Dr. Mahabir Pun

Mahabir Pun is a visionary Nepali social entrepreneur, and Science, Technology and Innovation activist renowned for pioneering wireless internet connectivity in the remote, rugged terrains of the Himalayas. After earning a master's degree in the United States, Pun returned to his native village of Nangi in 2002 and founded the Nepal Wireless Networking Project, utilizing improvised Wi-Fi technology to bridge the digital divide for hundreds of mountain communities, enabling vital telemedicine and e-learning. His extraordinary community leadership earned him the prestigious Ramon Magsaysay Award in 2007 and induction into the Internet Hall of Fame in 2014. To foster local tech entrepreneurship, Pun went on to establish the National Innovation Center (NIC) in 2012. Today, he continues to drive Nepal's digital evolution from the highest levels of government, serving as the nation's Minister for Science, Technology, and Innovation. He will recuse from any activities related to PRI's advisory role to avoid conflict of interests.