Tk 12.20b for Science and Technology

With the government's focus on building a science-savvy nation, finance minister AMA Muhith on Thursday set aside Tk 12.20 billion for the science and technology ministry in the proposed budget for fiscal 2018-19.

He proposed the allocation while presenting the national budget in parliament.

The sector gets Tk 11.63 billion more than that of the proposed budget for the outgoing fiscal 2017-18, reports UNB.

"We've widened the coverage of the ongoing science quiz contest and extended it from district to upazila level aiming to kindle student's interest in science education," the minister said in his speech.

Muhith said they have begun opening branches of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Novo Theatre in Khulna, Barishal, Rangpur, Sylhet, Mymensingh and Chattogram divisions.

"In addition, the area coverage of Science Olympiad has been expanded to division, district and upazila levels and alongside organising subject-based science Olympiad," he added.

The minister said they are providing assistance to the private institutions concerned to organise such programmes. "We're transforming Bangladesh Council for Science and Industrial Research (BCSIR) into as a centre of excellence as well as a centre for technology transfer and innovation."

Besides, he said, steps have been taken to strengthen the infrastructure of Bangladesh Atomic Energy Commission to ensure nuclear security together with safety arrangements from radiation.