The Institution of Engineers (India) – Kuwait Chapter proudly celebrated its 57th Engineers' Day on November 23, 2024, at the prestigious Al Amwaj Hall, Holiday Inn Salmiya, Kuwait. The event was held under the theme, “Driving Sustainability with Engineering Solutions Embracing the Latest AI-Driven Technologies”, paying homage to the legendary Bharat Ratna Sir Mokshagundam Visvesvaraya, whose visionary contributions continue to inspire engineers globally.
The evening combined intellectual discussions, professional recognition, and a celebration of community spirit. It began with a warm welcome by the Masters of Ceremony, Eng. Subalakshmi and Eng. Anu Kurian, followed by the national anthems of Kuwait and India, symbolizing unity and mutual respect.
The MC invited dignitaries to the dais, including:
Eng. Sam Ananth, Honorary Chairman,
Eng. Sudhir Menghani, Honorary General Secretary,
Ms. Anchita Kethwas, Second Secretary (Consular) at the Indian Embassy,
Dr. Shorooq Al Jasser, Guest of Honor and Board Member of the Kuwait Society of Engineers,
Dr. A. Sivathanu Pillai, Chief Guest, Padma Shri and Padma Bhushan awardee, and renowned scientist from DRDO and ISRO,
Retired Colonel Er. Saleh M. Aleneze, Keynote Speaker and Director of Makhpiya Project Management.
Around 200 engineers from the Indian community in Kuwait actively participated, making the 57th Engineers' Day Celebration a resounding success.
The program commenced with a welcome address by Eng. Sam Ananth, Honorary Chairman, who emphasized the chapter’s dedication to fostering professional growth among Indian engineers in Kuwait. He extended his heartfelt appreciation to all dignitaries, members, and sponsors for their contributions to the event's success. Eng. Sam also highlighted the upcoming International Conference in late January 2025, encouraging enthusiastic participation from the community to make it equally impactful.
Eng. Krishna Jegan delivered an inspiring speech on the life and achievements of Bharat Ratna Sir Mokshagundam Visvesvaraya, motivating the audience to embody his visionary spirit. This was followed by the Engineer’s Oath, led by Dr. Mahendran Meyyappan, Ex-Officio Chairman, reminding attendees of their ethical and professional responsibilities.
A commemorative souvenir, encapsulating the key moments of the celebration, was proudly released, with dignitaries showcasing it as a symbol of the event's success.
Special addresses added depth to the evening:
Ms. Anchita Kethwas, Second Secretary (Consular) at the Indian Embassy, highlighted the synergy between Indian engineers and Kuwait’s technological advancements. She also encouraged participation in the “Bharat Ko Janiye” Quiz, fostering stronger ties between the two nations.
Dr. Shorooq Al Jasser, Board Member of the Kuwait Society of Engineers, underscored the importance of Indian engineers in collaboration with Kuwaiti engineers for developing sustainable solutions and advancing Kuwait’s sustainability goals.
Dr. A. Sivathanu Pillai, Chief Guest and a Padma Shri & Padma Bhushan awardee, inspired the audience with insights into India’s advancements in space technology, including future missions, rocket engineering, and missile development. Dr. Pillai graciously offered to conduct training sessions for children in Kuwait, including Kuwaiti youth, focusing on rocket engineering. Furthermore, he expressed a willingness to pursue a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with IPMA (International Project Management Association) to enhance engineering capabilities and foster professional development.
Retired Colonel Er. Saleh M. Aleneze, the keynote speaker, delivered a compelling address on sustainability and innovation, aligning perfectly with the event’s theme, “Driving Sustainability with Engineering Solutions Embracing the Latest AI-Driven Technologies”.
The chapter also recognized its sponsors, whose contributions were vital to the event's success. Mementos were presented to the Golden Sponsors as a token of appreciation for their unwavering support, which highlighted their commitment to fostering innovation and sustainability.
The outgoing Executive Committee members were honored for their dedication, and the event concluded with a grand dinner and networking session, offering attendees a platform to share ideas, forge connections, and celebrate the engineering profession’s contributions to a sustainable future.
The 57th Engineers' Day was a resounding success, reflecting the dedication and innovation of Kuwait’s engineering community. The IEI Kuwait Chapter extends heartfelt gratitude to all dignitaries, sponsors, participants, and volunteers for their contributions. Together, let us continue to drive sustainability and innovation in engineering!