1. Nepal S&T and Its Future Prospects Raju Adhikari Principal Research Scientist CSIRO Molecular Science and Health Technologies (Former Senior Scientist, NAST)

2. Outline Part I –Global R&D overview –Australian R&D- Public sector –S&T Indicators –S&T Vision Part II –S&T-Development in Nepal –NAST- A Case Study –S&T Poor Performance: Main Reasons Part III –S&T: New Vision –Way Forward –NRN Role in S&T –S&T Networking- New Approach –Proposed Structure –S&T and Education in 2008 Budget Conclusion

3. Global R&D Spending

4. An overview: World R&D

5. International Patent: A Key Indicator of R&D outcome

6. Source of R&D Funds

7. R&D Workforce

8. S&T Indicators R&D budget (% of GDP) R& D expenses R&D capabilities (Manpower and Infrastructure) –Number of graduates/post graduates and PhD R&D facilities (Equipment and Infrastructure) Strong linkages between public, private and academia sectors Number of patents and publications R&D manpower Collaborations (National and International)

9. S&T Vision Government long term commitment (NASA, NIH) Scientific leaders in innovation and creation Centre of innovation and technology excellence Generate opportunities to retain or attract talents U.S.-40 % of global (R&D), 70 % world’s Nobel Prize winners, 3 quarter of world’s top 40 universities. Private sector lead role A visionary R&D in key S&T areas –Information technology (Q dots, OLED, Softwares, Wireless network) –Medical technology (No sutures, Injection, Targeted drug delivery, Gene technology, Diagnostic (Protein markers), Regenerative medicine –Nano technology

10. Australian R&D R&D budget in 2008 - 10 billion AUD Industrial R&D expense accounts for 0.9% of GDP Industrial R&D is focused on Automotive and Biotechnology (Agriculture, Veterinary) sectors. Government share 50% of the total R&D investment R&D manpower is > 70,000

11. Australia: Public Sector R&D 3 Public Research Institutes, CSIRO, ANSTO and AIMS 63 cooperative research centres (CRC) were established nationally to strengthen the linkage between university, industry, and research institute 6 National Flagship projects in key areas Energy, Metal, Health, Niche Manufacturing, Environment and Energy to address national issues S&T agreements with 11 countries and 3 international organizations Weakness is in manufacturing industry, university industry linkage, and S&T manpower.

12. Nepal S&T-Development Ministry of Science and Technology A revised Science and Technology Policy 1966 1991 National Council Science and Technology (NCST) for Scientific Research Nepal Academy of Science and Technology (NAST) Integration of local S&T Capabilities and Activities Concept of National laboratories Nepal Agriculture Research Council (NARC) 2005 National Health Research Council (NHRC) 1956- 1966 1980- 1985 Development Plan 1956- Infrastructure for S&T activities, Govt Departments, TU University

13. R&D Activities Public University - 4 TU, KU, PU, PU Autonomous-2 Private Govt Department Centre Agriculture Agriculture Health Health Biodiversity and Biodiversity and plant resources plant resources Forestry Forestry Hydrology Hydrology Meteorology survey Meteorology survey Alternate Energy Alternate Energy Promotion Centre Promotion Centre (AEPC) (AEPC) National Information National Information Technology Centre Technology Centre (NITC) (NITC) Institute of agriculture and animal Science Institute of agriculture and animal Science Institute of engineering Institute of engineering Institute of forestry Institute of forestry Institute of medicine Institute of medicine Research centre for applied science and technology (RECAST) Research centre for applied science and technology (RECAST) Nepal academy of Nepal academy of Science and Technology (NAST)- 2 Departments Nepal Agriculture Research Council (NARC)- 18 Research centre Nepal Agriculture Research Council (NARC)- 18 Research centre 100 companies Agriculture Alternate energy Medical Professional Societies

14. Private 15 in Agriculture sector Alternate Energy Companies 18 Solar thermal installation 18 Solar thermal installation 64-biogas construction companies 64-biogas construction companies Medical Companies Nepal Netrajyoti Sangh Nepal Netrajyoti Sangh Tilganga Eye Centre Tilganga Eye Centre Agro Enterprises Centre, Botanical Enterprises Cosmos Herbal Product, Green Energy Mission, Himalayan Flora-tech, International Quality Herbal Industries, Microplant Pvt. Ltd, Nepal Biotech Nursery, Dabur Nepal, King Mahendra Trust for Nature Conservation, Research Laboratory for Agricultural Biotechnology and Biochemistry Resources Himalaya, Biodiversity Study Centre, Institute of Biodiversity of Nepal

15. Professional Societies- 1995 Data Nepal Science Association in 1956 96 Professional Societies Largest Associations –Nepal Engineers Association (Members > 3500) –Nepal Medical Association, Members > 3000 Internal publications: –Professional Societies Journals (37) –National S&T Conference 48 papers in 1982 to 502 in 2004.

16. R&D Budget and Expenditure- in US$ Exchange Rate US$ 1= NRs 75 UNESCO (2005)

17. R&D Manpower- 1995 Source UNESCO 2005

18. S &T Apex Body- NAST A Case Study

19. RONAST/NAST- Objectives Advancement of science and technology for all round development of the nation Preservation and further modernization of indigenous technologies Promotion of research in science and technology Identification and facilitation of appropriate technology transfer

20. RONAST/NAST: Function-15 The specific functions of NAST are to: - Undertake studies/reports on the achievements of S&T in the country. Advise the Government on formulation technology transfer policy and its implementation. Implement S&T programs in collaboration with national and international organizations. Conduct and promote research in priority areas of science and technology. Collect and disseminate S&T information through a central S&T Information System. Organize seminars and conferences on S&T topics and help facilitate S&T publications. Establish and strengthen linkages with regional and international institutions in order to promote mutual cooperation. Mobilize internal and external resources both financial and technical, for S&T development as well as to carry out the activities of the Academy. Give recognition to outstanding individual and institutional contribution for development, promotion and application of S&T. Enhance public awareness towards the importance and usefulness of S&T as well as to create conditions conducive for S&T application. Advise Government of Nepal on S&T development programs. Advise Government of Nepal on the establishment of new institutions or laboratories for S&T related research and development. Provide financial and technical assistance for the establishment and development of new S&T institutions/laboratories. Set up centres for S&T related innovations and innovative models. Undertake all necessary measures to achieve the goals and objectives of the Academy.

21. NAST-Structure

22. NAST Agreements InstitutionsAgreement signed Third World Academy of Sciences (TWAS)October 1, 1986 The Royal Swedish Academy of SciencesMarch 2, 2001 Korean Academy of Science and TechnologySeptember 24, 2003 Chinese Academy of SciencesMarch 24, 2004 Indian National Science Academy (INSA), IndiaOctober 20, 2002 Hungarian Academy of SciencesNovember 9, 2003 Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), India October 24, 2002 Consiglio Nazionale della Recerche (CNR), ItalyNovember1,1991 Institute de la Recherche Agronomique (INRA), France May 14, 2001 University of Freiburg, GermanyOctober 10, 2001 University of Zurich, SwitzerlandMay, 19, 2003 University of Tokyo, JapanJuly 28, 1999 Natural History Museum, UKJuly 9, 1999 Royal Botanical Garden, EdinburghJuly 9, 1999 The Academy of Sciences of IranSeptember 25, 2003 The Bangladesh Academy of SciencesMarch 24, 2004 National Council of Science Museums, Kolkata, India June 26, 2002 Institute of Microbial Technology, Chandigarh, IndiaFebruary 12, 1997 Central Drug Research Institute, Lucknow, IndiaFebruary 14, 1997 Asian Institute of Technology (AIT), ThailandFebruary 9, 2004 The University of Strthclyde, UKApril 30, 1999 National 8 International 21

23. NAST Agreements International Council of Scientific Unions (ICSU). International Foundations of Sciences (IFS). International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). Federation of Asian Scientific Academies and Societies (FASAS). Information Network on New and Renewable Energy Resources and Technology for Asia and the Pacific (INNERTAP) Centre for Science and Technology of Non-Aligned Countries ( NAM ) Association for Science Cooperation in Asia (ASCA) Science and Technology Policy Asian Network (STEPAN) Association of Asia 's Scientific Academies (AASA) International Development Research Centre (IDRC)

24. Publications -200 in 25 years Vigyan Lekhmala since 1986 Nepal Journal of Science and Technology since 1999 Nepal Journal of Science and Technology since 1999 Proceedings SAARC Workshop on Biofertilizer Technology, 1989 Proceedings Discussion Forum on Pollution Preventing Strategies for the Kathmandu Valley, 1995 Citrus Greening Disease: A Compiled Study, 1990 Proceedings of Workshop on Indigenous Technological Capabilities of Industry Level, 1993 Proceedings of IInd National Conference on Science & Technology, 1994 – Endogenous Capacity Building in S & T Development in Nepal, Vol. II, 1996 Proceedings of IIIrd National Conference on Science & Technology, 1999 - Ramaila Prayogharu (In Nepali), B.S. 2055 Urja Ra Urjaka ka Shrotharu, (In Nepali) B.S. 2055 Science and Technology in Nepal 2001 Proceedings of International Seminar on Mountains, 2002 Status Paper on Zoology, Statistics, Forestry, Plant Sciences - 4th National Conference on Science and Technology: Abstracts, 2004

25. Research Activities Biotechnology programs –Conservation of Aromatic and medicinal plant –Molecular Diagnostic of Citrus greening Disease –Molecular characterization of Medicinal plants -Tea clones -Bacillus thuringinsis –Research on Organic farming –Antagonistic Study of Ectomycorrhiza -Study of the role of Endomycorrhiza Natural products research –Bioprospecting of Cordyceps sinensis-Biopesticides study program -Analytical services Environment and Radiation research –Microbial analysis of tap water, mineral water milk, soft drink and others -Chemical Microbial analysis of ground water -Detection of arsenic in ground water and removal of iron and arsenic. - Radiation hazards assessment in hospitals and nursing homes in Nepal. High altitude sciences –Study of mushroom diversity and its economic value in Sagarmatha National Park Area. -Local knowledge and ethnomedicinal botany of high altitude plants in Sagarmatha National Park Nepal. –Distribution of C 3 and C 4 plants along environmental gradients in Eastern Himalayas of Nepal. -Ev-K²- CNR Committee Technology application and development Technology application and development –Research works on Briquetting Technology –Study on Solar Pump -Instrumentation Centre

26. NAST: History RONAST established during Panchyat time as an Apex Coordinating Body in S&T (Non working Academy) VC - Non Scientist (PhD in Geography) Absolute power and large budget Agreements signed with overseas public S&T organizations RONAST jobs – not permanent Democracy in 1992 triggered uprising Change in political system changed RONAST structure New structure introduced without proper consultation and discussion Appointment of Academician from representative political parties polarized the Academy’s functioning Academician appointed lifetime with no clear role and responsibilities S&T failure- Linked to Panchyat regime

27. NAST Achievements in 25 Years NAST own building at Khumaltar (85 ropanies) New building with old vision Many Academicians and no projects Many awards and grants PhD fellowships program with University National S&T Conference every 4 years Radio program (Science Quiz, Interviews) Science Learning Centre (SLC) launched National Forensic Laboratory established National Instrumentation Centre ? High Altitude Research Laboratory-established Few In-house projects Talk Program, Meet your scientist program Workshop and seminar

28. A Classic Example of a Failed Project Advanced Natural Products Research Laboratory (ANPRL)- Identified as a National project in health sector Aligned with policies of establishing national laboratory Aimed to provide a centralized R&D facilities with modern Instrumentations (NMR/GC/GC-MS, SEM, FTIR ) Organised an International conference Princess Chulabhorn, Mahidol university agreed to jointly fund this project with support from International community Proposal submitted to Mahidol University through Chancellor office Change in Political system in 1992 Project collapsed and never followed up Nepal doesn’t have necessary equipment such as NMR/Mass Spectrometry/SEM etc necessary for R&D work

29. NAST- Main Reasons for Poor Performances No defined role and responsibility (Working or Non working academy) Broad agreements Failed leadership No new initiatives and vision Working in isolation Academician out of touch and no raw model Power equation to become VC Political appointments (Academician and VC) Nepotism and poor governance No initiatives or program for NRN S&T manpower ( A global resources with new blood and ideas) Small In-house projects with poor funding without major collaborations, a road to failure

30. S&T Poor Performance: Main Reasons Political instability Not in Government priority No clear national S&T strategic plan Political appointments in all S&T institutions No Science and Technology leaders Poor R&D budget –Poor research infrastructure –Poor scientific manpower –No national coordinated efforts in R&D Weak linkages between different R&D institutions No incentives to private sectors Confusion between R or D or both Few collaborations (Intra, Inter and International) Duplications of R&D No commercial focus and patent protection

31. Examples: R&D Tax Incentives in Other Countries

32. Nepal S& T New Vision Creating a team from different scientific fields and having a coordinated approach to find solutions to Nepal problems Purpose –Serve Nepalese Community and benefit our IndustryEnvironmentSociety

33. Way Forward S&T recognition and investment A long term vision and serious commitment Fresh approach and initiatives –A separate R&D wing in Planning commission –S&T seat in upper house –Invite NRN resources and brain for S&T investment –Organize a national conference of all R&D institutions (private/public & academia) and prepare S&T development master plan for the next decade A development plan for S&T human resources next 10 years Redefine the role of NAST Form a Prime ministerial S&T advisory committee comprising of top scientists, technocrats and business minds Establish a separate S&T department

34. Way Forward Realign or merge Departments/Institutions with similar objectives to best utilize the resources and better service from R&D Establish National laboratories in Key S&T areas (Chemical. Biological, Environment, Water Resources, Forestry, Alternate energy and Information sciences) Create Federation of all societies- Lobby group Identify S&T investment areas and invite foreign investment Launch National projects in priority areas with clear focus –Invite external Science leader to review national projects on annual basis –Develop strong KPI to monitor R&D performance Create national fellowship to attract and retain best scientists

35. Way Forward Establish a strong patent portfolio to protect R&D outcome Double the number fellowships (PhD, master and visiting scientist) in overseas countries Tax incentives in all R&D work Give incentives to Universities to develop strong links overseas to expand higher education infrastructure (KU) Create a national S&T database Look out for Science leaders Higher the best brain for the top job Knowledge based nation- (Invite, attract and retain talented Nepalese brain )

36. Biotechnology Sector (Yarsha Gumba): An example Identify and invite collaborative national proposals Approach overseas private companies for funding and investment –Advertise the project globally, institutional approach or individual contacts –Develop the proposal jointly with a clear objectives commercial focus and time frame –Nepal to provide resources and manpower –Advanced testing and formulation development overseas –Patent royalties to be shared –Access to clinical trials in Nepal- Investment opportunity –Tax incentives and other flexibility for the company –Manufacturing of products in Nepal (cheap resources) –10% of profit from the sell for reinvestment in R&D in Nepal

37. NRN Role NRN should play a lead role NRN to organise International S&T conference every two years in Nepal Create a separate NRN S&T wing (Representative from country chapters globally) –Generate skill database and strong networking –Invite ideas and identify key areas for S&T investment –Create S&T investment funds –Submit a proposal to Nepal Govt –Launch collaborative projects in key areas Appoint a S&T representative in NRN ICC NRN ICC representative in the PM S&T advisory committee

38. NRN Approach Create an investment fund ($ 1M) for R&D in priorities research areas Initial funding for 1-2 projects with a clear commercial focus (Value added applied research) A strong networking of NRN S&T expertise and resources through above projects in Nepal Revenue generation- Spin off companies, licensing of patent or technology sale New NRN PhD and post –doctoral fellowships in above project –Fellowship linked to commitment in the project Local employment, infrastructure development and creation of wealth (long run)

39. Public sector NRN Private sector Foreign Investment Benefit to Industry Environment Society Global Network Nepal S&T Nepal S&T networking- New Approach -------- Old approach --------- New approach

40. Prime Minister S&T Advisory Body Planning commission S&T Wing Ministry of S&T NAST Department of S&T National Laboratories Govt Departments NRN S&T committee Private sector Federation S&T society NRN ICC Rep, Public sector Academia, Private sector Federation of Societies Prime Minister and Cabinet ------ and Red: New approach

41. Applied R&D National Proposal Foreign investment Patent Protection Partnering S &T Mechanism- National Coordinated Approach Priortize Key R&D areas Sale/License Spin off Companies

42. Brain Drain ? Migration of Nepalese professionals –on rise 14 years in CSIRO- Co-inventor of 2 spin off companies PolyNovo and Aortech Biomaterials, 20 patents and 40 international journal papers and 50 International conference abstracts Research ideas led to multimillion dollar business, created employment and infrastructure development Can state use such experience and knowledge and is there any opportunity ? Recent initiatives to start a collaborative proposal between CSIRO and NAST failed, No interest Is Brain drain an issue Is Reverse brain drain a need now ?

43. Education gets Govt support- Budget 2008 5% Tax (Rs 1.41 billion) on total revenue generated by the private schools and colleges (i.e., all higher institutions). –1.5 million students, 8500 private schools, and 70,000, 250 private colleges. 10% tax levy from the sin taxes on alcohol, tobacco, and casinos – Rs 1 billion Total = 2.4 billion NRs Independent trust funds –3.5 years education vouchers –25% school grants –75% vouchers for vocational and technical education

44. Science and Technology to be promoted- Budget 2008 Programme to stops brain-drain of the indigenous scientists and technologists A National lab set up under National Academy for Science and Technology (NAST) to expedite the studies and researches in area of science and technology. 5 th National Science Conference to be convened in Kathmandu Rs 230 millions for National Information Bank to protect important public information from catastrophe and anthropogenic accidents. Rs. 57.5 million for additional 175 Tele-centres in rural communities, schools and post offices. One Tele-centre in each Village Development Committee Establishment of a Climate Change Research Centre

45. Conclusion There is no silver bullet or magic solution No short cut approach A new vision, passion, commitment and approach is necessary Realigning of the national priorities and existing structure is important Increase S&T budget to almost 2% of GDP NRN role is critical to S&T development Knowledge/Skill grafting is critical to S&T prosperity