Nepali scientists 'abandoning' national science academy
Over 150 scientists and engineers have quit the Nepal Academy of
Science and Technology (NAST) to either go abroad or join the private
sector during the past decade, according to a NAST official.
Deepak Raj Poudel, chief of NAST's promotion division, says some
scientists either resign from NAST or simply do not return after
training abroad. There is also a rising trend of young researchers
taking leave to work on projects outside of NAST.
A former NAST scientist says most scientists leave because the work
environment is not conducive to pursuing research — Nepal's small annual
science budget of 50.4 million Nepalese rupees (US$784,000) barely
covers administration costs.