Minister for Education, Science and Technology, Devendra Poudel has stressed on making the education, learning and teaching system technology-friendly to keep pace with contemporary development.

He said so during the observation of the Nepal Academy of Science and Technology (NAST) office at Khumaltar, Lalitpur on Monday. The Minister of Education, Science and Technology is also the Pro-Chancellor of NAST. On the occasion, Minister Poudel pointed out the need of extending the accessibility of technology to the remote parts of the country as it is the responsibility of the State to connect people with technology.

He instructed NAST to bring programmes to encourage the youth scientists as well. Giving example of two close neighbours, India and china, making rapid strides in science and technology, the Minister Poudel suggested that Nepal should emulate from them. He also urged NAST to carry out pro-people works by establishing coordination with international organisations and various countries.

The Minister also directed the NAST officials to come to the Ministry with a clear plan to resolve its problems like budget crunch, staff management and career development of the employees. Minister of State for Education, Science and Technology, Bodh Kumari Yadav underscored on the development of science and technology for achieving the economic prosperity for the country.

She said NAST should expand to the rural areas. NAST Vice Chancellor Dr Sunil Babu Shrestha said preparations are on to set up NAST offices in all the seven provinces. He said the ‘Science City’ concept would be taken into implementation if the government allocated adequate budget for the same.

Vice Chancellor Shrestha also shared on the occasion that NAST has been running the ‘NAST with Citizens’ programme at the local level and it was also carrying out various works ranging from local indigenous technology to innovative technology.