Lalitpur: The Chairman of the National Assembly (NA), Narayan Prasad Dahal, emphasized the need for state initiatives to foster entrepreneurship grounded in science and technology. Addressing a youth scientist conference organized by the National Youth Council in Lalitpur, Dahal highlighted the necessity for a clear state policy, adequate investment, cooperation systems, and infrastructure development to promote entrepreneurship derived from scientific research and technology.
According to National News Agency Nepal, Dahal pointed out that Nepal struggles to achieve significant success globally in scientific research and innovation due to inadequate research structures, insufficient government investment, and the absence of systems to transform innovations into viable businesses. He urged the state to address these challenges seriously.
Dahal also stressed the importance of leveraging the creative plans, skills, and capabilities of the youth for nation-building. He called for the establishment of a clear legal framework to support research grants, innovation funds, the strengthening of technical education, and the protection of intellectual property rights.
The National Assembly Chair expressed his commitment to making science and technology-related legislation more youth-friendly. He expressed confidence that several bills, including the Information Technology and Cyber Security Bill, the Social Media Bill, the National Forensic Science Laboratory Bill, and the Media Council Bill, currently under discussion in the federal parliament, would be passed soon.
The conference, organized in collaboration with the National Youth Council, Nepal Academy of Science and Technology (NAST), Robotics Association of Nepal, and other organizations, saw participation from young scientists, researchers, and youth innovators in technology. The Executive Vice President of the National Youth Council, Surendra Basnet, mentioned that the conference includes an exhibition of innovative technologies and a program for exchanging ideas on various scientific topics by experts.