Mahabir Pun, Chairman of the National Innovation Center, has been appointed as Nepal's new Minister of Education, Science and Technology by Prime Minister (PM) Sushila Karki. President Ramchandra Paudel administered the oath of office and secrecy to the newly appointed minister amid a special ceremony at the Sheetal Niwas on September 22, 2025.
PM Karki announced his appointment, while recommending the names of five new ministers on September 21, 2025. Following the announcement, Pun took to his official Facebook page to share a message., "My first announcement - Please do not call to say 'congratulations,' and do not bring garlands when you come to congratulate me. Instead, if you have concrete work or ideas that can be done in the field of education, science, and technology within five months, please send them to my WhatsApp. Please do not call me 'minister.' If someone really wants to call me a minister, then please say Kawadi Scientist Minister, ".
One of Nepal’s renowned researchers, scientists, educators, and social activists, Pun pursued a Bachelor's in Science Education and a Master's in Educational Administration from the University of Nebraska at Kearney, USA. Upon completing his degree in the USA, he returned to his native Nangi Village, determined to bring change through technology. He envisioned connecting remote communities to the outside world via wireless technology. With his background in teaching, he recognized the immense potential in e-learning and telemedicine, dedicating himself to introducing these innovations to Myagdi and beyond.
Pun, who is also a board member of Nepal Research and Education Network, successfully established the Nepal Wireless Networking Project in Nangi in 2001. His initiative aimed to bring wireless internet to rural areas by connecting remote villages using long-range wireless technology. This initiative garnered international recognition, and he was honored with the prestigious Ramon Magsaysay Award in 2007, often referred to as Asia’s equivalent of the Nobel Prize, for his contributions to applying technology to community development.
Born on January 23, 1955, in Nangi, Myagdi, Pun has earned widespread recognition and awards for his efforts. In 2002, the Ashoka Foundation named him an Ashoka Fellow, honoring his role as a social entrepreneur. In 2004, he received the Samagra Social Invention Award from the Global Ideas Bank. He has also been awarded an Honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters from the University of Nebraska, alongside many other national and international honors.
Pun has long been active in the development of science and research in Nepal. In 2012, Pun established the nonprofit “Rashtriya Abishkar Kendra,” also known as the National Innovation Centre, which is dedicated to promoting research and development for the nation’s economic growth.
Prior to Pun's appointment, Raghuji Pant was serving as Minister for Education, Science, and Technology from April 23, 2025, until a cabinet reshuffle following Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli's resignation on September 9, 2025, amid the Gen Z protests.
