Kathmandu, Dec 6: Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal 'Prachanda' has said that the government will motivate the youths and scientists to carry out intensive research in science and technology.
Addressing a programme organised on
the occasion of the 41st anniversary of the Nepal Academy of Science and Technology
(NAST) at Khumaltar, Lalitpur, today, he shared that the government has set up
a special fund for the development of science and technology. He expressed the
belief that this fund will provide important support to promote research and
innovation.
"The government has included
in its annual programme for the current fiscal year the plan to set up a fund
of one billion rupees for the development of science and technology," said
PM Prachanda, also the NAST Chancellor, adding that the talented youths will get
the opportunity to carry out research remaining within the country from this
fund.
The PM stated that he has the
chance to observe closely the contribution made by NAST scientists in the
field of science and technology, and the capacity development of this sector
has speeded up in the country.
"The government has not been
able to provide resources as per your expectations. The government also has its
limitations. Myself being a science student, I am aware of the factors why we
have not been able to make a leap in the development of science and
technology," he said.
The Prime Minister and NAST
Chancellor urged NAST to prepare the outline of the strategic plan by holding
intensive discussions on the strategy to be adopted in the upcoming 16th
Five-year Plan regarding the science and technology development.
"Intensive discussions should
be held and thinking done as to what programmes need to be incorporated in the
16th Plan so that it would be possible to be established in this sector. It
would be appropriate to formulate the future plan in this way," PM Dahal
said and urged for preparing the outline of the strategic plan, internalizing
the country's need and priorities, and continually coming in contact of the
government.
On the occasion, PM and NAST
Chancellor Dahal inaugurated NAST Technology Block and the biomedical research
laboratory.
NAST scientists and technologists
were also awarded. (RSS)