Minister Pun seeks expert input for new research and innovation centers
Minister Mahabir Pun has asked scientists and researchers for suggestions on new research and innovation centers in six listed technical areas, and the ministry has called for concept papers.
Minister for Science, Technology and Innovation Mahabir Pun has asked scientists and researchers for suggestions on the government's plan to set up specialized research and innovation centers. According to Nagarik News and Techpana, he asked experts for concrete advice on how the centers should be established and run. Pun made the request on social media; Techpana said it came through his Facebook account.
Techpana counted six areas in the request, and Nagarik News and ICT Samachar list the same fields: industrial and agricultural tools, electrical and electronics, healthy food and beverage products, drone and aeronautical technology, Ayurvedic, herbal and forest-based products, and biomedical engineering. Ratopati, reporting the ministry's call for concept papers, said research into adding value to agricultural waste is also among the priorities.
The centers are being advanced under the Science, Technology and Innovation Ordinance, 2083 (Bikram Sambat). Ratopati reported that the government has called for concept papers to establish and run them. The ordinance provides for a Science, Technology, Research and Innovation Fund under the ministry to invest in science, technology and innovation work, and Ratopati said the ministry plans to pay for the centers from that fund, working through its Science, Technology and Innovation Center.
The list is not closed. Techpana and Ratopati reported that centers can be proposed in fields other than those named; Ratopati said they should be new or emerging technical fields that fit national needs and priorities. According to Ratopati, each concept paper must come with an estimated cost.
Nagarik News and ICT Samachar reported that Pun made the number 9841592361 public and asked interested Nepali scientists and researchers to call or message him on WhatsApp at any time with their suggestions.
Ratopati reported that the initiative is expected to institutionalize research, technology development and practical innovation, and to contribute to industrial production, agricultural modernization, health technology and the use of domestic resources.