Institution news
Siddartha Khastgir CEng MIMechE has been made chair of the International Young Members Committee, and will be the representative for more than 20,000 young Institution of Mechanical Engineer members worldwide.
Khastgir was originally nominated for the role of chair-elect for the IMechE International Young Members Committee (IYMC) by Louis Szeto, chairman of the North-East Asia region and Sam Perera, chairman of the Southern Asia region. He was later elected in the role of IYMC Chair by the International Strategy Board of the IMechE.
“I will try my best to bring the interests of the international young members to the forefront at a strategic level to bring a positive change for the benefit of our young members. I hope in my time as the chair, I am able live up to the expectations of my fellow engineers,” said Khastgir. “I would always welcome suggestions and comments from young members and experienced members worldwide and would encourage them to contact me or their young member representatives.”
Starting as a student member in 2008, Khastgir has been volunteering for the IMechE for more than eight years. During this period, he served in various roles, including as the chair of the first student chapter in India (2009 – 2011), and as editor of the India branch newsletter (2012 – 2014).
In his various roles Khastgir has focused on young member activities and avenues for increased member engagement. Some of the initiatives he started at the India branch level, such as the Photographer of the Year competition, have been replicated at the regional and the international level with great success.
Khastgir said: “I am a strong believer in the fact that the challenges faced by the Institution in the UK and internationally are similar, but require different solutions sensitive to the cultural diversity prevalent in the international regions. Acknowledging and embracing diversity in different areas like streams in mechanical engineering, gender, disability, culture and sexual orientation will be a key theme of the activities.”
One of the initiatives that Khastgir will work on during his time as chair will be to increase awareness of the need for unique, customised solutions for diversity across different regions. This will include acknowledging best practices from local groups and branches and adopting or adapting them for international implementation.
Khastgir will also focus on increased membership engagement by utilising digital media and online events, with video and photography competitions making up a part of the strategy.
The Institution offers a heartfelt thanks to Marcus Nicholls CEng MIMechE, who was the previous IYMC Chair and has now stepped down in this role. Marcus was instrumental in setting up the IYMC and the baton has now been passed on to Siddartha to take the committee forward.
To find out more information contact Siddartha Khastgir at iymcchair@imechenearyou.org