SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF NEPAL

1. SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF NEPAL By Sitaram P Byahut Professor of Physics, CDP, TU and Ganesh Shah Former Minister, Nepal Govt. ANA Convention, Boston July 2-4, 2010

2. OUTLINE 1. Role of S&T in the Development of a Nation 2. The Experience of Newly Developed Countries in Developing Science and Technology 3. Why Science and Technology has Lagged behind in Nepal? 4. What needs to be done?

3. Role of S&T in the Development of a Nation I. Why Science and technology? • Socio-economic changes, cultural development and technological progress depend on Science and Technology. • Science and Technology creates wealth, produces materials, machines and devices which make life comfortable and enjoyable, and make work productive. • The economic influence and military dominance of a country comes from its mastery and utilisation of Science and Technology.

4. Role of S&T ........Contd. Some Basic Facts: 1. Science and Technology is a shared heritage of mankind 2. The gap in Creation, Mastery and Utilisation of modern Science and Technology among the nations is basically responsible for widely differing living standards, global economic influence and military dominance. 3. All nations, irrespective of their location and ethnic background, have participated in the creation of S&T in the past.

5. Contd...... 4. The gap in science and technology is of relatively recent origin. In the context of globalisation of industries and markets, it is anticipated that all nations will participate equally in future. 5. Science and Technology, as applied to development, is of long term nature. 6. Many people have misconceptions that acquisition of science and modern technology is very hard. That is wrong. 7. There is no evidence that any country or race is better than any other in learning science and technology. It is possible to carry out fast pace S&T based development in any country.

6. Contd...... 8. There are four areas of S&T to be developed: a. Basic Sciences – physics, chemistry, mathematics, biology and basic medical sciences b. Sciences in application – agriculture, energy, environment, earth sciences, medicine c. Conventional technology – chemicals, metallurgy, petroleum, power generation and transmission, electrical etc d. Advanced technology – advanced materials, information and communication, biotechnology, nanotechnology, pharmaceuticals, space technology

7. Contd...... 9. A possible way to develop is: a) to start with basic sciences and sciences in application, b) go to conventional technology and, after a base for basic sciences is built and conventional technology is available to provide basic services, c) advanced technology development can be attempted.

8. The Experience of Newly Developed Countries in Developing Science and Technology • Japan • Korea • India • China

9. S&T DEVELOPMENT IN JAPAN • Meiji Government (1868 -1912): to increase production and to promote industries for establishing a modern state with solid economic foundation, and for defence the state policy on science was “Knowledge will be sought and acquired from any source with all means at our disposal, for the greatness and security of Japan.” The policy goals were achieved through - technology transfer from Europe and North America - direct Government investment - knowledge transfer - by establishing educational and research institutions

10. Japan .... Contd... 2. Between the World Wars 1 and 2 (1913-1950): Self reliance in technology and developed research base as government policy. 3. Advanced Technology Development (1950 - ) The reasons for fast development of S&T are: * Strong political commitment – perhaps due to centralized political system and sense of unity. * Large scale state investment in industry made possible through utilization of domestic market and capital accumulation.

11. Japan .... Contd... * Large scale investment in education and research. * Implementation of polices by determining priority areas.

12. S&T Development in Korea • The development path of S&T in Korea started with political commitment of the government to develop industry for import substitution and export. It was backed up by heavy investment in infrastructure development – roads, railways, ports, schools and universities, research institutions etc. • Legal framework: patent laws, Science and Technology Advancement Law (1967) and Law for the promotion of Technology Development (1972), Laws to ensure quality in engineering and Laws for financing technology research.

13. S&T DEV. In Korea contd...... 3. Creation of a favourable Science and technology climate. - liberal working environment - popularisation of science and technology - International exchange and technical cooperation through bilateral and multilateral agreements. Support for these come directly from the government.

14. S&T Development Experience of India Industrial development of India was forced through political commitment of the post-independent leaders. Jawahar Lal Nehru realised very early that the nation could not develop without rapid industrialisation and self reliance on technology. Along with the industrial base he also was instrumental in creating universities and research institution. All this was attempted despite disagreements within his own party and despite the diverse culture and ethnicity of the vast population.

15. Large investment in industry, modern agriculture, education and in selected area of research has made India a technological power to reckon with.

16. S&T Development of China Despite several blunders on the industrial and front, the People’s Republic of China always emphasised economic development through science and technology. It started universal school education and invested massively on higher education in science, engineering and technology. It lacked the proper, liberal environment for the development of S&T. After liberalisation of the economy and to some extent of the society by Deng Tsiao Ping, it is aspiring to become the economic powerhouse. The lessons to learn are same: political commitment, investment in research and education, liberal environment.

17. Why Science and Technology has Lagged behind in Nepal? The experience of developed countries and newly developing nations establishes the following: • Political commitment to develop Science and Technology at the highest level backed by investment in education and research. • Aspiration for Self-Reliance in Technology. • Establishment of Institutional and legal infrastructure

18. Why S&T has Lagged in Nepal? Contd.... 4. Creation of a liberal environment for work * Advancements in science and technology are made by towering personalities. Therefore, an active enterprise of Science must be run by scientists themselves and not by bureaucrats. * Science thrives on criticism and tolerance of opposing views, guarded by science culture and the society.

19. Why S&T has Lagged in Nepal? Contd.... In the light of these world experiences, we will look for the reasons for the status of Science and Technology in Nepal. 1. Lack of Meaningful Commitment: Since the success of the democratic movement of 1951, the ruling establishments (kings till 1990) and political leaders (of all parties) have paid but only lip service to the development of S&T.

20. Why S&T has Lagged in Nepal? Contd.... The most important factor in developing science and technology is close cooperation between five categories of people in any society (i) rulers, who determine priorities for development, control vast amount of resources and can move a large number people; (ii) Planners and financiers who advise the rulers and chart strategies; (iii) entrepreneurs, who have capital and management skills; (iv) educators and media people, who popularise science and technology; and (v) scientists and technologists.

21. Why S&T has Lagged in Nepal? Contd.... The most important of the five factors is the rulers. Without commitment at the highest political level to master, utilise and create science and technology, and without commitment to achieve self-reliance in science and technology it is not possible for any country to develop.

22. Why S&T has Lagged in Nepal? Contd.... There is a wide spread misconception about S&T. - We can not do; we can live by borrowing technology. Any body can do. - Technology is important but science is not. Technology can not develop without science - S&T is very expensive. Yes and no, but we have to start somewhere - No faith in native scientists. What else is available?

23. Why S&T has Lagged in Nepal? Contd.... * no commitment to self reliance in the area of S&T * inadequate or nonexistent institutional and legal framework. * poor management culture - enterprise of science must be run by scientists, and not by bureaucrats. - democratic culture and tolerance to opposing views is essential for S&T development.

24. Why S&T has Lagged in Nepal? Contd.... * There is very minimal expenditure on research, education and popularisation of S&T. The government is spending about 0.27% of national budget on S&T research. Private sector does not spend any. * There is very effort for technology and knowledge transfer. * There is no funding for exchange and collaboration among scientists. * There is no effort for attracting externally funded research, which is plentiful in the world.

25. What Nepalese abroad can do? Nepal boasts of good quality man power and critical mass of S&T personnel to embark on the path of development. The Nepalese abroad (NRN) possess necessary technology and knowledge to be able to help develop S&T in the country. Many Nepalese also possess capital to invest.

26. What Nepalese abroad can do? * Invest in industry, education and advanced technology. * Bring technological and scientific know-how. * Engage Nepali scientists in projects. * Create funds, charities and scholarships to promote S&T education and related activities. * Discuss ways to improve ties with Nepalese scientists and promote S&T in NRN meetings and conferences.