S & T: Rural Bias
SCIENTISTS in Nepal have long lamented that science and
technology is placed somewhere at the bottom of the priority list when it comes to
resource allocation and creating necessary policies and programmes for promoting it. The
general attitude of the policy-and decision-makers is such that investing in science and
technology does not yield benefits. What this attitude ignores is the fact that no nation
has advanced much without paying enough attention to science and technology. Presently,
the science and technology sector in Nepal gets less than half a percentage of the
naitonal budget. Nepal's scientific manpower is only 0.4 per cent of the total population
while by global standards any such figure less than 1 per cent is considered a shortfall.
In August, vice chancellor of the Royal Nepal Academy of Science and Technology echoed the
general frustrations of Nepali scientists at the disregard of the scientific profession in
the scheme of things.
In the backdrop of the science and technology sector
languishing for want of proper attention, the newly announced policy on science and
technology, if implemented earnestly, has the potential to rejuvenate the sector. Minister
for Science and Technology Dr. Upendra Devkota unveiled a policy on Wednesday that
outlined a number of programmes to be implemented in relation to Scientific capacity
building, bio-technology development, information and communications technology, improved
meteorological information system, renewable energy development, bio-diversity
conservation research and scientific manpower training. Though the policy details are to
be finalised within the next three months, there are enough indications in the outline of
the policy of a serious approach to promote science and technology. Some details that
emerged at the press conference Dr. Devkota spoke at, attested to such a seriousness of
purpose. For instance, under the alternative energy programme, 24,000 biogas plants, 9000
household solar energy systems and 22,000 improved ovens will be constructed within the
current fiscal year. As well, 5000 kilowatts of electricity will be generated through
small hydel plants. Fifteen rural information centers will be set up to give people access
to information technology with the aim of promoting rural economy. Measures like these,
that clearly have a rural bias, must be the leitmotive when finetuning the plans and
programmes under various areas of science and technology in the coming months. Only then
would science and technology mean anything to the general people of Nepal.
Other Story
|
