PM Oli urges scientists to work on novel research

KATHMANDU: Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli has urged the country’s scientists to be involved in new research.

Addressing the 47th Academic Assembly of Nepal Academy of Science and Technology (NAST) convened at the Prime Minister’s official residence in Baluwatar today, PM Oli, also the NAST Chancellor, urged the scientists to conduct research on how to restore the soil quality, as the soil throughout the country has been degraded due to the increasing use of chemical fertilizer and pesticides.

According to the Prime Minister, it would contribute to increasing the production and productivity if research could be carried out on how to check the destructive pathogens while protecting the helpful ones in vegetable production.

“The research should be carried out considering the country’s need rather than on whatever topic one likes. Let there be collaboration with organizations like the Nepal Agricultural Research Council (NARC) in the field of research in the agriculture sector. I will take the leadership of the work on maintaining good governance and I urge you scientists to contribute to the change in the country through new studies and research,” he said.

Noting that Nepal, the land of the origin of knowledge, science and yoga, is lagging behind in terms of development, PM Oli said, “We had already entered the age of animal husbandry when others had been in the hunting stage. Now, we should pay attention to using the ‘green hydrogen’ and putting Nepal’s own space satellite in orbit. We should be able to establish the earthquake early-warning system.”

Prime Minister Oli on the occasion asserted that our self-confidence increases when one remembers the development our ancestors achieved in the fields of ayurveda, acoustics in terms of use and practice although not in terms of their theorization.

The Academic Assembly has approved programmes along with a budget of Rs 506 million and 839 thousand for the fiscal year 2024/25.

Pro-Chancellor and Minister for Education, Science and Technology Bidhya Bhattarai also attended the Assembly.

NAST Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Dilip Subba appreciated the government’s considering science, technology and innovation as the basis of prosperity.