Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli holds Nepali scientists and their unbridled spirit for scientific pursuit in high esteem.
Speaking at an event organised by Nepal Academy of Science and Technology (NAST) to honour some notable personalities in the field, Prime Minister Oli voiced his concern and interest towards encouraging scientific thinking and academic research in Nepal.
Prime Minister Oli, who is also the Chancellor of NAST, said that Nepali scientists are capable of making world-class inventions. “If scholars here can properly utilise the rich reserve of natural resources and tap into the learnings of their ancestors, scientific thinking will flourish in Nepal,” he said while addressing the crowd of scholars, general spectators and media personnel attending the ceremony.
“Every citizen, irrespective of their background, should be given an opportunity to conduct research in the subject matter they are most interested in. History has always favoured the curious souls who are bold enough to quench their thirst for knowledge,” he further explained, delving into Nepal’s history of education and science. Although Nepal obtained the right to education for all no more than 70 years ago, scientific thinking has a long and illustrious history, he elaborated. “Since Vedic times, we have had personalities who embraced philosophical thinking. To this day we use the knowledge they imparted centuries ago.”
However, history of contemporary education in the field of science and technology is relatively new in Nepal, which began in the first half of the 1980s with the establishment of NAST. Drawing from his own experience, the PM also lauded Nepal’s medical professionals in helping him battle his previous ailments. “I was able to undergo the second kidney transplant thanks to the relentless efforts and knowledge of our native medical doctors. I was able to recuperate within a couple of weeks,” he said.
On the occasion, the Prime Minister presented the NAST Nature Conservation Award 2020 to the World Wildlife Fund for its outstanding work in preservation while also bestowing the prestigious National Innovation Award upon the National Innovation Centre.
In much the same vein, Uttam Babu Shrestha bagged the Science and Technology Award for his successful research on climate impact in the Himalayan region while Dr. Sher Bahadur Pun and Dr. Sunita Gautam each took home an award for their study on COVID-19 and its anti-bodies.
Acknowledging other significant contribution in the field, PM Oli also felicitated Dr. Ananda Mishra for his research on the development of special fertilisers from rice husk, Dr. Anupman Shrestha for his research on biological toxins in pesticide control, and Dr. Sagar Regmi for his research on the interrelationship between cancer and exercise.
In addition, Reshma Tuladhar won the Women’s Science Award thanks to her research on the role of temperature in the spread of dengue. Similarly, astro photographer Manisha Dwa was also recognised for her contribution in Astronomy and Space Robotics while journalist Govinda Prasad Pokharel was felicitated for his role in scientific reportage.
Education Minister Krishna Gopal Shrestha, who was also among the dignitaries in the event, congratulated the award winners.
Source : TRN, Photo : TRN,
