Born in Nangi, Myagdi District
Mahabir Pun
महावीर पुन
Founder of the Nepal Wireless Networking Project, which brought wireless internet to remote Himalayan villages; Ramon Magsaysay Award winner and current Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation
Currently Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, Government of Nepal
About
Mahabir Pun returned to his native village of Nangi after studying in the United States. At the time, the government had banned imports of wireless equipment, during the height of the Maoist insurgency. Despite this, he founded the Nepal Wireless Networking Project in 2002.
By 2006, the project had connected 13 mountain villages to Wi-Fi and the internet. It eventually expanded to over 175 villages across 15 districts. This made telemedicine and e-learning possible in some of the Himalayas’ most remote communities.
His work earned him the Ramon Magsaysay Award in 2007. In 2014, he was inducted into the Internet Hall of Fame. He later founded the National Innovation Center. He served as Education Minister in the interim government formed after the 2025 Gen Z protests. In the 2026 general election, he became the only independent candidate to win a parliamentary seat. He went on to serve as Nepal’s Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation.
Quick facts
- Born
- 1955-01-22
- Birthplace
- Nangi, Myagdi District, Kingdom of Nepal
- Profession
- Scientist, Teacher, Social entrepreneur, Politician, Activist
- Current role
- Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, Government of Nepal
- Nationality
- Nepal
- Status
- Alive
Current roles
Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation
Government of Nepal · since 2026-06-09
Member of Parliament
House of Representatives, Federal Parliament of Nepal · since 2026-03-26
Previous roles
Minister of Education, Science and Technology
Government of Nepal · 2025-09-22–2026-01-20
Founder
Nepal Wireless Networking Project · 2002
Founder
National Innovation Center · 2012
Education
University of Nebraska at Kearney
BSc, Science Education (1992)
University of Nebraska–Lincoln
MA, Educational Administration (2001)
Career & life timeline
- 1955-01-22
- 1989
Earned a scholarship to study at the University of Nebraska at Kearney
- 2002
Founded the Nepal Wireless Networking Project in his native village of Nangi
- 2006
Connected 13 mountain villages to Wi-Fi and the internet
- 2007
Received the Ramon Magsaysay Award
- 2012
Founded the National Innovation Center to promote grassroots research and innovation
- 2014
Inducted into the Internet Hall of Fame
- 2025-09-22
Appointed Minister of Education, Science and Technology in Sushila Karki's interim government
- 2026-03-26
Won election to parliament from Myagdi-1 as the only independent candidate elected in 2026
- 2026-06-09
Appointed Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation
Achievements
Ramon Magsaysay Award
2007For community leadership and innovative application of wireless technology in Nepal
Internet Hall of Fame inductee
2014Only independent candidate to win a seat in the 2026 Nepalese general election
Awards & honours
Ramon Magsaysay Award
Jonathan B. Postel Service Award
Organizations & affiliations
- Nepal Wireless Networking Project
- National Innovation Center
Related people
Last updated: 2026-09-06