The National Innovation Center (Nepali: राष्ट्रिय आविष्कार केन्द्र्, Rashtriya Abiskar Kendra) is a nonprofit organisation established on 9 November 2012 by Mahabir Pun. Tribhuwan University provided land for the purpose of establishing the center in 2019 and the infrastructre was constructed at a cost of NPR 8 crore.[1][2]
राष्ट्रिय आविष्कार केन्द्र् (Rashtriya Abiskar Kendra) | |
| Formation | November 9, 2012 |
|---|---|
| Purpose | Science and Technology |
| Headquarters | Tribhuwan University, Kritipur |
Key people | Mahabir Pun |
| Website | nicnepal |
Funding edit
Pun tried to secure fund for the Center till July 2016,[3][4][5] but seeing no progress, he started crowd funding campaign which was a success. He was able to collect NPR 100 millions.[1] Other plans to fund the Center according to Pun is to build a 10MW hydropower station.[6][7] Mahabir also donated his own land to establish the National Innovation Center.[8]
Objectives edit
- Primary objective to establish the Innovation center according to Mahabir is to foster research and developments for the economic development of the country.
Founding Members edit
The founding members of the organization are:[9]
- Dr. Mahabir Pun (Social Entrepreneur and Internet Hall of Fame inductee)
- Mr. Rameshore Khanal (Economist and Former Secretary, Ministry of Finance)
- Dr. Dambar Nepali (Hydro Power expert)
- Dr. Pramod Dhakal (former scientist in Canada now with Open University Nepal)
- Dr. Dinesh Bhuju (Scientist, National Academy of Science and Technology)
- Hari Kumar Silwal
Notable Projects edit
The center sponsors any projects with possibility to serve the community.[10] Accorindg to Pun, academic qualification is not necessary to start projects at the center.[1] The center is working in about 20 projects.[11]
Medical Drones edit
In collaboration with UNICEF, prototype drones capable of delivering medicines are under study. The design, fabrication and testing are done in Nepal locally.[12] These drones have become successful to carry 1 kg for about 2 km as of 2018.[13][14]
Sel Roti Machine edit
It is a project to make a machine for mass-production of traditional Nepali cuisine, Sel roti. The project was started by Abhisek Nakarmi and Krishna Deole.[10]
Monkey Repellent System edit
This project aims to make a device powered by solar energy that can sense and repels wild animals. It is inspired by the village where monkey destroyed crops every year. The device produces different types of sound to repel the animals.[10]
Online Bus Ticketing Platform edit
This project aims to provide an online bus ticketing platform that provides ticket booking facilities, a website, and an Android application. This project was started by Rajesh Das and after the completion of the project, he started a company called Okay Journey.[15]
COVID19 response (contribution) edit
The centre actively participated in COVID-19 assistance.
- It distributed PPE freely to ambulance drivers and health workers.[16]
- It developed and distributed swab collection booth freely to Bir Hospital, Teaching Hospital, Birendra Hospital, APF Hospital, Bhaktapur hospital, Teku Hospital and some hospitals in Butwal, Itahari, Surkhet, Baglung and Birgunj.[16]
- It freely repaired ventilators of various hospitals.[16]
Industrial Collaboration edit
The centre has collaborated with various commercial organizations.
- It has worked with Chicken and fish farms in Chitwan District[17]
- It is working in the field of tourism and agriculture in Biratnagar and Pokhara[17]
References edit
- ^ a b c Subedi, Kamal. "Mahabir Pun's dream of donation-based national innovation center finally comes true". My Republica. Retrieved 2020-08-09.
- ^ "महावीर पुनकाे नेतृत्वमा ८ करोडकाे लगानीमा 'राष्ट्रिय आविष्कार केन्द्र' स्थापना". Ujyaalo Online. Retrieved 2020-08-09.
- ^ "National Innovation Center, Innovating New Nepal". My Republica. 2016-08-10. Retrieved 2016-09-06.
- ^ "Tired of seeking funds, Pun offers own land to run innovation hub". Retrieved 2020-08-09.
- ^ "राष्ट्रिय आविष्कार केन्द्र सञ्चालन गरिछाड्छु: महावीर पुन". HimalKhabar. Retrieved 2020-08-09.
- ^ "NIC Nepal Concept Paper". National Innovation Center. 2016-08-31. Retrieved 2016-09-06.
- ^ "National Innovation Center to collect money from crowd-funding". National Innovation Center. 2016-08-31. Retrieved 2016-09-06.
- ^ "Dr Mahabir Pun Donates 28 Ropanies of Land to National Innovation Center". Online Khabar. 2016-07-31. Retrieved 2016-09-06.
- ^ Konecny, Ron. "National Innovation Center Nepal – Concept Note from Dr. Mahabir Pun – Himanchal Education Foundation". Retrieved 2020-08-09.
- ^ a b c "महावीर पुनको 'आविष्कार केन्द्र'". Online Khabar. Retrieved 2020-08-09.
- ^ "National Innovation Centre inaugurated". The Himalayan Times. 2019-10-19. Retrieved 2020-08-09.
- ^ "Prokura Innovations: Locally produced low-cost drones for medical delivery in Nepal". Retrieved 2020-08-09.
- ^ "Nepal's medical drones bring health care to the Himalayas". The Japan Times. 2018-05-03. Retrieved 2020-08-09.
- ^ Vries, Lucia de. "Drones to the rescue". Retrieved 2020-08-09.
- ^ https://nicnepal.org/project/software-and-it/ok-journey
- ^ a b c "आपत्मा सघाउँदै आविष्कार केन्द्र". Retrieved 2020-08-09.
- ^ a b "काठमाडौंमा 'राष्ट्रिय आविष्कार केन्द्र' स्थापना". Naya Patrika. Retrieved 2020-08-09.