Mahabir Pun takes charge of Nepal’s new innovation ministry he campaigned to create

KATHMANDU: In a rare turn of events in Nepali politics, independent lawmaker and renowned innovator Mahabir Pun has been appointed as Nepal’s first Minister for Science, Technology and Innovation—a ministry whose creation he had personally advocated for over the past several months.

Pun formally assumed office on Tuesday at the ministry’s headquarters, formerly occupied by the Ministry of Youth and Sports, after being inducted into the Cabinet led by Prime Minister Balendra Shah.

His appointment places one of Nepal’s most respected technology advocates and social innovators at the helm of a newly established ministry designed to accelerate research, innovation, entrepreneurship and technological development.

From Advocacy to Leadership

The creation of the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation was far from guaranteed.

On May 13, the government decided to reduce the number of federal ministries from 22 to 18 as part of an administrative reform and expenditure-cutting drive aimed at improving efficiency and reducing recurrent government spending.

While several ministries were merged or abolished, the government simultaneously established a new Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation, separating science and technology functions from the education portfolio and adding innovation as a standalone policy area.

The decision came after months of lobbying from Pun, who repeatedly argued that Nepal could not achieve sustainable economic growth without prioritizing science, research, technology and innovation.

Prior to the government’s final decision, there had been no indication that a separate innovation ministry would be created. In fact, discussions within government circles suggested the federal structure could be reduced to just 17 ministries.

Pun publicly expressed concern at the time that science and technology could be sidelined during the restructuring process.

In social media posts and parliamentary discussions, he warned that innovation-related functions might be scattered across different ministries, undermining Nepal’s ability to build a knowledge-based economy.

His concerns resonated with academics, entrepreneurs, researchers and technology professionals who had long argued that Nepal lacked an institutional mechanism dedicated to innovation policy.

The government ultimately opted to establish the new ministry, a move welcomed by the innovation community and hailed as a landmark shift in policy priorities.

A Long-Standing Campaign

Pun’s advocacy did not begin with the recent government restructuring.

Earlier this year, he submitted a formal memorandum to the Prime Minister urging the establishment of a dedicated ministry responsible for science, technology, research and innovation.

In the letter, Pun argued that Nepal’s persistent economic challenges were partly the result of decades of neglect toward research and technological development.

He warned that the country was continuously losing talented, creative and innovative young people to foreign labor markets because of the absence of opportunities for scientific research and entrepreneurship at home.

According to Pun, Nepal’s development strategy must move beyond traditional politics and infrastructure spending to embrace innovation-driven growth, technology-based industries and scientific advancement.

As a member of the House of Representatives elected independently from Myagdi, he repeatedly raised these concerns during parliamentary sessions, making innovation policy one of his signature issues.

Now, the responsibility for delivering those reforms rests on his own shoulders.

A National Figure in Innovation

Pun is widely regarded as one of Nepal’s most influential social innovators.

Born in Nangi of Myagdi district, he became internationally known for pioneering the Nepal Wireless Networking Project, which brought wireless internet services to remote Himalayan communities long before connectivity became widespread in Nepal.

The project connected rural schools, health centers and communities, enabling access to education, healthcare and communication services that had previously been unavailable.

For this work, Pun received the prestigious Ramon Magsaysay Award in 2007, often described as Asia’s equivalent of the Nobel Prize.

He later received the Jonathan B. Postel Service Award from the Internet Society in recognition of his contributions to expanding internet access in rural Nepal.

Building a Culture of Innovation

Beyond internet connectivity, Pun has spent years promoting grassroots innovation through the National Innovation Center.

The center has supported young inventors, engineers and researchers seeking practical solutions to local challenges.

Among the projects promoted by the center are:

• Medical and healthcare technologies
• Agricultural machinery and tools
• Solar-powered equipment
• Service robots for hospitals and industries
• Food-processing technologies
• Waste-management solutions
• Disaster-response equipment
• Educational technology initiatives

During the COVID-19 pandemic, the center gained national attention for developing personal protective equipment, face shields, isolation hoods, nursing robots, swab collection boxes and specialized containers for handling the bodies of deceased patients.

The center also developed innovations such as baby warmers, solar fruit dryers, agricultural equipment, automated food-processing systems and various rural technology solutions.

Academic Background and Public Service

Pun studied science at the University of Nebraska in the United States on a scholarship.

Despite opportunities abroad, he returned to Nepal and devoted himself to rural development and technological innovation.

He also established educational initiatives in his home village and became a prominent advocate for science-based development policies.

Before entering Parliament, Pun briefly served as Education Minister in the interim government led by former Chief Justice Sushila Karki.

He later resigned to contest parliamentary elections, eventually winning as an independent candidate from Myagdi.

Throughout his political journey, Pun remained closely associated with innovation initiatives, often raising funds personally through book sales to support research and development projects.

Expectations High for New Ministry

The creation of the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation has generated considerable expectations among researchers, entrepreneurs, startups and the broader technology community.

Observers say the ministry could play a crucial role in formulating policies that encourage research and development, support technology-based startups, strengthen university-industry collaboration and create opportunities for young innovators.

However, significant challenges remain.

Nepal’s spending on research and development remains among the lowest in South Asia, while many talented graduates continue to seek opportunities abroad. Experts say the ministry’s success will depend on its ability to secure adequate funding, coordinate across government agencies and translate innovation into commercially viable enterprises.

For years, Mahabir Pun stood outside government demanding greater attention to science, technology and innovation. With the ministry now established and entrusted to him, he finds himself in a position to implement the very reforms he once advocated.

The challenge ahead will be turning a long-standing vision into measurable results for Nepal’s economy, entrepreneurs and future generations.