The 26th Academic Council of Nepal Academy of Science and Technology (NAST) was held on November 23, 2007. Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala chaired the meeting, in his capacity as the NAST Chancellor. The meeting approved the name of persons and organizations for different NAST awards for their contributions to the field of science and technology.

Accordingly, Prof. Dr. Dharma Sharna Manandhar of Kathmandu Medical College will be awarded the Science and Technology Academy Award for his distinguished contributions to infant care and the health sector. The award include a cash prize of Rs 1,00,000.

The Science and Technology Promotion Award will be awarded to LI-BIRD, Pokhara for its contribution to the research, development and extension of agricultural biodiversity conservation, utilization, and sustainable management by involving the socially backward local groups in income-generating activities. The award include a cash prize of Rs 20,000.

For his contribution to the enhancement of Solar Cell Energy Conversion Efficiency, Dr. Suresh Kumar Dhungel of Pokhara University will be awarded the Mohan Dhwoj Basnet Technology Award . The award include a cash prize of Rs 25,000.

The Science and Technology Youth Award will be awarded to Dr. Prem Prasad Poudyal of the Department of Soil and Water Conservation for his contribution to Landslide and Soil Erosion Management; to Dr. Diwakar Sharma of the Martyr Gangalal National Heart Center for his contribution to the innovation and development of various techniques of Non-Invasive Cardiology; to Dr. Bijay Jaisi of the Department of Roads for his research on Finite Element Model Updating / Damage Detection to Develop New Technology for Arch Bridge, using Single Objective Framework Objective Function, Frequency, Mode Shape / Model Flexibility; to Dr. Niranjan Parajuli of Kathmandu University for his contribution to the research and development of Hybrid Antibiotics using Genetic Engineering; and to Mr. Bal Krishna Joshi of National Agricultural Research Council for his contribution to the Identification and Production of Nepal Hybrid Rice Restorers ® and Maintainers Lines (b). The award include cash prizes of Rs 30,000 each.

The Academy of Sciences for the Developing World (TWAS) Awards will recognize Dr. Surya Kant Kalauni of Tribhuvan University, Department of Chemistry for his contribution to the Isolation and Characterization of New Antimalarials from Caesalpinia crista L.; to Dr. Chintamani Pokharel of Nepal Engineering College, Department of Mathematics for his contribution to Direction Convexity Preserving (DCP) Property of the Exponential Functions and Development of the Notion of Strongly Directional Convexity Preserving (SDCP) Class; to Dr. Narayan Adhikari of Tribhuvan University, Department of Physics for his contribution to the Field of Polymer Science and Computational Physics; and to Dr. Rosemary Shrestha of Green Energy Mission for her contribution to Plant Sciences by developing Specific Detection Markers for Phytopathogenic Bacteria. The award carries a cash prize of US $ 500 each.

The Assembly also decided to establish a NAST "Dirgha Sewa Padak", to recognize extended service.

Speaking on the occasion, the Prime Minister directed the scientific community to prepare a program that the Government would support for the absolutely necessary enhancement of science and technology for the overall development of Nepal. He also assured NAST that the Government would cover the shortfall for the establishment of the National Research Laboratory on the occasion of the Silver Jubilee.

Also speaking on the same occasion, the Pro Chancellor of NAST and Minister for Environment, Science and Technology, Mr. Mahant Thakur said the Ministry would always be ready to support and coordinate the development of science and technology.

On his welcome note, NAST Vice Chancellor, Professor Dr. Hom Nath Bhattarai stressed that after 25 years of service to the nation, NAST has realized that its role and responsibilities have increased and that NAST will henceforth consolidate and fine tune the development of science and technology to the needs and expectations of the Nepali people. He also revealed that a Science Learning Center would be built on the NAST premise with the cooperation of the Government of India.

NAST Secretary Professor Dr. Dilip Subba presented the Agenda for the Assembly and Academician Professor Dr. Dayanand Bajracharya offered the vote of thanks.