Draft bill on innovation ready

Kathmandu: The Ministry of Education, Science and Technology has prepared a draft of the first-ever ‘Science and Technology Bill’ to promote research and innovation.

The draft made public through the website of the Ministry recently seeks suggestions from stakeholders, the general public and people’s representatives within 15 days of the issuance. The draft bill proposes the formation of a science, technology and innovation council presided by the Prime Minister to guide this from a high level.

At present, Nepal Academy of Science and Technology (NAST) has been leading the innovation, and research in the science and technology sector in the country. The draft includes other issues such as formulation of the master plan, research, coordination between the government and non-government sectors for development and good governance, ownership, use, management, survey, promotion of innovation and commercialization of research among others.

In the annual policy and programmes of the government for the upcoming fiscal year 2024/25, it was mentioned that the universities, schools, researchers and scientists would be mobilized to implement the programmes related to scientific research and innovation.

Non-resident Nepalis will also be appealed to participate and contribute towards this cause. Furthermore, the curriculum of the university will be revised ensuring that the course of study includes a curriculum related to science, communication and information technology.

The government has adopted the policy to facilitate the registration of patents of the products and knowledge developed by research and innovation. Indu Bikram Joshi, Joint Secretary at the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology said that once the bill is put in place, there would be clarity to set up a fund for the development of science and technology.

Also, investment will increase while the modality of spending for the research and innovation-related works will be clear. The draft mandates that at least one per cent of the gross domestic product (GDP) should be allocated for research and innovation.

At present, the budget allocation for this sector is 0.30 per cent of the GDP. There were an estimated 120 institutions and over 90,000 human resources in the field of the science and technology sector when the policy was issued. The Ministry, however, does not have any exact statistics on it at present.