The Institution would like to take the opportunity to especially thank all the international volunteers who have stood down this year. Their contribution has made a significant difference to raise the profile of the Institution as well as support the international membership to grow. The work of the volunteers is an essential part of the Institution, without which we would not be achieving the successes we have seen over the last few years, especially in the international arena.
Please see below the candidates who were successful in their bids to become elected international volunteers for the IMechE:
ISB Chair Elections
The International Strategy Board elections for the role of Vice Chair took place in March/April 2024
ISB Chair – Vinesh Thiruchelvam
Prof Ir EurIng Ts Dr Vinesh Thiruchelvam has over 27 years of experience in engineering education/academia, ICT, operations & maintenance, facility management, design and project management in various industries ranging from building services/property, oil & gas, district cooling plants, co-generation power plants and the port industry.
He has managed deliveries of international projects in the US, Maldives, UK, Hong Kong, Macau, China, India, Russia, Iran, UAE, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Vietnam, Brunei, Singapore and Malaysia. Prof Vinesh was the principal engineer on Malaysia’s first Waste to Energy technology transfer program and WtE BoT project from 2002 to 2004 and head of a port’s O&M Department from 1998 to 2002 after a year’s engineering stint with Stryker Medical, USA in 1997.
Having moved to the Middle East in 2005, his project directorship was mainly in the building services/property sector primarily in designing sustainable and energy efficient buildings, railways and airports. Prof Vinesh is currently the Chief Innovation & Enterprise Officer (CIEO) for the Asia Pacific University of Technology & Innovation in Malaysia after stints as Head of School, Dean and Deputy Vice Chancellor since 2012.
He has led design teams in developing numerous innovations that have won international and national awards while structuring the start-up eco-system and collaborating with the industry for curriculum, research and project developments in emerging technologies such as AI, VR/AR, Blockchain, Analytics and IoT.
At IMechE he has held several positions such as the Malaysian Branch Chair and South East Asia Regional Chair while actively engaging in numerous developments for divisions such as the Engineering Education & Skills Board (EESB), Process, Sustainable Resources and Digital Working sub-groups since 2013. Prof Vinesh has also co-led the setting up of IMechE official representation in Vietnam, Indonesia and the Philippines.
North East Asia Regional Elections
The regional elections for North East Asia took place in April/May 2024 for the positions of Regional Chair and Young member Representative.
Regional Chair – Vincent Ho
Prof. Vincent Ho actively contributes to the operations and decision-making process in the Hong Kong branch as an office bearer Additionally, he is a member of the nominations committee for IMechE HQ. Vincent made history as the first international President of IOSH.
He collaborates closely with Asia-Pacific professional institutions. Vincent's dedication to these roles highlights his commitment to the branch and the profession.
Retired from MTR, he is a Professor of Practice at PolyU (HK) and an adjunct professor at HKUST, HKU, and CityU. Vincent holds a BS in Mechanical Engineering, PhD in Nuclear Engineering, CEng, and R.P.E. (HK).
Regional Young Member Representative – Chan Kwok Wai Ken - Elected unopposed
Mr. Chan holds a Bachelor degree in Mechanical Engineering from the Hong Kong Polytechnic University. He later attained his Master degree in Mechanical Engineering at the University of Hong Kong.
Currently, Mr. Chan is the Chairman of the Young Member Section at Hong Kong Branch for the term 2023-2024 and actively organises activities for members.
Mr. Chan is now working at the Hong Kong Electric Company Limited as an Engineer and he contributes to the project management of Powerplant projects. His extensive expertise lies in the realms of operation and project management within the power sector.
Oceania Regional Elections
The regional elections for Oceania took place in April/May 2024 for the positions of Regional Chair and Young member Representative.
Regional Chair - Nic Coulthard
Nic’s career has seen him working in a number of engineering roles across the British and Australian railway industries. The IMechE has supported Nic for almost 25 years and for the past 10 he has been a highly active volunteer.
Some of his proudest achievements to date include mentoring engineers to chartered level, helping to develop the Victorian government's engineering registration scheme, and winning the IMEchE's International Volunteer Award.
We welcome all members to join the Institution in congratulating the newly elected Region Representatives for the international network.
If you have any questions, please email
Mary.newton@imeche.org