The Ministry of Education, Science and Technology announced Thursday that it will continue its support for science and technology education in developing countries.

The ministry will carry out nine support projects in eight countries, including Nepal, Sri Lanka, Mongolia, Tanzania, Laos and Peru starting this year. The ministry also noted that it would provide a maximum of 100 million won ($86,000) for each project.

A new laboratory for developing solar energy will be set up in Nepal and joint-research for developing natural resources will be carried out in Mongolia as a part of its assistance program, according to the ministry.

The assistant program is a part of the Seoul government’s efforts to enhance its official development assistance.

The ministry has been promoting the development of science and technology education in developing countries since 2006 through knowledge-sharing programs and coordination with local universities and research organizations.

In 2011, 15 projects were carried out in ten countries, and so far more than 190 experts have been sent to 15 countries, including Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia for the project, the ministry said.

By Oh Kyu-wook (596story@heraldcorp.com)