SCIENCE, RESEARCH AND TECHNOLOGY IN NEPAL
SEMINAR-WORKSHOP ON
SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY AND
INNOVATION INDICATORS
CURRENT ISSUES AND CHALLENGES
FOR SOUTH-EAST ASIA
Phnom Penh, Cambodia
18-20 Nov 2008
Country Presentation
SCIENCE, RESEARCH AND
TECHNOLOGY IN NEPAL
Sitaram P BYAHUT
National Science Council
Tribhuvan University
Dinesh R BHUJU
Nepal Academy of
Science and Technology
SCIENCE, RESEARCH AND TECHNOLOGY IN NEPAL
Acknowledgements



UNESCO
Ministry of
Environment, Science
and Technology,
Government of Nepal
Nepal Academy of
Science and Technology
SCIENCE, RESEARCH AND TECHNOLOGY IN NEPAL
CONTENTS
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GENERAL OVERVIEW
INSTITUTIONAL CAPABILITIES
HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT
DISCIPLINARY DEVELOPMENT
DEVELOPMENT PLANS & POLICY
SCIENCE, RESEARCH AND TECHNOLOGY IN NEPAL
General Overview
Federal Republic of Nepal
COUNTRY NOTES






Area: 141,181 Sq Km
Population:25 million (2001)
Literacy: >60%; KEI: 1.61
Topography: Mountainous (>70%)
Major Economic Activity: Agriculture,
Tourism, Remittance
High Altitude Research Lab 5,50m, Nepal
Potentials:
Natural Resources: Water Resources (>6,000 rivers 225
b cu m/yr, Biodiversity (>34 ecosystems), High Altitude
Mountains (60m-8,848m asl)
Human Resources: Intellectual Plurarism, Technical
Advances (IOL and IT received Magasessey Awards),
Higher Education, Indigenous Knowledge System,
Micro-Hydro, Community Forestry & Conservation etc.
SCIENCE, RESEARCH AND TECHNOLOGY IN NEPAL
General Overview
HISTORICAL TRENDS
Pre-Modern (Before 1800)
•
•
•
•
•
The Gopal:
The Kirat:
The Lichhavi:
The Thakuri:
The Malla:
Up to 1000 BC
700 BC-110 AD
110-879 AD
879-1200 AD
1200-1768 AD
Modern
 Isolation (1800 – 1950 AD)
 Post-isolation (1950 AD onwards)
SCIENCE, RESEARCH AND TECHNOLOGY IN NEPAL
Table: Records of scientific knowledge and technological innovations in Nepal before 1950
SN
Dynasty
Period
Knowledge
1
The
Gopals
The Abhirs
Up to
1000BC
Animal husbandry; Agricultural farming; Use of bamboo, hay,
thatch and timber for construction; Dairy products
2
The Kirats
700BC110AD
Brick firing; Woolen shawls
3
The
Lichhavis
4
The
Thakuris
5
The
Mallas
6
110AD879AD
Building construction; Water supply- construction of irrigation canals
and stone spot; Architectural developments- Chityas, Stupa; Stone
technology; Ponds for recharging water, sand filters; Street light by
cotton and oil
879AD 1200AD
Construction of Kasthamandap; Continuation of technologies
developed in the past
1200AD1768AD
The Ranas 1845AD1950AD
Construction of Krishna Mandir, Nyatapola, Taleju & many palaces in
Bhaktapur, Patan & Kathmandu; Metallurgical Competence, Excelled
in civil & architecture, textile; Knowledge in mining & extraction of iron;
Ayurvedic dispensary; Technologies comparable to neighboring
countries; Arniko to China
Introduction of European technology; Construction of Sinha Durbar,
other Victorian buildings, Clock tower; Allopathic hospital; Introduction
of Motor car, Hydro electricity; Experimental station for agriculture
Araniko and his White Pagoda in China
Nyatapola: Five-Storied Temple
Bhaktapur, Built 1703
13th Century
SCIENCE, RESEARCH AND TECHNOLOGY IN NEPAL
General Overview
HISTORICAL TRENDS
Pre-Modern (Before 1800)
Modern
 Isolation (1800 – 1950 AD)
 Post-isolation (1950 AD onwards)
SCIENCE, RESEARCH AND TECHNOLOGY IN NEPAL
Table. Chronological order major S&T institutions established in the country
Year
Name of Institution
Type
1890
Bir Hospital
Health service
1911
Pharping Hydroelectric Power Plant
Bijuli Adda/Nepal Electricity Authority (since
1985)
Power supply
1918
Trichandra College
Education
1924
Department of Agriculture
S&T Service
1939
Department of Livestock Services
S&T Service
1942
Technical School for Sub-overseer
Training
1947
Nepal Forest Institute
Education
1955
Department of Forest
S&T Service
1956
Department of Soil Sciences
S&T Service
1958
Department of Geology and Mines
Department of Survey
Central Bureau of Statistics
Exploration and S&T Service
1959
Tribhuvan University
Education
1960
Department of Medicinal Plants
Botanical Survey and National Herbarium
Balaju Yantra Shala
Exploration, S&T Service
Workshop, R&D
1962
Department of Hydrology and Meteorology
S&T Service
1963
Butwal Technical Institute
Forest Survey Research Office
Training, R&D
S&T Service
SCIENCE, RESEARCH AND TECHNOLOGY IN NEPAL
Table. Chronological order major S&T institutions established in the country contd.
1964
Royal Drug Research Laboratory
R&D
1965
Postgraduate Departments of Natural Sciences, Tribhuvan
University
Education
1966
Central Food Research Laboratory
Quality tests
1968
Lumle Agriculture Research Center
R&D
1972
Royal Drugs Ltd.
Institutes of Medicine, Agriculture, Forestry, Engineering- TU
R&D
Education
1973
Department of National Parks and Wildlife
S&T Service
1974
Department of Soil Conservation and Watershed Management
S&T Service
1975
Nepal Telecommunication Corporation
Natural History Museum, Tribhuvan University
Telecommunication
Exploration Research
1976
National Council for Science and Technology (NCST)
Nepal Bureau of Standards
Coordination
S&T Service
1977
Research Center for Applied Science and Technology (RECAST)
Butwal Engineering Works Ltd.
R&D
Industrial service
1980
Department of Drug Administration
Drug administration
1981
Water and Energy Commission
Herbs Production and Processing Company Ltd.
R&D
Production Processing
1982
King Mahendra Trust for Nature Conservation
Department of Ayurved
Royal Nepal Academy of Science and Technology (RONAST)
Conservation
R&D
R&D, Tech. transfer,
Science Promotion
SCIENCE, RESEARCH AND TECHNOLOGY IN NEPAL
Institutional Capabilities
EDUCATION SYSTEM
SCHOOL EDUCATION:
Primary Tier : Grade 1-5
Lower Secondary Tier: Grade 6-8
Secondary Tier: Grade 9-10
Higher Secondary Tier: Grade 11-12
UNIVERSITY EDUCATION
Bachelors’ : 3-5 yrs (after Higher Secondary)
Master’s : 2 yrs after Bachelor’s Degree
MPhil and PhD Programs
SCIENCE, RESEARCH AND TECHNOLOGY IN NEPAL
Table. Distribution of +2 schools (science stream) in and outside Kathmandu valley
Schools address
SN
Number of
Schools
Number of
Students
1
Kathmandu valley
104 (48.6%)
7196 (55.4%)
2
Outside Kath valley.
110 (51.4%)
5795 (44.6%)
214
12,991
Total
Source: Higher Secondary Education Board 2005
SCIENCE, RESEARCH AND TECHNOLOGY IN NEPAL
Institutional Capability
VOCATIONAL EDUCATION
Technical School 1932
Council for Technical Education and
Vocational Training (1989)
Technical Schools : 19
Affiliated Institutes: 170
Areas: > 20 (Agriculture, Electrical,
Electronics, Nursing)
SCIENCE, RESEARCH AND TECHNOLOGY IN NEPAL
Table. Technical institutions operated by CTEVT
SN
Name of the Institution
Trade Areas
1
Balaju Technical Training Center, Kathmandu
Electrical, Mechanical, Sanitation
2.
Training Institute for Technical Instruction, (TITI)
Instruction Related Training
3.
Panauti Technical School, Kavre
Automobile
4.
Lahan Technical School, Lahan
Agriculture, Construction, General Mechanics
5.
Jiri Technical School, Jiri
Agriculture, Construction, Health (ANM)
6.
Dhankuta Technical School, Uttarpani
Agriculture
7.
Vocational Training Center, Biratnagar
Health
8.
Karnali Technical School, Jumla
Agriculture, Construction, Health (AHW, ANM)
9.
Bheri Technical School, Nepalgunj
General Mechanics, Automechanics, Plumbing,
Wielding, Electricity, Electronics, Computer, Off. Mgt.
10.
Rapti Technical School, Dang
Agriculture, Construction, Rural Mechanics, CMA
11.
School of Health Science, Bharatpur
Health (Health Assistant)
12.
Dhaulagiri Technical School, Mustang
Lodge Management, Agriculture, Construction
13.
Pokhara Tourism Training Center, Pokhara
Hotel Management, Travel and Tourism Mgt, Computer
14.
VTCD, Lamjung
As per Local Needs
15.
VTCD, Tanahaun
As per Local Needs
16.
Tansen Nursing School, Palpa
Health (Staff Nurse)
17.
Second Health Service, Bharatpur
Health
18.
Hetauda Polytechnic, Hetauda
Electrical, Mechanical and Industrial Skills
19.
Seti Technical School, Dipayal
Agriculture, Construction
SCIENCE, RESEARCH AND TECHNOLOGY IN NEPAL
Institutional Capability
HIGHER EDUCATION
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
Tri-Chandra College 1918
Tribhuvan University 1959
Nepal Sanskrit University 1986
Kathmandu University 1991
Purbanchal University 1995
Pokhara University 1997
BP Koirala Institute of Health Sciences 1998
National Academy of Medical Sciences 2003
Lumbini University
SCIENCE, RESEARCH AND TECHNOLOGY IN NEPAL
Institutional Capability
MAJOR UNIVERSITIES




TRIBHUVAN UNIVERSITY
Institutes: Science and Technology, Medicine,
Engineering, Forestry, Agriculture and Animal
Science;
Campuses: >300; Courses: Nearly 200
Students: >200,000; Faculties: 7,000;
KATHMANDU UNIVERSITY
PURBANCHAL UNIVERSITY
POKHARA UNIVERSITY
SCIENCE, RESEARCH AND TECHNOLOGY IN NEPAL
Table. Number of students in different institutes of Tribhuvan University
Year
IOST
IOE
IOM
IAAS
IOF
Total
1990
9384
1831
1512
742
577
14046
1991
10517
2039
1885
684
561
15686
1992
12113
2268
1777
721
454
17333
1993
12272
2080
1499
674
563
17088
1994
14109
2029
1098
675
541
18474
1995
11028
2052
1136
565
483
15264
1996
11182
1974
1036
520
404
15116
1997
12047
1998
1173
602
410
16230
1998
11700
2172
1212
598
353
16035
1999
13620
2369
1371
696
435
18491
2000
12619
3610
1605
745
405
19056
2001
12360
4077
1747
720
360
19264
2002
11533
4291
1667
564
358
18413
2003
18470
4321
1640
586
348
25365
2004
18891
4050
1543
643
437
25564
SCIENCE, RESEARCH AND TECHNOLOGY IN NEPAL
Table. Number of teachers in different S&T related institutions of
Tribhuvan Univeristy
IOST IOE
IOM IAAS IOF TOTAL
Teachers
Professors
53
16
26
10
-
105
Readers
171
52
42
25
4
294
Lecturers
511 143
177
76
43
950
78
36
15
2
192
796 289
281
126
49
1541
Contract
Total
61
Source: Planning Division, Tribhuvan University Today, 1999
SCIENCE, RESEARCH AND TECHNOLOGY IN NEPAL
Institutional Capability
HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT
30000
25000
NUMBER
20000
15000
10000
5000
0
1977
1995
YEAR
2005
SCIENCE, RESEARCH AND TECHNOLOGY IN NEPAL
Table. Human Resource Development in Science and Technology
SN
Subject
1977
1
Engineering
739
2389 11,234
450
1909
6,266
2
Natural Science (Botany, Zoology, Physics,
Chemistry, Mathematics, Statistics,
Geology, Meteorology)
492
1658
5,496
3
Medical Science (Nursing, Pharmacy,
Medicine and Surgery)
4
Agriculture
477
1396
3004
5
Forestry
155
719
798
6
Technology (Food Technology)
64
165
224
7
Computer and IT
782
8
Environment and Natural Resources
104
9
Microbiology
195
10
Total Number
2377
1995
2005
8236 28,103
SCIENCE, RESEARCH AND TECHNOLOGY IN NEPAL
Institutional Capability
S&T ORGANIZATIONS
National Council for
Science and Technology
1976 (dissolved)
Nepal Academy of Science
and Technology 1982
Ministry of Environment,
Science and Technology
1996
SCIENCE, RESEARCH AND TECHNOLOGY IN NEPAL
Institutional Capability
GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS









Department of Agriculture 1924
Department of Mines and Geology 1926
Department of Survey 1958
Department of Plant Resources 1959
Department of Food Research and Quality
Control 1960
Department of Meteorology & Hydrology 1962
Department of Forest Research & Survey 1963
Department of Soil Conservation and Watershed
Management 1974
Department of National Parks and Wildlife
Conservation 1980
Department of Drug Administration 1980
SCIENCE, RESEARCH AND TECHNOLOGY IN NEPAL
Institutional Capability
OTHER ORGANIZATIONS






Water and Energy Commission 1981
National Agriculture Research Council 1991
Environment Protection Council 1992
National Health Research Council 1992
High Level Commission for IT 1996
NGOs- >15,000 registered with Social Welfare
Council (Environment Conservation 926,
Health Care 339, etc.)
SCIENCE, RESEARCH AND TECHNOLOGY IN NEPAL
Disciplinary Development
MAJOR SUBJECTS
Natural Science
 Physics
 Chemistry
 Mathematics
 Statistics
 Botany
 Zoology
 Geology
Applied Science
• Medicine
• Engineering
• Agriculture
• Forestry
Emerging Subjects
 Computer and IT
 Environmental Sc
 Conservation Biology
 Microbiology
 Biotechnology
SCIENCE, RESEARCH AND TECHNOLOGY IN NEPAL
Table. Major research areas in some S&T Institutions in Nepal
SN
Institution
Major Research Areas
1.
Central Dept of Botany, TU
Plant Physiology, Biotechnology, Biochemistry, Cytogenetics, Pathology, Mycology,
Taxonomy, Plant Ecology, Ecophysiology Plant Biodiversity, Ethnobotany
2.
Central Dept of Chemistry, TU
Natural Product Chemistry, Electrochemistry, Radiation Chemistry, Sulfur Chemistry
3
Central Dept of Geology, TU
Applied Geophysics, Geological Mapping, Palaentology, Climate Change and Glaciology,
Petrology, Hydrology, Chemical Modelling, Ground- and Surface Water
4
Central Dept of Mathematics, TU
Algebra, Fluid Dynamics, Special Functions, Classical Analysis, Complex Analysis
(Univalent Function), Integral Transform,
5
Central Dept of Meteorology, TU
Climate, hydrology,
6
Central Dept of Microbiology, TU
Medical Microbiology, Food Microbiology, Agricultural Microbiology, Environmental
Microbiology
7
Central Dept of Physics, TU
Astrophysics, Environmental Physics, Condensed Matter, Polymer, Plasma Physics
8
Central Dept of Statistics, TU
Sampling Theory, Demography,
10
Central Det of Zoology,TU
Parasitology, Entomology, Ecology, Wetland Ecosystem, Fisheries
11
Research Centre for Applied
Science and Technology (RECAST)
Solar Energy, Biomass Briquteting, Bio-fuel and improved cooking stoves, Natural Dyes,
Natural Products, Crop Science and Medicinal Chemistry, Technology Testing and
Transfer
12
Institute of Agriculture & Animal
Sciences, TU
Wheat Improvement, Rice Improvement, Orobanche Management, Biological Control,
Irrigation Management, Agronomy, Pathology, Horticulture, Entomology, Animal Sciences,
Veterinary Sciences
13
Institute of Engineering, TU
Hill Irrigation, Air Pollution, Passive Solar Heating, Building Design, Renewable Energy,
Urban Land Management, Urban Regeneration, Seismic Resistant Design
14
Institute of Forestry, TU
Social Forestry and Forest Management, Forest Products and Forest Engineering, Wildlife
Management, Silviculture, Forest Biology, Community Forestry, Ecotourism, Farm Forestry,
Watershed Management, Environmental Science
SCIENCE, RESEARCH AND TECHNOLOGY IN NEPAL
Table. Major research areas in some S&T Institutions in Nepal (Contd.)
15
Institute of Medicine, TU
Opthalmology, Obstretics and Gynaecology, Paediatrics, Orthopaedics, Radiology, Internal
Medicine, Public Health, Pathology, Otorhinolaryngology, Anaesthesiology
16
School of Science, Kathmandu
University
Chemistry, Mathematics, Statistics, Physics, Environmentla Science. Pharmacy
17
School of Engineering, KU
Computing projects, Online translation system, Hydro turbines, Solar water heater for
highaltitudes, Micro hydro, Energy
18
School of Medical Sciences, KU
Occupational health safety
19
Central Food Research Laboratory
Food Technology, Quality Control, Nutrition,
20
Department of Forest Research and
Survey (DFRS)
Natural Forestry Management, Plantation Management, Tree Improvement, Agroforestry
and Fodder Trees
21
Department of Mines and Geology
Mines, Petroleum, Seismology
22
Nepal Agriculture Research Council
(NARC)
Cereals and Cash Crops, Horticulture, Livestock and Animal Health, Fisheries, Aquaculture,
Fodder and Pasture, Agroforestry, Farm Forestry, Soil and Irrigation Management, Botany
and Biotechnology, Entomology, Plant Pathology and Plant Protection, Farming Systems,
Agri Economics and Marketing, Food Science, Agri Ecology and Environment,
Socioeconomics and other related Fields of Agriculture
23
Department of Plant Resources
(DPR)
Medicinal Plants, Plant Chemistry, Flora, Plant Taxonomy, Tissue Culture, Cytology and
Cytogenetics, Plant Anatomy
24
Department of Hydrology and
Metereology
Weather forecasting, Weather recording
25
Department of Wildlife and National
Parks
Conservation of ecosystem, protection of rare and endangered wildlife
26
Royal Nepal Academy of Science
and Technology (RONAST)
Biotechnology, Natural Products, Environment, Alternate Energy, High Altitude Sciences
and Technology, Science and Technology Policy
27
Purbanchal University
Engineering, Agriculture, Animal Science
28
Pokhara University
Pharmaceutical, Biomedical, Environment
SCIENCE, RESEARCH AND TECHNOLOGY IN NEPAL
Disciplinary Development
NATIONAL SCIENCE CONGRESS
Number of Papers Received in Science Congress
700
NUMBER OF PAPERS
600
500
400
300
200
100
0 1982 1988 1994 1999 2004 2008
YEARS
SCIENCE, RESEARCH AND TECHNOLOGY IN NEPAL
Table. Subject-wise breakdown of papers presented in national conferences on S&T
Subject
Agriculture
1982
1988
1994
1999
2004
2008
8 (16%)
40 (24%)
33 (18%)
70 (19%)
120 (24%)
156 (24%)
Biological Sc
21 (41%)
53 (32%)
32 (17%)
97 (26%)
154 (31%)
303 (47%)
Physical Sc
18 (35%)
20 (12%)
27 (14%)
41 (11%)
144 (23%)
11 (17%)
2 (4%)
-
33 (18%)
43 (12%)
33 (7%)
87 (13%)
-
14 (8%)
28 (15%)
31 (8%)
30 (6%)
44 (7%)
Health & Med.
1 (2%)
15 (9%)
10 (5%)
52 (14%)
44 (9%)
78 (12%)
General
1 (2%)
25 (15%)
24 (13%)
38 (10%)
7 (1%)
27 (4%)
Forest & Env.
Engg & Tech
Total
51 (100%) 167 (100%) 187 (100%) 372 (100%) 502 (100%) 650 (100%)
SCIENCE, RESEARCH AND TECHNOLOGY IN NEPAL
Disciplinary Development
PROFESSIONALS /INCLUSIVENESS
Professional Society: >100
Journal Publication: >60
Women Participation:
Women Scientific Manpower:
<15% of the total; 95%
engaged in agriculture
Marginalized Group in S&T:
Negligible
SCIENCE, RESEARCH AND TECHNOLOGY IN NEPAL
Development Plans & Science Policy
BUDGET OUTLAYS IN DEV. PLANS
Table. Total outlays and their sector-wise distribution in percent in development plans
Periodic Development
Plan 1956-2007
1st
2nd
3rd
4th
5th
6th
7th
8th
9th
10th
Total plan-outlay (Rs. in m)
330
670
2500
3540
9170
22300
54110
129565
189580
234029
Agriculture, forest &
irrigation
31.4
14.3
25.9
33.1
33.4
33.2
31.9
26.2
27.1
Transportation &
communication
33.8
Industry, mining & power
16.7
30.9
27.9
20.3
19.5
24.6
22.5
15.1
19.5
Education, health &
drinking water
17.1
17.4
16.6
10.8
18.5
20.8
30.2
33.3
33.3
Sectoral distribution in %
24.0
23.5
26.8
35.4
27.5
21.4
15.4
21.8
17.6
15.9
16.1
38.7
Science & Technology
-
-
-
-
-
-
0.1
-
0.2
1.0
Trade & tourism
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
1.0
1.5
1.5
Land & housing finance
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
0.1
1.2
Miscellaneous
1.0
13.9
2.8
0.4
1.0
-
-
2.6
0.9
1.8
Total
100
100
100
100
100
100
100
100
100
100
SCIENCE, RESEARCH AND TECHNOLOGY IN NEPAL
Development Plans & Science Policy
DEVELOPMENT PLANS
FIVE-YEAR DEVELOPMENT PLAN
 Since 1956
 S&T Policy Statement in Sixth Plan
(1980-1985)
 Science and Technology Policy 2005,
Ministry of Environment, Science and
Technology
SCIENCE, RESEARCH AND TECHNOLOGY IN NEPAL
Plan
Period
Major Achievement
First-Fifth 1956-1980 •
Remarks
•
Development of Service
Infrastructure
Formation of NCST
UNESCO recommends
S&T Policy and High
Level Body
Sixth
1980-1985 •
Establishment of NAST
23 Expert Groups to
work on Status & Priority
Seventh
1985-1990 

S&T Sector Budget
National Policy on S&T
Eight
1992-1997 •
Science Ministry Created
Ninth
1997-2002 •
20-Year S&T Perspective
Plan
Tenth
2002-2007 

New S&T Policy
S&T in Constitution
Interim
2007-2011 

R&D Budget Head
Govt. Commitments
Restoration of Multi
Party System
Promulgation of Republic
of Nepal
SCIENCE, RESEARCH AND TECHNOLOGY IN NEPAL
Development Plans & Science Policy
OVERVIEW
SCIENCE ANDTECHNOLOGY POLICY
 Efforts of GON and UNESCO since
1960s
 National Policy on Science and
Technology 1989 forwarded by NAST
through First National Conference on
S&T
 Science and Technology Policy 2005,
Ministry of Environment, Science and
Technology
SCIENCE, RESEARCH AND TECHNOLOGY IN NEPAL
Development Plans & Science Policy
INVESTMENT IN S&T
Table. R&D Expenditure in Some of the S&T sectors
(Average of 1991-1996)
Total Budget
(Rs. in millions)
R&D Expenditure
As % of Total Budget
Agriculture and Food
2356
13.3
Forest & Plant Resources
750
6.1
Industry and Mines
932
26.8
Health
807
1.9
Water and Energy
2992
1.5
Land Survey
152
5.8
Education
2782
1.8
Sector
Source: Adhikary et al.(1998)
SCIENCE, RESEARCH AND TECHNOLOGY IN NEPAL
Development Plans & Science Policy
INVESTMENT IN S&T
R&D Expenditure % of GDP
1981 1982 1983 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995