify trainings to train science teachers, establish information access centres, award scientists and support research organisations.

The PM rightly said that the science and technology should be utilised to identify existing and future challenges and ways to tackle them. The NAST had proved its utility by launching the first satellite for Nepal, and producing isolation booths and oxygen cylinders during COVID-19. NIC also supported hospitals and health professionals with various innovative tools and materials during the pandemic. Their roles were appreciated by one and all.

The country, therefore, should promote innovation in business, education, health and social sectors. Meanwhile, being an agrarian economy, Nepal may need more R&D and innovations in agriculture. Farmers need innovations that are economical and efficient in irrigation, and production, processing and storage of their produces. Universities must increase research budget and activities and young innovators and scientists should have access to finance to develop their projects. PM Deuba's direction to the concerned ministries, and NAST to prepare a substantive action plan for full utilisation of expertise of scientists and experts in the country should be executed without any delay. The country must check the exodus of bright brain and cultivate the culture of research and innovation with top priority.

 Published in The Rising Nepal daily on 20 February 2022.