Prime Minister Sushil Koirala urged academicians and the scientific community at Nepal Academy of Science and Technology to work towards incorporating technologies to deal with various disasters including earthquakes in the future.

Addressing the 36th Academic Assembly held on Monday, Prime Minister Koirala said the country witnessed a huge loss of lives and properties during the April 25 earthquake and with the help of technologies including early warning systems, losses could be mininised in future.

Soon after the earthquake that killed at least 8,857 people and caused huge damage of housing structures and properties, Nast in technical support from various international agencies has installed earthquake early warning sensors in 10 different locations in Dhading, Kavre and Kathmandu districts. The Academy has planned to expand the installation of sensors in other places in the next few months.

PM Koirala, also the chancellor of Nast, mentioned that instability and political transition compounded with inadequate investment has hindered the science and technology sector in the country. “The government is committed to work towards integrating newer technologies as well as modifying the existing technologies to benefit the country and its people,” he added during the meeting of scientific experts and technicians attending the Academic Assembly.

The Academic Assembly is held every two years and is the highest body to formulate rules, regulations and policies for Nast.

During the same programme, Jiba Raj Pokharel, vice-chancellor of Nast, shared about the ongoing activities on scientific research and technological advancement carried out by Nast, including efforts to work towards disaster management.

Besides the establishment of earthquake early warning sensors with the help of China, Nast has been installing sophisticated Global Positioning Systems to identify earthquake prone areas and recommend appropriate mitigation and preparedness measures. “Research and development are our key priority areas to work. We want government to provide adequate investment and attention to promote science and technology sector,” he added.

For the fiscal year 2015-2016, Nast has approved an estimated budget of around Rs 319 million, including Rs 220 million from the government while the remaining comes from foreign donors and development partners.