(Frequently Asked Questions)
1) What is Biotechnology?
Biotechnology is the use of living systems and organisms to develop or make products, or “any technological application that uses biological systems, living organisms, or derivatives thereof, to make or modify products or processes for specific use” (UN Convention on Biological Diversity, Art. 2)
2) What is the progress of Biotechnology in Nepal?
Biotechnology is a relatively new topic in Nepal which was first introduced as a Bachelor’s level program at Kathmandu University in 2003 and as a Master’s level program at Tribhuvan University in 2007. With regards to governmental organizations, the National Academy of Science and Technology (NAST) has a Department of Biotechnology which focuses on research in different fields to make life easier for Nepali citizens. As for private organizations, there are dozens of them exploring emerging fields ranging from biomedical sciences to plant tissue culture.
3) What does BSN do?
The main objective of BSN is to promote Biotechnology in Nepal. We aim to do this in the following ways:
– By encouraging basic and applied research and disseminating the results in the form of journals and seminars.
– By bringing collaborations and co-operation between academic, scientific, and industrial organizations both within and outside the country for sustainable development.
– By developing a platform for biotechnology students, academics, professionals, and teachers in the form of conferences, seminars, and talk programs to communicate and work together for the development of Biotechnology in Nepal.
– General dissemination of information to the public in order to raise awareness about the importance of Biotechnology for the rapid and overall development of the nation.
4) How do I become a member?
BSN invites everyone (Nepalese Citizens, Non-Resident Nepalese, and Foreign Nationals) who are interested in biotechnology and its related disciplines and want to join the Society to help in the overall development of this field.
Membership Categories:
BSN Lifetime Member:
This category gives lifetime membership to the applicant. Lifetime members, after significant work and contribution, are eligible to stand as a candidate for any post of the executive board during elections held annually. Lifetime members are NOT executive members but the vice-versa is true. BSN lifetime members enjoy all the resources possessed by BSN.
Membership Fee: NRs. 3000 (For Nepalese Nationals); USD 250 (For Non-Residential Nepalese & Foreign Nationals)
BSN Annual Member:
BSN Annual Members are general members and can participate in all the programs organized by BSN (condition applied). This membership is valid for a period of 1 year and needs to be renewed annually. An annual member receives all the updates about BSN activities and enjoys discounts or free ships in BSN programs. Annual members can upgrade themselves to lifetime members with a discounted fee after significant contribution to Society.
Membership Fee: NRs. 300 (For Nepalese Nationals); USD 30 (For Non-Residential Nepalese & Foreign Nationals)
Renewal Fee: NRs. 100 (For Nepalese Nationals); USD 10 (For Non-Residential Nepalese & Foreign Nationals)
You can download the membership form at the following link.
You can deposit the membership fee in the following account:
Bank: Nepal Investment Bank
Account Name: Biotechnology Society of Nepal (BSN)
Acc. No: 00201030252584
Swift Code: NIBLNPKT
Send it to info@bsn.org.np with a voucher of the bank draft.