Southern Asia Region's year of achievements

The ImechE Southern Asia Region releases its 2015 Year in Review

Last month, IMechE Southern Asia Region (SAR) released their 2015 Year in Review, recapturing the major events undertaken by volunteers in the member countries of the region (India, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal and Maldives). Starting in 2013, SAR is the only international region to produce an annual review with this being their third successive issue. Guided by the regional chair – Sam Perera CEng FIMechE, the review was compiled by SAR Webmaster – Siddartha Khastgir CEng MIMechE and Sri Lanka Group Webmaster - Remon Issac Rajamaney AMIMechE.

The aim of the year in review was to collate and inform all members in different member countries about the activities taking place both at a regional level and locally in different member countries. Exchange of ideas has been a key for the development of the region as activities in one member country can inspire similar activities in another member country.

The review shows the diversity of events carried out by the region and reports of the rapid growth of membership in the region across all member grades. It is heartening to see increased number of events being organized by young engineers focussing on increasing member engagement and retention. One of the highlights of the year was the Engineering Tomorrow event organized for the second year running in Colombo, Sri Lanka. The event comprised on SAR Speak Out for Engineering Finals, SAR regional design competition finals, Learned Society talks, Global Engineering Debate and Young member conference.

As a result of the various activities focussed on young member engagement, the region reported the highest share of affiliate-to-associate conversions among the international regions which is testimony to the good work being carried out by volunteers in all the member countries.

From 2016, the region aims to release a half-yearly newsletter too. The full SAR 2015 Year in Review can be downloaded or viewed on the Southern Asia NearYou pages.