'Investment on high-tech lab needed for nation's prosperity'

Lalitpur, Dec 19: Minister for Education, Science and Technology Bidhya Bhattarai has said investment on high-tech laboratory was needed for the country's prosperity.     

At a programme organized on 42nd anniversary of Nepal Academy of Science and Technology, Minister Bhattarai, who is also the pro-chancellor of the Academy, called to work for the modernization of the home-grown knowledge.     

"The future of the nation depends on young generation and their innovation. For this, use of artificial intelligence should be increased in the education sector by institutionalizing the mechanism of network," she added.     

She also appreciated the NAST for its contribution to knowledge production in the areas of alleviation of different diseases, waste management, botany, climate change and others.     

Likewise, Vice Chairman of National Planning Commission Prof Dr Shivaraj Adhikari said that the NAST and NPC should collaborate in the areas of science and innovation adding that special provision on policy-level should be ensured.     

Vice Chancellor of NAST Dr Dilip Subba said that the institution was expecting further assistance from the Ministry in the future.     

During the event, 55 personalities were honoured for their special contribution to research and several other areas.     

On the occasion, Nature Conservation Prize was given away to Ramesh Bahadur Basnet. Basnet, an official of the Ministry of Forest and Environment, was provided a purse of Rs 200,000.     

Similarly, Dr Devraj Joshi was given away the Science Prize with a purse of Rs 100,000 while Dr Dipendra Parajuli was provided with the prize of the Technology Sector.(RSS)