- Mahabir Pun, National Innovation Center chair, appointed Nepal's interim Education, Science, and Technology Minister.
- Pun's appointment follows public demand; his term lasts until the Falgun 2082 election.
- He urged the public to share ideas for improving Nepal's science and technology sectors.
Mahabir Pun has been appointed as the new minister for education and science, and technology. On September 22, 2025, Pun, who also chairs the National Innovation Center (NIC), was sworn in in his ministerial role, along with others, in the current cabinet of Prime Minister Mrs. Sushila Karki.
Pun will now head the Ministry of Education, Science, and Technology for the interim government before the election in Falgun 2082. He has been a popular figure in Nepal for his passion and contributions in the field of the internet, technology, and communication. He was awarded the Ramon Magasaysay Award in 2007 for connecting remote villages with the internet. There was a huge demand from the public that he get a job in the current interim government, and that has materialized.
Besides Mahabir Pun, PM Karki has appointed Madan Pariyar (Ministry of Agriculture) and Anil Kumar Sinha (Ministry of Industry and Land Reforms) in her latest cabinet expansion.
Also: Pillars of Digital Security: Cybersecurity and data privacy
Mahabir Pun makes a plea prior to his ministerial role
As the news broke that his name was recommended for the ministry, he made a plea via his official Facebook account not to waste time on congratulating him and bringing him garlands and Traditional scarves (khada).
He has rather requested people to approach him with ideas to work on the country’s education, science, and technology, which can improve the fields in five months. He said that people with relevant ideas can contact him on his WhatsApp number, 9841592361 (from his Facebook profile). In his usual Mahabir-style, he even said that he shouldn’t be referred to as a minister, and if anyone wants to address him as one, they should call him what should translate as a scrap scientist minister.
Expectations from Mahabir Pun as a Science and Education Minister
Dr. Pun’s appointment as the Education, Science, and Technology minister brings hope and excitement. And although the tenure could last for six months till Falgun, he is expected to uphold integrity and devise some game-changing plans and policies to better the field of education and science, and technology. In the past, he has been a vocal critic of the complacency and dated policies of the government. Now, he is in a position to deliver on expectations and promises.
He could work for the promotion of innovation, entrepreneurship, enhance digital technologies, and help contribute tangibly towards a digital Nepal. We could also see him improving the government’s Digital Nepal Framework. Pun could work closely with the Communication Minister Jagdish Kharel to enhance the state of science, technology, and innovation in Nepal.
