Youths should be engaged in science diplomacy, experts point out at a NAST programme

On the occasion of World Science Day 2024, an interaction programme on ‘Science Diplomacy for Nepal: Promotion of Advanced Science and Technology’ was organized by Nepal Academy of Science and Technology (NAST) on Sunday at the NAST, Lalitpur.

The speakers stressed need of science diplomacy for the development and prosperity of the country through exchanging advanced knowledge with other countries and sharing Nepal’s achievements.

Former vice chancellor of NAST Dr. Sunil Babu Shrestha said that Nepal needs to gather strength in science diplomacy and said that the state should give priority to it.

Presenting paper on “Science Diplomacy from the Perspective of Women Scientists,” Hemu Kharel Kafle mentioned that science diplomacy and scientists should to be well connected.

Similarly, presenting paper on “Science Diplomacy in Nepal’s Tripartite Geopolitical Era,” Hari Prasad Chand, visiting faculty of International Relations of Midwest University, said that science diplomacy started in Nepal since the Lichchhavi period (450-750 CE).He stressed that science diplomacy has become necessary for the development of the country.

Speaking on the occasion, Mahesh Kumar Maskey, Nepal’s former ambassador to China, emphasized on science diplomacy and said that we should work in science with social responsibility. He also recommended an 8 point plan for NAST to effectively act on Science Diplomacy.

Similarly, member secretary of NAST Dr. Rabindra Dhakal informed that science and technology could not have been connected to diplomacy and political level. He also clarified that NAST requires an extended financial resource to perform as expected.

Concluding the event former minister for Science and Technology and academician at NAST Er. Ganesh Shah emphasized the need for science diplomacy and expressed the view that science should be people-oriented. Er. Shah who is also coordinator of science diplomacy and science technology promotion sub-committee of NAST said that youth scientists to should be given priority. He appreciated current development of youth involvement in science, technology and innovation sector in the country.

It is also necessary to mention here that Nepal’s position in the Global Scientific Index is 97th.