Nepal Technology
NAST?
Nepal Academy of Science and Technology (NAST) is an autonomous apex body established in 1982 to promote science and technology in the country. The Academy is entrusted with four major objectives: advancement of science and technology for all-round development of the nation; preservation and further modernization of indigenous technologies; promotion of research in science and technology; and identification and facilitation of appropriate technology transfer.
Nepal Technology
Nepal joined the world of the Internet during the mid 90´s, using it initially for e-mail only. At that time the cost of e-mail was NRs. 20 (FIM 2) per KB, which was too high by Nepalese standards. Initially there were about 150 e-mail users. Over the years the costs of Internet usage have fallen dramatically to NRs. 2 (FIM 0.20) per KB and consequently the number of e-mail users has sharply increased. There are no official figures available for the present number of users but according to Computer Association Nepal (CAN), there are about 5000 Internet users in Nepal, of whom about 3000 are strictly e-mail users. As postal services have remained unreliable and extremely slow in Nepal, e-mail has become a perfect solution for those with family members living abroad or working in the private sector. Usage of the Internet has been limited mainly to the very rich and elite of the country. Slow connections and high telephone costs keep most people from using the Internet.
Unlike in India and many other Asian countries, the Internet was introduced by the private sector in Nepal. There are four Internet service providers (ISPs) at present who are aiming for 100,000 users by the year 2000. The target growth rate may be very ambitious, given the fact that the development of IT in Nepal has remained in its infancy compared to most of the other Asian countries. Use of computers in the government sector remains rather low in spite of the fact that there are about 20,000 computers in use throughout the kingdom. For the past few years, the use of computers has generally been limited to non-governmental and private sector employees only. For the Nepalese people the computer is not an essential tool but a luxury item which has recently become more of a status symbol.
Basically, there are two major barriers to increased use of computers: the costs of equipment and the costs of connections. Unawareness and uncertainty about how computers and communication can help certainly have an effect, but Nepal is one of the poorest countries in the world with a per capita GNP of about 200 USD. About 90 percent of the people get their living from farming. Foreign currency comes mainly from tourism and carpet exports. Foreign aid covers more than 50 percent of the national budget. According to the Nepal Human Development Report for 1998, about 45 percent of the country´s population of about 22 million live in poverty, and over half of the population is malnourished. Nepal´s literacy rate of 35 percent remains one of the lowest in the world. Only about 0.5 percent of population have access to telephones and only 13 percent of the Nepalese have access to electricity.
Developing countries like Nepal must overcome their isolation from the global economy and become competitive in the production of their goods and services. In developing countries, affordable advanced communication facilities also have great potential to change the entire development paradigm, creating an economy which can in turn be used to provide food, shelter and clothing. Given the right approach from the various relevant sectors, coupled with an IT-friendly policy from the governmental sector, Internet usage will and should grow. However, future growth will be determined to a great extent by the following factors:
NAST?
Nepal Academy of Science and Technology (NAST) is an autonomous apex body established in 1982 to promote science and technology in the country. The Academy is entrusted with four major objectives: advancement of science and technology for all-round development of the nation; preservation and further modernization of indigenous technologies; promotion of research in science and technology; and identification and facilitation of appropriate technology transfer.
Nepal Technology
- Byoma Tamrarkar
Nepal joined the world of the Internet during the mid 90´s, using it initially for e-mail only. At that time the cost of e-mail was NRs. 20 (FIM 2) per KB, which was too high by Nepalese standards. Initially there were about 150 e-mail users. Over the years the costs of Internet usage have fallen dramatically to NRs. 2 (FIM 0.20) per KB and consequently the number of e-mail users has sharply increased. There are no official figures available for the present number of users but according to Computer Association Nepal (CAN), there are about 5000 Internet users in Nepal, of whom about 3000 are strictly e-mail users. As postal services have remained unreliable and extremely slow in Nepal, e-mail has become a perfect solution for those with family members living abroad or working in the private sector. Usage of the Internet has been limited mainly to the very rich and elite of the country. Slow connections and high telephone costs keep most people from using the Internet.
Unlike in India and many other Asian countries, the Internet was introduced by the private sector in Nepal. There are four Internet service providers (ISPs) at present who are aiming for 100,000 users by the year 2000. The target growth rate may be very ambitious, given the fact that the development of IT in Nepal has remained in its infancy compared to most of the other Asian countries. Use of computers in the government sector remains rather low in spite of the fact that there are about 20,000 computers in use throughout the kingdom. For the past few years, the use of computers has generally been limited to non-governmental and private sector employees only. For the Nepalese people the computer is not an essential tool but a luxury item which has recently become more of a status symbol.
Basically, there are two major barriers to increased use of computers: the costs of equipment and the costs of connections. Unawareness and uncertainty about how computers and communication can help certainly have an effect, but Nepal is one of the poorest countries in the world with a per capita GNP of about 200 USD. About 90 percent of the people get their living from farming. Foreign currency comes mainly from tourism and carpet exports. Foreign aid covers more than 50 percent of the national budget. According to the Nepal Human Development Report for 1998, about 45 percent of the country´s population of about 22 million live in poverty, and over half of the population is malnourished. Nepal´s literacy rate of 35 percent remains one of the lowest in the world. Only about 0.5 percent of population have access to telephones and only 13 percent of the Nepalese have access to electricity.
Developing countries like Nepal must overcome their isolation from the global economy and become competitive in the production of their goods and services. In developing countries, affordable advanced communication facilities also have great potential to change the entire development paradigm, creating an economy which can in turn be used to provide food, shelter and clothing. Given the right approach from the various relevant sectors, coupled with an IT-friendly policy from the governmental sector, Internet usage will and should grow. However, future growth will be determined to a great extent by the following factors:
- Development of the national economy
- IT policy of the government
- Infrastructure (electricity and communication network supplies)
- Costs of telephone service, electricity, Internet services and hardware
- Increased literacy