NAST 43rd Anniversary Emphasizes Research Budget and Honors
Addressing the 43rd anniversary of the Nepal Academy of Science and Technology (NAST) on Saturday, Minister for Education, Science and Technology Mahabir Pun said that the budget for research in science and technology needs to be increased. He stated that the country would develop if the budget for the science and technology sector could be increased.
He said that developed countries made major advances in science and technology along with the industrial revolution, while Nepal has not been able to make progress in science and technology. At the program, NAST Vice-Chancellor Prof. Dr. Dilip Subba said that, compared to the past, the academy has carried out more achievement-oriented work.
Dr. Basanta Pant, who works at Annapurna Neurological Alliance Sciences, has made a notable contribution to the development of modern neuro medicine, modern science, and innovative treatment technologies under neuroscience. In recognition of this contribution, NAST awarded this year’s Chancellor National Innovation Award with a prize of two lakh rupees to Dr. Pant. Not only him, the academy also presented various awards, honors, and letters of appreciation to 28 individuals and institutions that have carried out commendable work in the fields of science and technology.
On the occasion of the 43rd anniversary, individuals and institutions from various fields were honored and awarded. The academy has been providing awards to different individuals since 2042 BS. This year, awards were presented in 13 different categories.
Awards and honors announced this year
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The Science and Technology Award for this year was received by Prof. Dr. Subodh Sharma. He had been working at Kathmandu University. He was awarded for making an important contribution to assessing the quality of rivers and lakes in the Himalayan region by using aquatic organisms as biological indicators.
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Similarly, Dr. Rameshraj Pant was honored with the Science Award. Pant, from Darchula, works at the Department of Forest and Environment, Tribhuvan University. He was honored for making important contributions to water resource management, hydro, and environmental systems.
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Prof. Dr. Sudhan Jha, who works at Kathmandu University, received the Technology Award for making an important contribution to information technology.
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The Science and Youth Award, given each year to young people under 40 for significant contributions in science and technology, was awarded this year to Dr. Sushma Pandey. She is with the Annapurna Research Center, Kathmandu.
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Dr. Muktiram Poudel was awarded for contributing to the development of a new wheat variety that can tolerate drought and high temperatures.
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Dr. Niroj Dahal, Dr. Sagar Aryal, and Bipindra Pandey were also awarded.
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The Women’s Science and Technology Award was received by Dr. Soni Baral.
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In the institutional category, the Nepal Mathematical Society and Jadibuti Production and Processing Company Limited were awarded.
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The Science and Technology Journalism Award was given to Kamala Tamang Pakhrin of Kantipur Daily.
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Under the Dayanand Bajracharya Research Award, Suja Maharjan was awarded in the female student category and Hari Achhami in the male student category.
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The Indrabahadur Katuwal Agriculture Award was given to Dr. Madanraj Bhatt.
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The Mohandhwaj Basnet Technology Award was received by the Nepal Solar Power Producers Association.
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The Bhubaneswar Technology Award was given to Diktel Majhuwagadhi Municipality, Khotang.
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The Balkrishna Shrestha Technology Award was given to Dr. Chhavi Mishra and Bishnuprasad Devkota.
Letters of appreciation and other recognitions
Various individuals were also honored with letters of appreciation. Those receiving letters of appreciation include Ravilaxmi Chitrakar, Usha Budhathoki, Hikmataraj Joshi, and Dr. Shubhanarayan Mahato.
Similarly, radiologist Prof. Dr. Sunil Pradhan was honored under medical science. On behalf of the honored recipients, Dr. Subodh Sharma delivered remarks.
NAST employees were also honored. Those receiving this honor include Dr. Suresh Kumar Dhungel, Dr. Digendra Khadka, and Dr. Ramchandra Poudel.
Awards