Global Astronomy Survey : Nepal

First submission: Jayanta Acharya [see human resources section] 25 April 2009
SPoC Approved: Yes

1. Professional (Research) Astronomy:

1. Number of universities offering Astronomy (and their names)

" Zero " There is no any university offering  Astronomy

2. Number of universities offering Physics (and their names)

there is only one university offering Physics that is Tribhuvan University.

3. Number of academics who have been trained in Astronomy (ideally with their names and levels of qualification) 

The number of Academics who have been trained in Astronomy include the underlisted, I

may have missed some out
1. Prof. Dr Samba raj Acharya  PhD in Astronomy
2. keshavram joshi  PhD in Astronomy (recently passed )
3. prof. U. khanal . (PhD in Astrophysics)
4 Jayanta Acharya (Master in Mathematics and Astronomy)
5. shambhu dhakal  ( Master in Ancient Astronomy)
6. Shreekrishna adhikari  (Master in Ancient Astronomy)
7. Rishi shah ( Engineer in Energy)

4. Number of astronomical facilities (observatories, telescopes, etc) and as much detail about each as possible (websites/contact details)

there is only observation facilities for public at Balmikee campus.

5. Self evaluation (according to the different phases above, how would you rate your country in terms of Professional Astronomy? Please include any other relevant information to motivate your choice.)

I think Nepal could be classified as a "Phase 3" country. I think we have nothing  But we will need help in setting up observational facilities.

2. Public Understanding of Astronomy:

1. What governmental astronomy/science outreach programmes for the public take place (co-ordinated either by government departments or national facilities)

Balmikee Campus run popularization programmes. We have some other astronomical society in Nepal.

2. What non-governmental astronomy/science outreach programmes for the public take place (NGO activities or international programmes that your country is involved in) 

NONE

3. Comment on the presence of astronomy in the media (TV, radio, newspapers). Is it very prominent? Are there specific programmes on astronomy? Is the media generally willing to publish news on astronomy?

A national daily has a weekly column dedicated to astronomy. The Media is generally very willing to run stories related to astronomy whenever they are informed, especially with interesting discoveries or big events.

4. Comment on the presence of astronomy/science in the general culture of the people. Are there any specific challenges or setbacks? Is astronomy a welcome subject of conversation?

Astronomy is mostly discussed among the astronomy community

5. Self evaluation (according to the different phases above, how would you rate your country in terms of Public Understanding of Astronomy? Please include any other relevant information to motivate your choice.)

Nepal can be considered a "Phase 2" country in terms of public engagement in science. National astronomical societies are publishing many astronomical stories in differents news papers.

3. Astronomy in Schools:

1. What governmental astronomy/science education and outreach programmes for schools take place (co-ordinated either by government departments or national facilities)

NONE

2. What non-governmental astronomy/science education and outreach programmes for schools take place (NGO activities or international programmes that your country is involved in)

astronepal is organizing many such activities in schools.

3. Comment on the presence of astronomy in the school curriculum. Is it part of the school curriculum? Is it very prominent? What age groups?

In Nepal there is only 15-20 % of the total course is included  Astronomy in  Science at School level  it is also not compulsory so most of the students do not take Astronomy even if they have interest in the field, lacking is good teacher, most of the school do not get good teacher for the subject.

4. Comment on the status of astronomy/science in schools. Are there any specific challenges or setbacks? Sufficient number of students studying maths and science? General interest in maths/science/astronomy in schools?

We have introduced the following elements of Astronomy in the school Curriculum;

* Introduction to Space Science

* Introduction to Astronomy

* Introduction to Solid Earth Geophysics (ten percent of the total science education )

5. Self evaluation (according to the different phases above, how would you rate your country in terms of Astronomy in Schools? Please include any other relevant information to motivate your choice.)

With Astronomy well established in the  School Curriculum, I think we can classify

Nepal as a “Phase 1” country

Any other general comments or information that you feel would be useful for this survey?

We need to train more people.