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f Newsletter of the Royal Nepal Academy of Science and Technology

l l Kathmandu, Nepal
May-July 2001

FELICITATION

RONAST family extends hearty felicitation to the Patron of RONAST His Majesty King Gyanendra Bir
Bikram Shah Dev on the occasion of the accession to the throne of Kingdom of Nepal.

Tribute to their late Majesties HM King Grants Audience

to VC

Royal Nepal Academy of Science
and Technology (RONAST) organized a
condolence meeting on June 12, 2001 at
its premises in Khumaltar to mourn and
pay tribute to His late Majesty King
Birendra Bir Bikram Shah. Late King
Birendra was the Patron of the Academy
and its founder Chancellor. On the
occasion, tributes were also paid to Her late
Majesty Queen Aisworya, His late Majesty
King Dipendra and other members of the
Royal Family.
Offering his tribute, RONAST Vice
Chancellor Prof. Dr. Dayananda
Bajracharya highlighted the contribution
made by the late King Birendra for the en-
hancement of Science and Technology
(S&T) in the country. The late King, real-
izing the vital role that S&T could play for
economic development and modernization
of the country, in his own initiative estab- His Majesty King Gyanendra Bir
lished a number of S&T organizations in Bikram Shah Dev granted audience to
the country. RONAST was also established Vice Chancellor Prof. Dr. Dayananda
in 1982 by the Royal Directive of the late Bajracharya on July 13 at the Narayanhiti
King. In his condolence note, Prof. Royal Palace. His Majesty the King is the
Bajracharya recalled the gracious visit of Patron of Royal Nepal Academy of
the late King Birendra, the late Queen Science and Technology.
Aisworya and the then late Crown Prince
Dipendra during the inauguration INSIDE
ceremony of the newly constructed main
office building of RONAST. * 13th Academic Assembly
During the condolence meeting, * Awards Distribution
flowers and garlands were offered on the * Cooperation with
portraits of their late Majesties, and two INRA/TU/KU/BPKIHS/AEPC
minutes silence was observed by all those * Nomination
present on the occasion. Academicians, * Grants & Fellowships
scientists and technologists, and the * Article- In memory of Late
employees of RONAST were present on Patron King Birendra
the occasion. * Publication

1

The 13th Academic Assembly
meeting of RONAST was held on April
11. The meeting was chaired by then Rt.
Hon’ble Prime Minister and Chancellor of
RONAST Mr. Girija Prasad Koirala. Mr
Koirala, on the occasion observed that
RONAST must give something concrete
to the society through the application of
S&T. That the Academy now is furnished
with necessary infrastructure and has also
improved its physical facilities, the nation’s
apex body of S&T should come up with
result oriented research and other activi-
ties. The intellectuals of the sector should
also concentrate on what they can give to
the nation through S&T and come up with
suitable programs with respect to the need
of the country.
Delivering the welcome speech,
RONAST Vice Chancellor Prof. Dr. D.
Bajracharya highlighted on different activi-
Chancellor Presents Awards and Releases Book
The then Rt. Hon’ble Prime Minis-
ter and Chancellor of RONAST Mr Girija
Prasad Koirala presented S&T awards to
five outstanding persons amidst a special
function on July 4 at the RONAST
premises, Khumaltar. HM King Birendra
S&T Academy Award was conferred on
Prof. Dr. Mangala Devi Manandhar for her
contribution in chemical analysis and
Birendra Pradhan
13Th Academic Assembly
ties of the Academy.
Minister for Science and Technol-
ogy and RONAST Pro Chancellor Mr
Surendra Prasad Chaudhary and the Vice
Chairman of National Planning Commis-
identification of compounds in medicinal
plants. Similarly, Crown Prince Dipendra
S&T Academy Award was given to Dr. Dev
Bahadur Khadka for his work on
Collisional De-excitation from Neon
through nuclear techniques, Dr. Sabita
Shrestha for her work on study of
structure and uses of Lanthanide Complex
and Dr. Padam Bahadur Shahi for his work
2
sion, Mr Prithvi Raj Ligal were also present
on the occasion. At the assembly,
Academician Dipak Gewali extended vote
of thanks.
on mapping and traffic pressure on hilly
roads supported by simulation works. The
Mohandhoj Basnet Technology Award was
given to Mr Kayeswar Man Sulpya for his
research, development and promotion of
improved stoves.
On the occasion, then Rt. Hon’ble
Prime Minister Mr Koirala said, scientists
should play a catalytic role in nation build-
ing task by giving priority to programs with
respect to geo-physical situation of the
country and the availability of natural
resources and manpower. He further added
that people working in S&T should give
emphasis on conservation of nature and
implementation of sustainable develop-
ment programs.
Mr Surendra Prasad Chaudhary,
then Minister for Science and Technology
and Pro Chancellor of RONAST, on the
occasion, said His Majesty’s Government
has given priority for advancement of S&T.
He called on scientists to emphasize on
technology that would raise production and
productivity as well as meet the demands
of the country. Vice Chancellor of
RONAST Prof. Dr. Dayananda
Bajracharya pointed out that the five
talented personalities have been honored
this year in line with RONAST’s policy of
honoring and encouraging persons and
organizations making outstanding
contribution to the development and
VC Signs Agreement with INRA and Attends Meeting
on Human Rights and Scientists
Left to right President of INRA, French Ambassador to Nepal and RONAST Vice Chancellor after signing
MOU, in Bordeanx, France, May 2001.
Amemorandum of understanding
(MOU) was signed between the Royal
Nepal Academy of Science and Techno-
logy (RONAST) and the Institute de la
MOU Between RONAST and TU, KU &
BPKIHS
W ith a view to promote scientific
collaboration between RONAST and other
national organizations, RONAST has
signed memorandum of understanding
with Tribhuvan University, Kathmandu
University and B.P. Koirala Institute of
Health Sciences on separate occasions. The
promotion of S&T.
On the occasion then Prime
Minister Mr Koirala also released a book
Science and Technology in Nepal written
by Vice Chancellor Prof. Bajracharya.
Commenting on the book Prof. Dr. Krishna
Manandhar, Dean, Institute of Science and
Technology, TU said, the book will be
useful for all those who seek information
Recherche Agronomique (INRA), France,
to promote scientific cooperation between
Nepal and France in Bordeaux, France. The
agreement was signed by Vice Chancellor
MOU were signed by Vice-Chancellor
Prof. D. Bajracharya on behalf of
RONAST, Vice-Chancellor Mr Nabin
Prakash Jung Shah on behalf of TU,
Vice-Chancellor Prof. Suresh Raj Sharma
on behalf of KU and Vice-Chancellor Prof.
Shekhar Koirala on behalf of BPKIHS.
3
on development of science and techno-logy
in Nepal. On the occasion, RONAST Acad-
emician Dipak Gewali extended Vote of
thanks. Earlier Dr Trinetra Man
Pradhananga, Chief of the Promotion
Division of RONAST, gave introduction
of the recipients of the awards and their
contribution.
Prof. Dr. Dayananda Bajracharya, on
behalf of RONAST and President Mr
Pierre Chassin on behalf of INRA on May
14, 2001. Ambassador of France, Mr
Claude Ambrosini was also present on the
occasion.
The agreement will facilitate
cooperation in areas of exchanging of
scientists, research workers and scholars
as well as in exchange of scientific and
technical information and documentation.
Other cooperation areas will be, organi-
zing joint seminars and courses along with
research programs that could lead to
application of research results in industry,
agriculture, etc.
Similarly other areas of cooperation
will be in setting up joint ventures and
laboratories along with studies to explore
natural resources and development of
suitable technological processes and
procedures.
Earlier Vice Chancellor Prof. Dr.
Dayananda Bajracharya attended a
meeting on Human Rights and Scientists
held from May 9-11, 2001 in Paris. The
meeting was jointly organized by
International Human rights Network of
Academies and Scholarly Societies, French
Academy of Sciences and National
Academy of Sciences USA. About sixty
representatives of Academies from
different countries of the world participated
in the meeting.
***

MOU Signed to Establish SETS
A Memorandum of understanding
was signed between the Royal Nepal
Academy of Science and Technology
(RONAST), the Alternative Energy
Promotion Center (AEPC) and the Energy
Sector Assistance Program (ESAP) to
establish Solar Energy Test Station (SETS)
in Nepal.
Vice Chancellor Prof. Dr.
Dayananda Bajracharya on behalf of
RONAST, Executive Director Dr. Madan
Bahadur Basnyat on behalf of AEPC and
Acting Chief Adviser Mr Jan a Argiaboda
of ESAP jointly signed the memorandum
of understanding in RONAST on July 10,
2001.
For the smooth operation of SETS,
Prof. Dr. Manandhar,
RONAST’s New Secretary
The Prime Minister, in capacity of
RONAST’s Chancellor has appointed
Prof. Dr. Krishna Manandhar as the new
Secretary of
RONAST. He
was appointed
according to
the RONAST
Act, 2048 on
the recom-
mendation of
Vice Chance-
llor of RONAST. Prior to this appointment
Prof. Manandhar was Dean of Institute of
Science and Technology, Tribhuvan
University (IOST-TU).
Graduated in Chemistry from the
Tribhuvan University in 1969 with a gold
medal, Prof. Manandhar received his
doctoral degree from Southampton Univer-
sity (UK) in 1979 for his thesis entitled
“Electrochemical studies of surface oxida-
tion on electrodes”. He had his post-
doctoral research in Karlsruhe University,
Germany, in 1983 and 1990. To his credit,
he has research articles published in
a six-member Managing Board was formed
under the chairmanship of the Vice
Chancellor. The main objective of SETS
is to perform quality control of the
components of photovoltaic (PV) systems
installed under DANIDA energy sector
assistance program and to improve solar
energy technology in Nepal.
His Majesty’s Government of
Nepal and the Government of Denmark
concluded an agreement to provide subsidy
to promote solar home systems and a
number of institutional systems. Under the
agreement, within the first phase, approxi-
mately 25,000 solar home systems will be
disseminated by March 2004. SETS will
focus on testing of the Solar Photovoltaic
several national and international journals.
Prof. Manandhar began his carrier
as a demonstrator in chemistry laboratory
of Amrit Science College in 1967. In 1971,
he joined Central Department of Chemis-
try at TU as lecturer where he became
professor of chemistry in 1990. He served
the university as Assistant Dean and finally
as Dean of IOST in 1994. During his
carrier he has also made contribution in
several committees, councils and govern-
ing bodies of HMG.
The outgoing secretary of
RONAST Mr. Bishwa Nath Aryal’s term
expired on July 1, 2001 He served
RONAST for four years.
Financial Support to Profes-
sional Societies
Under its professional societies
support grant program, RONAST has
provided financial support to Nepal
Chemical Society, Diploma Engineers
Association, Nepal, Nutrition Foundation
for Women and Children and Council for
Mathematics Education.
4
components installed under the program.
DANIDA under the ESAP program will
provide test equipment and also help in
capacity building as grant to strengthen
SETS.
Nationtal Talent Award to
Dr Regmi
Chief of the Science Faculty of RONAST,
Dr. Chiranjeebi Regmi, has been awarded
the National Talent Award 2001 for science
and technology for his research work on
“Citrus virus and virus-like diseases”. This
award was established on 1993 in honor
of the late Nepali Scientist Gehendra
Shamsher JBR. The award carries a cash
prize of Rs. 15,000 along with a letter of
felicitation.
Fellowships Awarded
RONAST has provided different
Fellowships and Research Grants under
the RONAST promotional activities.
Persons provided with different fellow-
ships are:
Ph. D. Fellowship
Mr Devendra Mananda Bajracharya
Central Department of Botany, Tribhuvan
University
Mrs. Kanta Poudel
Central Department of Botany, Tribhuvan
University
Mr Rabin Lal Shrestha
Central Department of Statistics,
Tribhuvan University
Research grants
Dr. Tej Narayan Mandal
Mahendra Morang Adarsha Campus,
Tribhuvan University, Biratnagar
Mr Balram Pant
Mahendra Morang Adarsha Campus,
Tribhuvan University, Biratnagar
 In Memory of Late Patron King Birendra
Late King Birendra’s Contribution in the Development of
Science and Technology in Nepal
By
Dayananda Bajracharya
H is late Majesty King Birendra
Bir Bikram Shah (1945-2001)believed that
science and technology (S&T) has a great
role to play in the modernization and
economic development of our country.
Late Patron King Birendra visiting RONAST laboratory, Khumaltar
Various steps that late King Birendra
undertook during his reign amply prove
this fact. Under the direct initiatives of late
King Birendra, Nepal witnessed the estab-
lishment of several important national S&T
organizations
Although higher education began
in Nepal in 1959 with the establishment of
Tribhuvan Univesity, higher education in
the field of technical subjects became
possible only after early 1970s. In 1972
institutes of engineering, medicine,
forestry and agriculture and animal
sciences were established under TU. Late
King Birendra played a direct role in the
establishment of these technical institutes.
Massive foreign aid was provided to
develop infrastructure and manpower of
these institutes. These technical institutes
were instrumental in the training of tech-
nical manpower in numbers urgently
needed by the country. Following the
establishment of these institutes several
other technical institutes of higher learn-
ing have now been established in the
private sector.
Nepal is today almost self-reliant
in generating highly skilled technical man-
power in basic technical subjects, and aca-
demic standard of some of these institutes
is at par with that of some of the best simi-
lar institutes in South Asia. Although the
scientific community voiced since early
1960s the need for a national body to
coordinate S&T activities in the country it
was only in 1976 that such a body, the
National Council for Science and Technol-
ogy (NCST), was established by late King
Birendra’s royal directives. In 1982, late
King Birendra established the Royal
Nepal Academy of Science and Technol-
ogy (RONAST) as an apex body of S&T
with the objective of promoting S&T in the
country for its all round development. By
personally assuming the post of Chancel-
lor of the Academy, late King Birendra
played a direct role in Academy’s devel-
opment. Necessary land was procured and
a master plan was prepared for the
long-term development of the Academy.
The present RONAST building, which was
5
inaugurated by late His Majesty on August
28, 2000 was a part of that master plan.
His late Majesty established in
1982 the King Mahendra Trust for Nature
Conservation, a step that not only played
an important role in nature conservation
but also led to basic research in wildlife
behavior, flora, fauna, ecosystems, etc. In
1989, Council for Technical Education and
Vocational Training was established to
produce middle-level manpower in
technical and vocational subjects.
An International Summer School
in Physics was jointly organized by
RONAST and TU in 1989 under the spon-
sorship of International Center for Theo-
retical Physics at the initiative of late Nobel
Laureate Abdus Salam. The School was
inaugurated by His late Majesty. During the
event, late Abdus Salam proposed to His
late Majesty King Birendra the establish-
ment of an International Center for Science
and Technology in Kathmandu. Abdus
Salam assured his personal effort to mobi-
lize manpower and financial resources at
international level to run the center. Under
late King Birendra’s instruction His
Majesty’s Government set up a committee
of senior scientists, including the author,
to prepare a proposal for the establishment
of the center. The proposal was prepared
that was also endorsed by late Abdus
Salam.
Similarly, during the state visit to
Federal Republic of Germany in 1985 His
late Majesty King Birendra promoted the
idea of seeking German assistance to
strengthen higher education in basic
sciences under the Institute of Science of
TU. Accordingly, TU prepared a 15-years
plan to develop basic sciences in the uni-
versity and submitted to German Govern-
ment. The German Government had agreed
to further push the matter, sent appraisal
teams and even made some funds
available to implement the project. But
unfortunately, both projects could not be
successfully realized due to the political
unrest. Had these projects been
implemented basic sciences would have
got the same kind of priority and support
as did the technical subjects like medicine,
engineering, agriculture and forestry in TU.
His late Majesty’s concern for the
promotion of basic sciences is also evinced
by the fact that under late His Majesty’s
direct intervention TU converted in 1987
the then Faculty of Science into the Insti-
tute of Science, according it the same
status as the technical institutes of TU.
His late Majesty King Birendra
always encouraged S&T professionals. His
late Majesty inaugurated several national
and international conferences organized by
S&T professional societies enhancing the
importance of such meetings. During such
meetings His late Majesty used to grant
audience to prominent foreign scientists
and discuss with them seriously about
how international collaboration could
contribute to the promotion of S&T
activities in Nepal.
His late Majesty granted audience
to prominent world-famous scientists,
including several Nobel laureates, who
visited Nepal, showing the importance His
late Majesty accorded on the exchange of
views with outstanding scholars to
promote S&T in Nepal. His late Majesty
also gave prizes to national talents estab-
lished by RONAST to promote research
and encourage young scientists and
technologists of Nepal.
In a royal message for a book
titled “Science and Technology in Nepal”,
published by RONAST in 2001 and
written by the present author, His late
Majesty expressed the opinion that “the
application of science and technology is a
valuable tool to achieve economic well
being of Nepali people”. This proves how
much importance His late Majesty attached
to the role of S&T in the economic devel-
opment of the country.
These are only some examples of
His late Majesty King Birendra’s contri-
bution in the development of S&T in the
country. The sad and untimely demise of
late King Birendra is a great loss for the
S&T community of our country.

Talk Program
Date Speaker Institution/Country Topic
Apr 17, 2001 Dr. Dietrich Schmidtvogt South Asia Institute, University of Shifting cultivation in Thailand and Nepal:
Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany A comparative assessment
Jun 1, 2001 Dr. Deepak Kumar Khadka RLAAB, Nepal NA-marker and genes linked to sex of dioecious
plants Mercuralis annua
Jun 19, 2001 Prof. Dr. Judith W. Zysking Dept. of Biology San Diego State Elitra Pharmaceuticals: Ultra rapid screen to lead
University, USA technologies in antibiotic discovery
Jun 19, 2001 Prof. Dr. Anca Mara Segall Dept. of Biology, San Diego State The new age of phage
University, USA
Jun 26, 2001 Mr Shanker Prasad Parajuli Junior Research Fellowship Program, Scientific investigation of some ponds in
RONAST Kathmandu Valley
Jun 26, 2001 Mr Bhagawan Raj Dahal Junior Research Fellowship Program, Baseline information of birds at Tribhuvan
RONAST International Airport

keeping readers abreast with great on reports submitted to various study

advances made in the field of S&T a brief
review of the last century’s major discov-
eries in S&T, with a special reference to
biological sciences, has been included. The
book will be useful to the students,
researchers, decision-makers, journalists
and he general public interested in the
development of S&T in Nepal.
2. Status papers : Status papers based
Recent Publication
groups have been published for circulation.
The papers published are on Statistics
(authors M. L. Singh, G. Shrestha, R. L.
Shrestha), Forestry (author K. M.
Bajracharya), Plant sciences (authors S. B.
Rajbhandary, G. P. S. Ghimire, P.R. Shakya,
K.R. Rajbhandari and D. R. Bhuju), and
Women in Science and Technology (au-
thors G. Shrestha, J. Shrestha, S. D. Joshi,
T. Shrestha and K. D. Yami).

1. Science and Technology in Nepal
by D. Bajracharya
This book provides an overview of
some contemporary issues of S&T in
Nepal. It should serve as a reference guide
to issues, organizations, institutions,
policies and activities related to S&T in the
country and a resource bibliography for
further study. The book brings together, for
the first time, a significant amount of
important information on a wide range of
S&T issues in Nepal. With a view to
RONAST Communicator solicits articles, news items, achivements, research
works and announcements from the science community in Nepal for
publication in the news letter. Please forward all such material to:
RONAST Communicator
Royal Nepal Academy of Science and Technology (RONAST)
GPO Box 3323 Kathmandu, Nepal
Tel: 547717, 547715 Khumaltar, Lalitpur Fax: 977-1-547713
E-mail: ronast@mos.com.np, info@ronast.org.np
Visit us: http://www.ronast.org.np
Edited by : D. Bhuju and Birendra B. Pradhan

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