Purnima Maharjan is a senior at UNK, where she’s studying information technology and networking with minors in data analytics and visual communication and design. (Photo by Erika Pritchard, UNK Communications)
KEARNEY – Unlike many of her classmates, Purnima Maharjan didn’t grow up in an online world.
The University of Nebraska at Kearney senior was raised in a small community in Nepal, where only the wealthy had computers and internet access in their homes. Watching YouTube videos, playing virtual games and communicating with friends and family through social media was “unimaginable” for Maharjan and her siblings.
“This limited access to technology actually triggered my curiosity about how things worked,” she explained. “I just became fascinated with the idea of connecting people and finding ways technology could make life easier.”
When she was an eighth grader, Maharjan’s family purchased their first laptop. Although they didn’t have internet yet, she was excited to start keyboarding and exploring the computer’s many functions.
“This was a turning point when, in my mind, that interest in technology deepened,” she said. “I wanted to know more and more about how technology works.”
Once she reached high school, Maharjan was fully committed to this career path. She chose an emphasis in computer science and embraced the challenge of taking classes in a male-dominated field.
“In Nepal, computer science and IT are often thought of as something only boys can do,” she said. “I wanted to prove them wrong.”
Maharjan excelled academically and even started her own after-school tutoring program where she helped dozens of younger students with their homework and lessons.
She decided to attend college in the U.S. – that’s where successful tech companies like Google, Meta and Microsoft are headquartered – and picked UNK because it offers a high-quality education at an affordable price. A recipient of the International Loper Scholarship – worth more than $4,000 per year – Maharjan also appreciates the close-knit campus environment.
“It’s very peaceful here and not very crowded. That’s why I like Kearney,” she said. “The professors are very nice and helpful, too. As an international student, that one-on-one support is really important.”
Maharjan is studying information technology and networking with minors in data analytics and visual communication and design. She enjoys the IT program because it focuses on both theoretical and practical knowledge, giving students numerous opportunities to test their skills through hands-on projects.
A dean’s list student, Maharjan has created an online card game, utilized software to analyze earthquake patterns and designed an e-commerce website. For her capstone project, she’s developing a website prototype that would include hours of operation and daily menus for UNK Dining, as well as functions that allow students to check their meal plan balance and identify the busiest times at the dining hall.
“I think this would be helpful for students when they’re planning their meals and schedules,” said Maharjan, who works part time as a student supervisor with UNK Dining. “It’s not done yet, but this is the most exciting project so far.”
In addition to the technical knowledge she’s gained in the classroom, Maharjan has enhanced her communication and leadership skills through her involvement in organizations such as the International Student Association and Nepalese Student Association. Both groups host annual festivals on campus highlighting cuisines and cultures from around the world.
Maharjan is also part of Epsilon Pi Tau, an international honor society that recognizes academic excellence among technology students and promotes professionals currently working in these fields. She recently won the organization’s Undergraduate Student Essay Award for Region 4, which includes Central and South America, the Central U.S. and parts of Canada. It’s the first time a UNK student has received this recognition.
As honorable basileus – a role similar to chapter president – Maharjan led last week’s Epsilon Pi Tau induction ceremony on campus.
“Each step of my journey has further strengthened my commitment to continuous development of my skills and contributing toward the advancement of technology in my community and beyond,” she said. “My membership in Epsilon Pi Tau has inspired me to keep raising the bar in terms of my achievements and learning more about this exciting field.”
Maharjan will graduate from UNK in May 2026, then she plans to pursue a master’s degree before starting her career in the U.S. Eventually, she wants to return to Nepal, with a goal of using technology to improve access to health care in her home country.
“That’s the great thing about technology,” she said. “It’s never-ending. Every day there is something new to learn and something new we can create to enhance our lives.”
