Engineering Innovation Takes Center Stage at IEI Industry Excellence Awards 2024 to Shape India’s Global Future

The Institution of Engineers (India) [IEI] today unveiled the exciting agenda and themes for the upcoming 17th IEI Industry Excellence Awards 2024 and 4th IEI Engineering Education Excellence Awards 2024. Scheduled to take place on December 19, 2024, at Novotel Hotel & Residences, Kolkata, the awards center around this year’s powerful theme: “Engineering Innovation, Shaping India’s Future as a Global Leader”. The theme emphasises the critical role of engineering in driving India’s industrial, economic, and educational progress on a global stage. With sustainability, digital transformation, entrepreneurship, and educational reforms taking centre stage, the event aims to spark meaningful dialogue among policymakers, industry leaders, academicians, and innovators to address critical challenges and opportunities in engineering and education.
The awards ceremony will be inaugurated by Shri Sovandeb Chattopadhyay, Hon’ble Minister of Agriculture, West Bengal, as the Chief Guest, and Shri Bratya Basu, Hon’ble Minister for Education, West Bengal Government, will attend as a distinguished guest. Joining them as the Guest of Honour will be Er BRV Susheel Kumar, FIE, Vice Chairman & Managing Director of TGMDCL, Hyderabad.
Jury Members for 2024 Awards: The awards are judged by esteemed committees comprising leaders and experts in the fields of engineering and education. The 17th IEI Industry Excellence Awards 2024 jury committee includes Dr. Enti Ranga Reddy, Er K.K. Mehrotra, Dr. Aloknath De, Er Devendra Gill, and Er M. Venkatachalam. For the 4th IEI Engineering Education Excellence Awards 2024, the jury comprises Dr. Seeram Sathyanarayna, Er Santhosh Mutha, Cdr (Dr) Bhaskar M Bhandarkar, Dr. Anil Joseph, and Er J.C. Singhal. Their collective expertise ensures a rigorous and fair evaluation process, recognising exceptional contributions to engineering innovation and educational excellence.
Key Highlights of the Event: IEI announced four engaging panel discussions at today’s press conference that will accompany the awards. These panels will address pressing themes such as sustainability, digital transformation, the impact of NEP 2020, and entrepreneurship:

1. “How Sustainability Paradigm is at the Core of Industries’ Future?”
   Moderated by Mr. M. Venkatachalam, FIE Council Member, IEI, this session will feature leaders from Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), SAIL, Carborundum Universal, High Energy Batteries, and Afcons Infrastructure, focusing on how industries can balance growth with environmental responsibility.
2. “How Digital Transformation and Data Intelligence are Helping Industries’ Growth?”
   Moderated by Mr. KK Mehrotra, FIE Council Member, IEI, this panel will include experts from Kirloskar Brothers, MECON, ERDC, IDAM Infrastructure Advisory Pvt. Ltd., and WAPCOS Limited. The discussion will explore the role of digital tools and data intelligence in enhancing efficiency and competitiveness.
3. “How NEP 2020 is Making Impact Through Adoption and Industry Connect?”
   Moderated by Dr. Seeram Satyanarayana, FIE Council Member, IEI, this panel will see participation from institutions like SRM University, Thiagarajar Polytechnic, Mody University, Veltech University, and Dr. VB Kolte Institute, highlighting how NEP 2020 is transforming engineering education through stronger industry partnerships.
4. “How Entrepreneurship is Embraced in Corporates, MSMEs, and Academia?”
   Moderated by Dr. Devendra Gill, FIE Council Member, IEI, this discussion will feature panellists from Safran Data Systems, Yogiji Digi, Dev Environergy, Sogefi, and Shri Vishnu Engineering College, focusing on building entrepreneurial ecosystems that drive innovation and economic growth.

During the press conference, Dr. Ranga Reddy, Chairman of the Excellence Award Committee, remarked, “The awards this year are more than recognitions—they are a platform for thought leadership and action. Whether it is sustainability or digital transformation, these discussions will help industries chart a roadmap for growth and innovation. We are proud to have leaders like Shri Sovandeb Chattopadhyay and Shri Shri Bratya Basu with us, whose presence adds immense value to this platform.”
Maj Gen (Dr) Mohan Jeet Singh Syali, VSM (Retd), Secretary and Director General, IEI, added, “The IEI Industry Excellence and Engineering Education Awards celebrate India’s engineering talent, but they also address the future. Sustainability, technological advancement, and education are the pillars of tomorrow. These panel discussions will create meaningful dialogue between industries, academia, and policymakers.”
A Platform to Inspire and Collaborate: With participation from leading organisations like Tata Consulting Engineers Limited, Afcons Infrastructure, Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), Carborundum Universal, MECON, SAIL, Safran Data Systems, and WAPCOS Limited, along with distinguished academic institutions, the awards promise to celebrate excellence and foster collaborations that matter.
A Glimpse into Tomorrow: The discussions and awards on December 19, 2024, will serve as a pivotal platform to address critical themes shaping India’s engineering and education sectors. With participation from government leaders, policymakers, corporates, MSMEs, and educators, the event will foster collaboration, celebrate achievements, and drive forward sustainable, technology-driven growth.
The awards will honour organisations and individuals across diverse categories for their outstanding contributions to operational excellence, sustainability, research, and education. By recognising innovation and leadership, the IEI Awards aim to inspire progress, facilitate knowledge exchange, and build partnerships aligning with India’s global growth and development vision.