Introduction

The Research Center for Applied Science and Technology (RECAST) was established on September 8, 1977 (Bhadra 23, 2034 B.S.) within the organizational structure of Tribhuvan University (TU) as per the Tribhuvan University Act, 1976. The centre has functioned as a secretariat to the National Council for Science and Technology (NCST), Government of Nepal till June 1998. RECAST has been devoted to research and development (R&D) activities in basic and applied science and technology.

A comprehensive goal of RECAST is to conduct research in the field of science and technology with following objectives:

1. To undertake research in basic and applied sciences;
2. To undertake research for the identification, development, conservation, utilization and dissemination of  local/indigenous knowledge and technology;
3. To search and identify exogenous technologies appropriate to Nepal and explore their technical aspects on technology transfer and adaptation; and
4. To provide a service for government, public, private, scientific, and local communities.

RECAST strives to establish partnership with national and international academic institutions, industries, government as well as private sectors and community-based organizations to address the country’s needs through innovations and sustainable technological developments. RECAST is dedicated to contribute towards nation’s commitment to achieve Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and graduation of the nation to the status of a Developing Country.

Our current endeavour includes establishing research capacity in cutting edge areas and emerging trends and technologies. RECAST is equipped with advanced analytical (spectroscopic, microscopic, scanning calorimetric) and high performance computing facilities. We do provide services for government, public, private sectors as well as to scientific and local communities; and offer consultancy and analytical services on foods, water and sanitation, natural products, construction materials, cosmetics, plastics and rubbers, fuels and equipment designs. The Center also provides laboratory facilities and technical supervision to the undergraduate students of various departments of university to carry out research work for their postgraduate and PhD research work.

RECAST conducts various research projects, organizes national workshops and training programs in its own and international seminars in collaboration with national and international organizations.

Human Resources, Research and Laboratories

We have currently about 32 personnel including 14 full time faculty members, and 18 technical and administrative staff. There are 3 Post- Doctoral Fellows, and several Ph. D. scholars, 4 scientific assistants and belonging to different disciplines of basic and applied sciences. We welcome enthusiastic students and young researchers from academic institutions to collaborate with us and provide mentorship and research facilities.  Our research areas include Appropriate Technologies Designs and Developments, Natural Products, Biotechnology, Biodiversity Conservation, Food and Agriculture, Materials Science and Nanotechnology and have following key laboratories and units:

• Applied Biotechnology Laboratory
• Applied Computational Sciences
• Biodiversity and Nature Conservation
• Documentation Unit
• Food and Agricultural Technology Laboratory
• Glass Technology Unit
• Materials Science Laboratory
• Mechanical Workshop
• Nanotechnology Research Laboratory
• Natural Products Laboratory

Research Activities and Significant Achievements in the Last Five Years

Collaboration

• 'Kailash Sacred Landscape Conservation and Development Initiative (KSLCDI)' and ‘Kangchenjunga Landscape Conservation and Development Initiative (KLCDI)’; collaborative endeavour between International Centre for integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD )Ministry of Forests and Environment (MOFE); 2017, running.

Research activities

• 'Phytochemical and biological investigation of Hypericum cordifolium choisy, a Faculty Research Grant project funded by University Grants Commission (UGC) Nepal, 2020-2022, running.
• 'Phytochemical and Biological Investigation of Some Nepalese Medicinal Plants’, a Faculty Research Grant Project funded by University Grants Commission (UGC) Nepal, 2016-2018, completed
• ‘Investigation of structure, microbiological and cytotoxic properties of some Ayurvedic Bhasmas’, a Faculty Research Grant project funded by University Grants Commission (UGC) Nepal, 2018-2019, completed.
• ‘From waste to biomaterials: preparing hydroxyapatite nano-material from ostrich bone for biomedical application’, a collaborative project funded by University Grants Commission (UGC) Nepal, 2018-2020, completed.
• 'Innovative Technology Development and Materials Characterization' in the frame of Technical Innovation, Scientific Investigation and Research on Nation’s Priority Areas funded by University Grants Commission (UGC) Nepal, 2020-2021, completed.
• Multiple use of water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes) for healthy wetland environment, a Faculty Research Grant project funded by University Grants Commission (UGC) Nepal, 2019-2021, completed.
• Dozens of research projects carried by research scholars from different department of Tribhuvan University and different colleges in the fields of nanotechnology, materials science, natural products chemistry, waste water treatment, biomedical materials, technology transfer and designs and biodiversity conservation are being performed at the centre. 

Publications

Researchers of RECAST have published over a hundred research papers in national and international peer reviewed journals, and organized (conference, interaction, training) programs.

RECAST publishes its peer reviewed journal, the Applied Science and Technology Annals (ASTA), dedicated to interdisciplinary areas related to science, technology and innovation. It also publishes newsletters, books, booklets, and information materials on different thematic areas of science and technology. Recent Book

Flora of Kailash Sacred Landscape Nepal An Annotated Checklist volume 1-

Collaboration

RECAST has established national, regional and international collaboration with:

• Landscape Initiative (Kailash Sacred Landscape Conservation and Development Initiative (KSLCDI) and Kangchenjunga Landscape Conservation and Development Initiative (KLCDI) with International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD) and Ministry of Forest and Environment (MOFE).
• Treeline Research with University of Hamburg and University of Tubingen, Germany.

Research Promotion, Collaboration and Networking

RECAST endeavors on planning, designing and conducting research works in nationally relevant research areas meeting the objectives of the Centre. Some of the recent activities are outlined below:

S. No.	Program	Date	Topic	Remarks
1	Seminar	2/17/2020	The Study of Natural Products and Nutraceuticals	Prof. Dr. Stefano Dall'Acqua and Dr. Stefania Sut (University of Padova)
2.	Annual Day of RECAST	8/9/2020 (Virtual)	Hon'ble Minister. MoEST Mr. GM Pokharel Chief Guest Chief Guest	Chairperson, TU VC, Prof. Dr. Dharma  Kanta Baskota
3	Japan Nepal Minisymposium	Feb. 23, 2020	Experts from Meijo University, Japan, Japanese Universities Alumni Association  (JUAAN), Nepal	Dr. Kamal P. Sharma from Meijo University
4	RECAST Lecture Series	Beginn Aug. 10, 2021	Physical and Materials Science completed in 2021,	Continued with lectures in Applied Sciences
5	Annual Day of RECAST	Sept. 8 – 10, 2021	3rd International E-Conference: Natural Products: Identification, Characterization and Utilization	Virtual conference

 

Prof. Ram Nath Prasad Yadav, PhD 

Executive Director

RECAST,TU

Phone: +977-1-4330348

 Fax: +977-1-4331303

E mail: info@recast.edu.np,

Webpage: www.recast.edu.np