Kathmandu, September 13
Minister for Science, Technology and Innovation Mahabir Pun said work is underway to replace the existing law governing the Nepal Academy of Science and Technology (NAST) to free the institution from political interference and grant it financial autonomy.
Pun made the remarks at a discussion with subject experts and representatives of stakeholder organisations in Kathmandu on Sunday regarding the drafting of a bill to amend, consolidate and replace the Nepal Academy of Science and Technology Act, 1991.
He said NAST’s structure needs extensive reform to promote and develop science and innovation in the country. He said the government was moving to replace the law enacted in 1991 to address this need.
“Until 1991, the word ‘innovation’ was not even commonly used in Nepal. No one saw the need for it. If they had, Nepal would have made much greater progress in science and innovation by now. Therefore, while drafting the bill to amend, consolidate and replace the Nepal Academy of Science and Technology Act, 1991, we should first change its name,” he said.
According to Pun, the proposed bill will remove the existing provision that makes the prime minister the chancellor of NAST. He argued that the arrangement is inappropriate because the prime minister should be positioned at the highest level of the country’s science, technology and innovation sector rather than serve as the chancellor of NAST.
Pun said political interference in academies has hampered their institutional development and pledged that the new structure would prevent such interference.
“There is political interference in the academies at present. We will now create a structure that prevents political interference. Many people know that the academies have been weakened by political interference. Even if political interference improved some things, what do we call it when 20 things are damaged while 10 are improved?” Pun said.
He said the existing provision making the prime minister the chancellor would not be retained in the new bill.
“We need to place the prime minister at the highest level of science, technology and innovation. We have incorporated this provision in the act governing the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation. If the prime minister does not personally study the science and technology sector and provide proper direction, innovation cannot develop,” he said.
Pun added that the government was seeking to make NAST autonomous not only in its operations but also financially.
