Vice Chancellor of Nepal Academy of Science and Technology (NAST) Prof. Dr. Dilip Subba has said that NAST has started conducting research works to produce its own rocket with the involvement of Nepalese scientists. NAST has recently signed a MoU with a Nepalese organization to conduct research works on rocket technology, he informed. They are planning to launch rocket upto 100 km high in the sky with our involvement, he added.
NAST is also planning to launch another satellite very soon in collaboration with Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO), he further informed. The satellite named Munal is in the process of making with the involvement of Nepalese scientists, according to NAST VC. This will be the second nano satellite manufactured by Nepal. Few years ago Nepal had launched Nepal Sat I, creating history.
“After completion of the project we will approach ISRO for its launching,” he informed.
We are currently engaged in homeworks in the field of rocket and satellite technology, he said. “The satellite basically aims to provide weather related information and take photographs from the space. We are collaborating with a group of youth scientists of Nepal to carry out research and studies in space technology.”
NAST is also planning to collaborate with various international organizations working in the field of science and technology, he said talking to The Nepal Weekly in a special interview. Besides the neighbouring countries India and China we are in the process of forging collaboration with South Korea, Egypt and Israel in different areas, he informed.
In response to a question Prof. Subba expressed concern over plight of youths from Nepal in the name of foreign employment. We have introduced different programmes to discourage youths from leaving the country and to retain talented youths who are already working in foreign land, he said. “We have started brain-pooling programme to attract talented youths who have gone abroad to work. We have also allocated some funds in this field.” We also encourage youths to be engaged in research works by providing them with financial assistance, he added. We also provide platform to talented youths who are eligible to receive foreign funding for their creative projects. They can work with us and we will provide them whatever facility they require, he pointed out.
The main objectives of NAST are conducting study and research, and promoting science and technology in the country, he pointed out.
Besides conducting in-house research and study NAST is also providing grants to different individuals to carry out research works, according to Prof. Subba. “We are also providing scholarship for those pursuing PhD in different science related subjects.”
“NAST is encouraging youths for innovative and emerging technologies research. and working to link scientific inventions made by youths to industries.” “We support youths to receive help from different industries if they have new and innovative ideas,” pointed out Prof Subba.
We have also started research oriented agricultural projects in different parts of the country including certain municipalities. We have also started research on different herbs and explored possibilities of to link them with industries. We are also planning to establish a lab for the purpose.
NAST is also conducting research works on improving agricultural production, food safety, bio technology, clean energy, weather forecasting, climate change, artificial intelligence, gene sequencing etc., according to Prof. Subba.
“We are working keeping in mind the idea of Happy Nepali and Prosperous Nepal,” he pointed out.
In another question, he said NAST doesn’t have AI expert, but we are soon hiring them to work in this field. We are currently in touch with AI experts.
A team of experts from S. Korea has recently visited NAST and expressed their willingness to establish an AI training centre in collaboration with us,” he informed. “We are ready to provide even our space and other facilities to establish the AI training centre with the aim to develop AI. We want to produce qualified experts in the field of AI.”
In another question he said lack of financial resources is the main obstacle for NAST to move forward. “We can bring larger projects like establishment of innovation centre if we have sufficient budget.”
(By Shirish B. Pradhan)
