Technology and IT Policy of Nepal

Source : IT Policy of Nepal, 2000, Kathmandu, MOST.

Policies are guidelines for decision making to achieve goals. Technology is a critical factor for development. Technology policy of the government greatly affects the technological development of the country. Nepal’s science and technology policy was included in the Ninth Plan (1997-2002). The salient features of this policy are :

1. A conducive environment will be created for imparting standard science and technology education at school and higher education levels. The promotion of technical education will be gradually increased.

2. Improvements in endogenous and traditional technology will be made and special consideration will be given to commercialize it.

3. Advanced technologies will be imported. The selection process for imports will give priority to export promoting and under employment reducing technologies.

4. Production and productivity will be increased by the compulsory adoption of advanced technology in economic and social sectors.

5. Science and Technology Committee and Research and Development (R & D) unit will be formed in all government and semi-government agencies.

6. Private sector will be encouraged to invest a certain percentage of their profits to research. Science and technology sectors will be initiated in districts, municipalities and village development Committees.

7. A national science and technology management system will be developed to ensure efficiency and effectiveness of investment.

8. A separate science and technology service will be developed within the civil service. Incentives will he provided to scientists and technologists involved in R & D. Lateral entry will be allowed.

9. Research findings of science and technology will be disseminated.

10. A twenty year science and technology perspective plan will be prepared.

11. Necessary institutional framework and system will be developed for science and technology.

12. Brain drain of science and technology personnel will be controlled. 13. Technology parks will be established.

Information Technology (IT) Policy of Nepal Nepal has formulated Information Technology Policy 2000. Its salient features are

1. Declare information technology as a priority sector.

2. Follow a single door system for the development of iT.

3. Prioritize research in IT.

4. Create conducive environment to attract private sector investment in IT,

5. Provide internet facilities to all village development committees.

6. Render assistance to educational institutions and encourage training to develop qualified manpower in IT.

7. Computerize government records and build websites for flow of information.

8. Increase the use of computer in private sector.

9. Develop physical and virtual information technology park for development of TT.

10. Use IT to promote e-commerce, e-education, e-health and transfer of technology to rural areas.

11. Establish National Information Technology Center.

12. Establish a national level fund to contribute to R & D in IT.

13. Establish venture capital fund for 1T.

14. Include computer education from the school level.

15. Establish Nepal in global market through the use of IT.

16. Provide legal sanctions to the use of IT.

17. Gradually use IT in all types of government activities.

The vision of Nepal’s Information Technology Policy is to place Nepal on the global map of information technology by 2005. The objectives of IT policy are

a) Make IT accessible to general public; increase employment through IT.

b) Build knowledge -based society

c) Establish knowledge-based industries

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