By A Staff Reporter
Kathmandu, Nov. 20: Participation of Nepali scientists who have been living overseas, in the “Brain Pooling Nepal Programme” of Nepal Academy of Science and Technology (NAST) is encouraging, said the NAST officials.
The NAST has introduced the Brain Pooling Nepal Programme to bring the Nepali talents back to the country from overseas. It had called for research concept papers for this programme by issuing the first notice on August 21 and the second on September 22.
The selection process of the total participants will begin within a month, said Sunil Babu Shrestha, vice-chancellor of the NAST.
“I do not know the exact number of the concept papers submitted to the NAST,” Shrestha said when asked the number of applications received under the programme.
The NAST has called the research concept papers for the current fiscal year in the sectors of energy, Nano-technology, smart city, information technology and prior information of earthquake.
Research grant will be provided to the scientist who want to stay in the nation after returning from overseas, he said.
Vice-chancellor Shrestha said that the programme was introduced to break the trend of Nepali youths not returning to the country even after completing their higher education overseas.
“It will benefit both the country and the youths, who are not interested to return to the country in lack of getting opportunities here,” he added.
The programme will encourage the talented manpower to contribute in different sectors of science and technology.
The participating scientists will be divided into two categories. In the first category, the NAST will hire some of them as its employees and they will be provided employment for three months to one year, he said.
In the second category, the NAST is going to invite prominent Nepali scientists engaging in different science technology professions abroad under NAST Eminent Fellow Programme.