Research Trends in Science

and Tecnology in Nepal

Prof.Daya Ram Paudyal
HOD,Mathematics,BMC(T.U.)
Member, RMC-BMC
Introduction
 In Nepal, till 1960 research and development were
the concerns initiated by foreign scientists only.
 The first such exploration was on plant resources

done by F. Buchanan-Hamilton in 1802. On faunal

diversity, it was by B. Hodgson in 1826.
 The country was in isolation for 150 years and

hence Nepal has been late starter in research of

modern science and technology.
 A nationwide geological survey was possible
under the UN program of technical assistance in
1960.
 Dr. T. Hagen led such historic survey.
Contd.
 After the implementation of the development
plan in 1956, the Nepal Government took the
initiative in science and technology.

 To develop infrastructure for S&T activities

the government established departments of
Irrigation, Hydrology and Meteorology, Mines
and Geology, Survey and Medicinal Plants
under the ministry of Forestry.
Contd.
 Council for Science and Technology- the
Sixth Plan (1980-1985) gave S&T its due
place for the first time in the development
plan.
 The Royal Nepal Academy of Science and

Technology (RONAST) -the Seventh Plan

(1985-1990).
 A Ministry of Science and Technology was

established in 1996 and upgraded to the

Ministry of Environment, Science and
Technology in 2005.
Contd.
 In 1991, Nepal Agriculture Research Council
was created to consolidate the R&D activities
of the agriculture sector.
 After the establishment of Tribhuvan University

in 1959,some researches were done after1965

for the postgraduate level in natural sciences.
 Then T.U. developed its wings in Medicine,

Forestry, Agriculture, Engineering and Food

Technology in 1972.
 Similarly, several universities have been added,

including Kathmandu University, Purbanchal

University and the Pokhara University .
Methodology

 This study is mainly based on :

 available
information covering a wide
spectrum of science and technology in Nepal.

 relevant
annual reports, brochures and
published articles from journals and
magazines published by NAST,UGC,T.U. .
Scope
 The development in science and technology is taken as a
measure of the development of any country.
 The status of science and technology in Nepal must be

assessed to find out what we have so far: the sum of

historical experience and assets in science and technology
by conducting researches in many dimensions.
 Science is generally understood as the knowledge about

the structure and behavior of the natural and physical

world.
 Technology refers to any means that enhances the capacity

of human beings.
 These all can be strengthen by doing different researches.
Research and Development

Government
Agencies

Universities Research Autonomous

works Institutions

Private
sectors
Government Departments
Institutes
Alternative energy promotion
centre(APEC)
National Information
Technology Centre(NITC)
Development of
Agriculture(DOA)
Development of Plant
Resource(DPR)
Department of Forest Research
Areas
Hydro powerEnergy,Biomass
Energy, wind energy, Geothermal
energy, Solar energy
Technology of E-Governance,
Knowledge-Based Society,
Employment Information
Agri. Extension,Training,Crop
production ,Adaptive research,
Erosion, Equipments
Plant Study , Garden
,Herbariums
Natural Resources, Forest
University Departments
Name Date of Establishment
Tribhuvan University 1959 (B.S.2016)
Mahendra Sanskrit University 1986(B.S.)
Kathmandu University 1991
Purbanchal University 1993

Pokhara University 1996

Lumbini Buddhist University 1998

Agriculture and Forest University 2010

Far Western University 2010

Mid western University 2010

Nepal Open University 2016

Autonomous Organizations
Name Establishment
Research Centre for 1977
Applied Science and
Technology(RICAST,T.U.)

Nepal Academy Science 1983

and Technology

Nepal Agriculture 1991

Research Centre
 Contd.
The involvement of private and non-government
organizations is steadily growing in the R&D
sector in Nepal.

In the plant science, there are several nurseries

and a dozen of private enterprises involving tissue
culture and other production activities.

 The participation of private and NGOs is also

encouraging in alternate energy sector e.g.Bio Gas
Private and Non-Government
Organizations
 Agro Enterprises Center, Botanical Enterprises

 Cosmos Herbal Product, Green Energy Mission

 Himalyan Flora-tech,International Quality

Centre

 HerbalIndustries, Microplant Pvt. Ltd and

Nepal Bio-tech Nursery
Research Papers in National Conference
Subjects 1982 1988 1994 1999 2004

Agricultu 8 (16%) 40 (24%) 33(18%) 70(19%) 120(24%)

re
Biological 21 (41%) 53(32%) 32(17%) 97(26%) 154(31%)
science
Physical 18(35%) 20(20%) 27(14%) 41(11%) 144(23%)
Science
Forest 2(4%) -------- 33(18%) 43(12%) 33(7%)
and ---
Environme
t

Engineeri ------- 14(8%) 28(15%) 31(8%) 30(6%)

ng and
 45
Agriculture
40 Biological Science
Percentage of research papers

Physical Science
35

30

25

20

15

10

5
1980 1985 1990 1995 2000 2005
Years
 45
Forest and Environment
40
Percentage of research papers

Engineering and Tech.

Healthcare and Medicine
35 General

30
25
20
15
10
5
0

1980 1985 1990 1995 2000 2005

Year
Contd.

 The interest of the S&T community in participating in
national and international conferences is on the increase.


 Only 48 papers were submitted for presentation in the
first national level conference on S&T held in 1982
organized by NAST.


 It became 522 in 2004 .


 In other conferences on specific disciplines are held
separately every year.


 All this may be taken as an indication of the increase in
research in scientific activities in the country.
Current researches in Nepal
Research Publication.
Asian Journal of Medical Sciences
Journal of College of Medical Sciences-
Nepal
Journal of Institute of
Medicine
Journal of Nepal Paediatric Society
Journal of Agriculture and Environment

Nepal Agricultural Research Journal

 
Nepal Journal of Science and
Technology

Nepal Population Journal

KU Journal of Science, Engineering and
Technology
YEARWISE DISTRIBUTIONS OF Articles(UGC-
SUPPORT)
Year RPRJ NPRJ Total
2008 2 0 2
2009 3 2 5
2010 4 3 7
2011 6 9 15
2012 9 19 28
2013 6 14 20
2014 3 21 24
2015 8 9 17
 Scientific publication through UGC
support(2008-2015)
Ranked Peer Reviewed articles(RPRJ)and Non
ranked Peered articles(NPRJ)
30

25
Number of articles

20

RPRJ
15
NPRJ
Total
10

0
2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015

Year
Result:
 This study found that the number of researches in
Nepal up to 2004 seemed very low and it is not rich.
 From 2008 to 2015 research activities seemed
effectively growing.
 The policy of separating teaching and research is
also responsible for poor research activities in
Nepal.
Discussion
 As per survey of 2014 there are 102 out of 144
institutions related to S&T in Nepal which are
directly or indirectly involved in researches.
 Till now, there are 11 universities in Nepal which
are directly or indirectly involved in researches.
 The researches related to direct social concerns
like pestisides in Agri-Products,drinking
water,waste management,alternative
energy,market management ,traffick system etc.
 Critical analysis of national budget is our concern.
 Private sectors must also be promoted for
research.
conclusion:
 The history of science teaching at higher
level is less than 100 years.
 Scientific research in Nepal is still new. Till

the initiation of post-graduate teaching at

Universities there was hardly any research
activities .
 Absence of research activities in the teaching

institutions may be attributed.

 The government should allocate more budget

in R&D.
 References
 Bajracharya,D., Bhuju,D.&Pokhrel,J.
(2006).Science,Research&Technology in Nepal,
UNESCO,Kathmandu Office.

 Singh, R.M. and Bhuju, D.R. (2001). Development

of Science and Technology in Nepal, Science,
Technology and Society 6(1): 159-178.
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