The Department of Science and Technology in Lesotho is mandated to develop policies and programmes that advance science, technology, and innovation in the country. The department also plays a coordinating role for the sector. The Lesotho National System of Innovation is currently still a bit fragmented and needs to be reworked and structured in such a way that it can effectively bring about the development of science, technology, and innovation. The department has thus facilitated the setting up of the Lesotho Academy of Science and Technology (LAST) to assist in the building up and strengthening the national system of innovation. The department appreciates that the academy is meant to be an independent organization that is to advice government on policy issues and will in due cause fully withdraw as the academy runs its affairs.
The academy of science in the country starts its existence after the launch by the Right Honorable, the Prime Minister in March 2021, with many issues to look at, including providing advice for the country’s approach in resolving the Covid-19 pandemic, climate change challenges and sustainable utilization of natural resources.
The academy brings together both the renown Lesotho scientists in the diaspora and those still in the country. The country has one main university and two campuses of foreign universities, a technical college, a teacher’s training college, and a health training college. There are also several nurse training colleges and several technical and vocational training colleges. The academy as a place of scientific excellence draws its membership mainly from the universities based on merit.
Lesotho has been supported by the Network of African Science Academies (NASAC) along with the South African Academy of Sciences and the financial support from the UN Technology Bank for Least Developed Countries to launch its academy. The Department of Science and Technology is appreciative of this support and will not let the good work go to waste. The department has seconded an official to work on setting up the secretarial of the academy and shall continue supporting the activities of the academy until such a time that it can run on its own.