Science & Technology Science & Technology PolicyPolicy

of Lao PDRof Lao PDR

Sengchanh PHASAYASENGSengchanh PHASAYASENGDepartment of Science & Technology, NASTDepartment of Science & Technology, NASTsengchane@Yahoo.comsengchane@Yahoo.com

Cambodiana Hotel, 18-20 Nov 2008Cambodiana Hotel, 18-20 Nov 2008

1.1. Country BackgroundCountry Background

2. 2. Direction, Promotion &Direction, Promotion & Major Major Policy Policy for the implementation of for the implementation of S&T S&T developmentdevelopment

3.3. Action Programs for the next 5 Action Programs for the next 5 yearsyears

4. Measures for the Implementation 4. Measures for the Implementation

of S&T Policyof S&T Policy

1. Country Background1. Country Background Geography: Geography:

• Landlocked Country Landlocked Country • of 236,800 Km2. of 236,800 Km2.

Population :Population :• 5.9 million (2006)5.9 million (2006)

39 % still lives in poverty.39 % still lives in poverty. Economy: The mainly baseEconomy: The mainly base

• Agriculture: 50.9% .Agriculture: 50.9% .• Industry:23.4% Industry:23.4% • Services 25.7 % .Services 25.7 % .• Annual per capital income Annual per capital income • US$490 ( 2007) .US$490 ( 2007) .• GDP increase 6-7% . GDP increase 6-7% .

Politic: Stable regime. Politic: Stable regime. ( (

1.1. LAO S&T Institutions’ background1.1. LAO S&T Institutions’ background

1967 establishment of Geology and Mining 1967 establishment of Geology and Mining DepartmentDepartment

( Ministry of Energy & Mining ).( Ministry of Energy & Mining ). 1982 establishment of State Committee of Science and 1982 establishment of State Committee of Science and

Technology ( Now is NAST )Technology ( Now is NAST ) 1999 establishment of Agricultural and Forestry 1999 establishment of Agricultural and Forestry

Research Institutes with 10 Research Centers:Research Institutes with 10 Research Centers: 1983 establishment of National Arts and Literature 1983 establishment of National Arts and Literature

Research Institute(1993 Culture Research Institute )Research Institute(1993 Culture Research Institute ) 1995 establishment of National University of Laos with 1995 establishment of National University of Laos with

11 Faculties. 11 Faculties. 2000 establishment of Health Science Institute with 7 2000 establishment of Health Science Institute with 7

Research centers:Research centers:

1.2. The National Authority for Science 1.2. The National Authority for Science and Technology (NAST)and Technology (NAST)

Undertaken numerous experimental and Undertaken numerous experimental and application researches to adapt technology with application researches to adapt technology with the Lao context and culture.the Lao context and culture.

Concentrated its efforts in undertaking on the Concentrated its efforts in undertaking on the job training that contributing to the up job training that contributing to the up gradation of our Scientifics, Engineers & gradation of our Scientifics, Engineers & Technologists ( SETs )Technologists ( SETs )

Formulated and drafted some necessary S&T Formulated and drafted some necessary S&T Policies, plans, Programs , Projects and Policies, plans, Programs , Projects and activities, Regulations, Decrees, Laws. activities, Regulations, Decrees, Laws.

1.3. Constraints1.3. Constraints

We may say that S&T R&D in Lao PDR is still in the We may say that S&T R&D in Lao PDR is still in the initial stage.initial stage.

S&T R&D has been undertaken with very limited S&T R&D has been undertaken with very limited Resources, harmonization and management Resources, harmonization and management mechanism is not yet in place .mechanism is not yet in place .

Lack of 4 M.( Manpower, Money, Material Lack of 4 M.( Manpower, Money, Material &Management )&Management )

Education system still in the infant stage, only one Education system still in the infant stage, only one University, Private education well being developed.University, Private education well being developed.

The coordination and cooperation between University The coordination and cooperation between University and Industry are just promoting and encouraging.and Industry are just promoting and encouraging.

2. Direction , Promotion and2. Direction , Promotion and Major Policy forMajor Policy for the implementation of S&T development the implementation of S&T development

2.1.2.1. H.R.DH.R.D Define the HRD plan in medium and long term at all level.Define the HRD plan in medium and long term at all level. Develop the S&T curriculum of the NUOL to provide Develop the S&T curriculum of the NUOL to provide

Masters and PhD in S&T.Masters and PhD in S&T. Develop the capability of appropriate Research centers to Develop the capability of appropriate Research centers to

conduct training courses in priority sectors.conduct training courses in priority sectors. Apply effectively the S&T HRD to fit the knowledge, Apply effectively the S&T HRD to fit the knowledge,

competence and skills, use reward system for the talented competence and skills, use reward system for the talented and creative SETs .and creative SETs .

Strengthen the creation of awareness in S&T and Strengthen the creation of awareness in S&T and impregnate into live style.impregnate into live style.

2.2.2.2. Management & Coordination of S&T Management & Coordination of S&T The National S&T council should be established and The National S&T council should be established and

define the direction in S&T policy for the development.define the direction in S&T policy for the development. The NAST should undertake the supporting and The NAST should undertake the supporting and

coordinating function to promote S&T activities in the coordinating function to promote S&T activities in the various implementing and help translating policy into various implementing and help translating policy into action. action.

Establish a National S&T Research Institute.Establish a National S&T Research Institute. Establish a Committee of S&T in different Ministries Establish a Committee of S&T in different Ministries

and Provinces to act as Advisory Board Committee to and Provinces to act as Advisory Board Committee to the Ministry. the Ministry.

Develop the appropriate and collaborative research Develop the appropriate and collaborative research center in close collaboration with the NUOL for center in close collaboration with the NUOL for improving the capability of S&T research aiming to improving the capability of S&T research aiming to promote the production and industrial development.promote the production and industrial development.

2.3.2.3. S&T InvestmentS&T Investment

Use effectively the funds allocated by the Use effectively the funds allocated by the Government ( Government ( 4-5% of GDP/year for S&T 4-5% of GDP/year for S&T R&D)R&D)

Mobilize the funds from private sectorsMobilize the funds from private sectors Attract the international assistance & Attract the international assistance &

Coop.Coop. Create S&T Foundation .Create S&T Foundation .

3. Action Programs for the next 5 years3. Action Programs for the next 5 years

1.1. Infrastructure AP.Infrastructure AP.

2.2. S&T Management AP.S&T Management AP.

3.3. S&T HRD AP.S&T HRD AP.

4.4. CCreation of National S&T Research reation of National S&T Research Institute AP.Institute AP.

5.5. Collaborative APCollaborative AP

6.6. Some possible APSome possible AP

4. Measures for the Implementation 4. Measures for the Implementation of S&T Policy of S&T Policy

1.1. Operate (4 - 5% ) Budget allocated by the Operate (4 - 5% ) Budget allocated by the GOL that should be shared with other GOL that should be shared with other Sectors involved in the Development of S&T.Sectors involved in the Development of S&T.

2.2. The National S&T Policy shall be The National S&T Policy shall be promulgated throughout the country for good promulgated throughout the country for good understanding for plans, programs and understanding for plans, programs and projects formulation.projects formulation.

3.3. This Policy shall be implemented effectively This Policy shall be implemented effectively by State and Public Organizations. by State and Public Organizations.

KhobchaiKhobchai

Thank youThank you