Strong linkages between public, private and academia sectors
Number of patents and publications
R&D manpower
Collaborations (National and International)
S&T Vision
Government long term commitment (NASA, NIH)
Scientific leaders in innovation and creation
Centre of innovation and technology excellence
Generate opportunities to retain or attract talents
U.S.-40 % of global (R&D), 70 % world’s Nobel Prize winners, 3 quarter of world’s top 40 universities.
Private sector lead role
A visionary R&D in key S&T areas
Information technology (Q dots, OLED, Softwares, Wireless network)
Medical technology (No sutures, Injection, Targeted drug delivery, Gene technology, Diagnostic (Protein markers), Regenerative medicine
Nano technology
Australian R&D
R&D budget in 2008 - 10 billion AUD
Industrial R&D expense accounts for 0.9% of GDP
Industrial R&D is focused on Automotive and Biotechnology (Agriculture, Veterinary) sectors.
Government share 50% of the total R&D investment
R&D manpower is > 70,000
Australia: Public Sector R&D
3 Public Research Institutes, CSIRO, ANSTO and AIMS
63 cooperative research centres (CRC) were established nationally to strengthen the linkage between university, industry, and research institute
6 National Flagship projects in key areas Energy, Metal, Health, Niche Manufacturing, Environment and Energy to address national issues
S&T agreements with 11 countries and 3 international organizations
Weakness is in manufacturing industry, university industry linkage, and S&T manpower.
Nepal S&T-Development
R&D Activities
15 in Agriculture sector
15 in Agriculture sector
Professional Societies- 1995 Data
Nepal Science Association in 1956
96 Professional Societies
Largest Associations
Nepal Engineers Association (Members > 3500)
Nepal Medical Association, Members > 3000
Internal publications:
Professional Societies Journals (37)
National S&T Conference
48 papers in 1982 to 502 in 2004.
R&D Budget and Expenditure- in US$
R&D Manpower- 1995
S &T Apex Body- NAST
A Case Study
RONAST/NAST- Objectives
Advancement of science and technology for all round development of the nation
Preservation and further modernization of indigenous technologies
Promotion of research in science and technology
Identification and facilitation of appropriate technology transfer
RONAST/NAST: Function-15
The specific functions of NAST are to: - Undertake studies/reports on the achievements of S&T in the country.
Advise the Government on formulation technology transfer policy and its implementation.
Implement S&T programs in collaboration with national and international organizations.
Conduct and promote research in priority areas of science and technology.
Collect and disseminate S&T information through a central S&T Information System.
Organize seminars and conferences on S&T topics and help facilitate S&T publications.
Establish and strengthen linkages with regional and international institutions in order to promote mutual cooperation.
Mobilize internal and external resources both financial and technical, for S&T development as well as to carry out the activities of the Academy.
Give recognition to outstanding individual and institutional contribution for development, promotion and application of S&T.
Enhance public awareness towards the importance and usefulness of S&T as well as to create conditions conducive for S&T application.
Advise Government of Nepal on S&T development programs.
Advise Government of Nepal on the establishment of new institutions or laboratories for S&T related research and development.
Provide financial and technical assistance for the establishment and development of new S&T institutions/laboratories.
Set up centres for S&T related innovations and innovative models.
Undertake all necessary measures to achieve the goals and objectives of the Academy.
NAST-Structure
NAST Agreements
NAST Agreements
International Council of Scientific Unions (ICSU).
International Foundations of Sciences (IFS). International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).
Federation of Asian Scientific Academies and Societies (FASAS).
Information Network on New and Renewable Energy Resources and Technology for Asia and the Pacific (INNERTAP)
Centre for Science and Technology of Non-Aligned Countries
( NAM )
Association for Science Cooperation in Asia (ASCA)
Science and Technology Policy Asian Network (STEPAN)
Association of Asia 's Scientific Academies (AASA)
International Development Research Centre (IDRC)
Publications -200 in 25 years
Vigyan Lekhmala since 1986
Nepal Journal of Science and Technology since 1999
Proceedings SAARC Workshop on Biofertilizer Technology, 1989
Proceedings Discussion Forum on Pollution Preventing Strategies for the Kathmandu Valley , 1995
Citrus Greening Disease: A Compiled Study, 1990
Proceedings of Workshop on Indigenous Technological Capabilities of Industry Level, 1993
Proceedings of IInd National Conference on Science & Technology, 1994 –
Endogenous Capacity Building in S & T Development in Nepal , Vol. II, 1996
Proceedings of IIIrd National Conference on Science & Technology, 1999 - Ramaila Prayogharu (In Nepali), B.S. 2055
Urja Ra Urjaka ka Shrotharu, (In Nepali) B.S. 2055
Science and Technology in Nepal 2001
Proceedings of International Seminar on Mountains, 2002
Status Paper on Zoology, Statistics, Forestry, Plant Sciences - 4th National Conference on Science and Technology: Abstracts, 2004
Research Activities
Biotechnology programs
Conservation of Aromatic and medicinal plant
Molecular Diagnostic of Citrus greening Disease
Molecular characterization of Medicinal plants -Tea clones -Bacillus thuringinsis
Research on Organic farming
Antagonistic Study of Ectomycorrhiza -Study of the role of Endomycorrhiza
Natural products research
Bioprospecting of Cordyceps sinensis-Biopesticides study program -Analytical services
Environment and Radiation research
Microbial analysis of tap water, mineral water milk, soft drink and others -Chemical Microbial analysis of ground water -Detection of arsenic in ground water and removal of iron and arsenic. - Radiation hazards assessment in hospitals and nursing homes in Nepal .
High altitude sciences
Study of mushroom diversity and its economic value in Sagarmatha National Park Area. -Local knowledge and ethnomedicinal botany of high altitude plants in Sagarmatha National Park Nepal .
Distribution of C 3 and C 4 plants along environmental gradients in Eastern Himalayas of Nepal . -Ev-K²-CNR Committee
Technology application and development
Research works on Briquetting Technology
Study on Solar Pump -Instrumentation Centre
NAST: History
RONAST established during Panchyat time as an Apex Coordinating Body in S&T (Non working Academy)
VC - Non Scientist (PhD in Geography)
Absolute power and large budget
Agreements signed with overseas public S&T organizations
RONAST jobs – not permanent
Democracy in 1992 triggered uprising
Change in political system changed RONAST structure
New structure introduced without proper consultation and discussion
Appointment of Academician from representative political parties polarized the Academy’s functioning
Academician appointed lifetime with no clear role and responsibilities
S&T failure- Linked to Panchyat regime
NAST Achievements in 25 Years
NAST own building at Khumaltar (85 ropanies)
New building with old vision
Many Academicians and no projects
Many awards and grants
PhD fellowships program with University
National S&T Conference every 4 years
Radio program (Science Quiz, Interviews)
Science Learning Centre (SLC) launched
National Forensic Laboratory established
National Instrumentation Centre ?
High Altitude Research Laboratory-established
Few In-house projects
Talk Program, Meet your scientist program
Workshop and seminar
A Classic Example of a Failed Project
Advanced Natural Products Research Laboratory (ANPRL)- Identified as a National project in health sector
Aligned with policies of establishing national laboratory
Aimed to provide a centralized R&D facilities with modern Instrumentations (NMR/GC/GC-MS, SEM, FTIR )
Organised an International conference
Princess Chulabhorn, Mahidol university agreed to jointly fund this project with support from International community
Proposal submitted to Mahidol University through Chancellor office
Change in Political system in 1992
Project collapsed and never followed up
Nepal doesn’t have necessary equipment such as NMR/Mass Spectrometry/SEM etc necessary for R&D work
NAST- Main Reasons for Poor Performances
No defined role and responsibility (Working or Non working academy)
Broad agreements
Failed leadership
No new initiatives and vision
Working in isolation
Academician out of touch and no raw model
Power equation to become VC
Political appointments (Academician and VC)
Nepotism and poor governance
No initiatives or program for NRN S&T manpower ( A global resources with new blood and ideas)
Small In-house projects with poor funding without major collaborations, a road to failure
S&T Poor Performance: Main Reasons
Political instability
Not in Government priority
No clear national S&T strategic plan
Political appointments in all S&T institutions
No Science and Technology leaders
Poor R&D budget
Poor research infrastructure
Poor scientific manpower
No national coordinated efforts in R&D
Weak linkages between different R&D institutions
No incentives to private sectors
Confusion between R or D or both
Few collaborations (Intra, Inter and International)
Duplications of R&D
No commercial focus and patent protection
Examples: R&D Tax Incentives in Other Countries
Nepal S& T New Vision
Creating a team from different scientific fields and having a coordinated approach to find solutions to Nepal problems
Purpose
Serve Nepalese Community and benefit our
Industry
Environment
Society
Way Forward
S&T recognition and investment
A long term vision and serious commitment
Fresh approach and initiatives
A separate R&D wing in Planning commission
S&T seat in upper house
Invite NRN resources and brain for S&T investment
Organize a national conference of all R&D institutions (private/public & academia) and prepare S&T development master plan for the next decade
A development plan for S&T human resources next 10 years
Redefine the role of NAST
Form a Prime ministerial S&T advisory committee comprising of top scientists, technocrats and business minds
Establish a separate S&T department
Way Forward
Realign or merge Departments/Institutions with similar objectives to best utilize the resources and better service from R&D
Establish National laboratories in Key S&T areas (Chemical. Biological, Environment, Water Resources, Forestry, Alternate energy and Information sciences)
Create Federation of all societies- Lobby group
Identify S&T investment areas and invite foreign investment
Launch National projects in priority areas with clear focus
Invite external Science leader to review national projects on annual basis
Develop strong KPI to monitor R&D performance
Create national fellowship to attract and retain best scientists
Way Forward
Establish a strong patent portfolio to protect R&D outcome
Double the number fellowships (PhD, master and visiting scientist) in overseas countries
Tax incentives in all R&D work
Give incentives to Universities to develop strong links overseas to expand higher education infrastructure (KU)
Create a national S&T database
Look out for Science leaders
Higher the best brain for the top job
Knowledge based nation- (Invite, attract and retain talented Nepalese brain )
Biotechnology Sector (Yarsha Gumba): An example
Identify and invite collaborative national proposals
Approach overseas private companies for funding and investment
Advertise the project globally, institutional approach or individual contacts
Develop the proposal jointly with a clear objectives commercial focus and time frame
Nepal to provide resources and manpower
Advanced testing and formulation development overseas
Patent royalties to be shared
Access to clinical trials in Nepal- Investment opportunity
Tax incentives and other flexibility for the company
Manufacturing of products in Nepal (cheap resources)
10% of profit from the sell for reinvestment in R&D in Nepal
NRN Role
NRN should play a lead role
NRN to organise International S&T conference every two years in Nepal
Create a separate NRN S&T wing (Representative from country chapters globally)
Generate skill database and strong networking
Invite ideas and identify key areas for S&T investment
Create S&T investment funds
Submit a proposal to Nepal Govt
Launch collaborative projects in key areas
Appoint a S&T representative in NRN ICC
NRN ICC representative in the PM S&T advisory committee
NRN Approach
Create an investment fund ($ 1M) for R&D in priorities research areas
Initial funding for 1-2 projects with a clear commercial focus (Value added applied research)
A strong networking of NRN S&T expertise and resources through above projects in Nepal
Revenue generation- Spin off companies, licensing of patent or technology sale
New NRN PhD and post –doctoral fellowships in above project
Fellowship linked to commitment in the project
Local employment, infrastructure development and creation of wealth (long run)
Nepal S&T networking- New Approach
Brain Drain ?
Migration of Nepalese professionals –on rise
14 years in CSIRO- Co-inventor of 2 spin off companies PolyNovo and Aortech Biomaterials, 20 patents and 40 international journal papers and 50 International conference abstracts
Research ideas led to multimillion dollar business, created employment and infrastructure development
Can state use such experience and knowledge and is there any opportunity ?
Recent initiatives to start a collaborative proposal between CSIRO and NAST failed, No interest
Is Brain drain an issue
Is Reverse brain drain a need now ?
Education gets Govt support- Budget 2008
5% Tax (Rs 1.41 billion) on total revenue generated by the private schools and colleges (i.e., all higher institutions).
1.5 million students, 8500 private schools, and 70,000, 250 private colleges.
10% tax levy from the sin taxes on alcohol, tobacco, and casinos – Rs 1 billion
Total = 2.4 billion NRs
Independent trust funds
3.5 years education vouchers
25% school grants
75% vouchers for vocational and technical education
Science and Technology to be promoted- Budget 2008
Programme to stops brain-drain of the indigenous scientists and technologists
A National lab set up under National Academy for Science and Technology (NAST) to expedite the studies and researches in area of science and technology.
5th National Science Conference to be convened in Kathmandu
Rs 230 millions for National Information Bank to protect important public information from catastrophe and anthropogenic accidents.
Rs. 57.5 million for additional 175 Tele-centres in rural communities, schools and post offices.
One Tele-centre in each Village Development Committee
Establishment of a Climate Change Research Centre
Conclusion
There is no silver bullet or magic solution
No short cut approach
A new vision, passion, commitment and approach is necessary
Realigning of the national priorities and existing structure is important
Increase S&T budget to almost 2% of GDP
NRN role is critical to S&T development
Knowledge/Skill grafting is critical to S&T prosperity
