By TODD GOTTULA
UNK Communications
KEARNEY – Mahabir Pun, an award-winning social entrepreneur and University of Nebraska at Kearney alumnus, has been appointed Nepal’s minister of Education, Science and Technology.
Prime Minister Sushila Karki announced the appointment Monday as she expanded her Cabinet. Pun was one of four new ministers sworn in at the President’s Office in the presence of President Ramchandra Paudel.
Founder of the nonprofit Rashtriya Aviskar Kendra (National Innovation Centre), Pun has spent more than a decade advancing research, technology and innovation to drive Nepal’s economic development.
Soon after taking office, his ministry formed four advisory committees focused on space technology, nuclear technology, biotechnology and information technology/artificial intelligence.
“I will consult experts and work based on their suggestions,” Pun told reporters. “Our focus will be on expanding new research, innovation, technology and promoting entrepreneurship.”
Pun earned the 2007 Ramon Magsaysay Award – often called Asia’s Nobel Prize – and was inducted into the Internet Hall of Fame in 2014 for bringing wireless internet to remote Himalayan villages through the Nepal Wireless Networking Project. Those communities now use the network for e-learning, telehealth, local e-commerce, community forums, money transfers and weather monitoring.
A teacher, activist and innovator, Pun holds a bachelor’s degree in physical science education (1992) and a master’s in education (2001) from UNK, along with a 2007 honorary Doctor of Humane Letters from the University of Nebraska. UNK recognized him again with its International Distinguished Alumnus Award in 2022.