INDIA NEPAL COOPERATION FOR SETTING UP A SCIENCE LEARNING CENTRE (SLC) IN KATHMANDU.

Shri Samir Kumar Ray, Director, Central Research and Training Laboratories, of the prestigious organisation, National Council of Science Museums, Kolkata visited Kathmandu in connection with a forthcoming India-Nepal Cooperation Project on setting up of a Science Learning Centre here.

In his presentation to the Nepalese Government authorities and the Director General of Royal Nepal Academy of Science and Technology (RONAST), Lalitpur Shri Ray elaborated on the success that the NCSM of Kolkata has had over a period of 27 years having continuing to increase the awareness of science amongst the school children and general public in India through interactive exhibits and educational activities. As a result of these efforts of the Council, 28 elite museums have been set up over the country and abroad, the latest one being in Mauritius which was commissioned last year.

Discussions between NCSM and RONAST focussed on the proposed Science Learning Centre in Kathmandu, including details on thematic galleries, fun science, exhibitions, science parks, planetarium (taramandal), educational & training programmes, activity laboratories, mobile science exhibitions that will be the important components.

NCSM would prepare the detailed project report. In the bilateral discussions, emphasis was on an early time schedule for implementation and the need for high quality maintenance and trained personnel for sustained viability of this important project.