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The American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) has expanded its global footprint with the launch of a new professional section in Kerala, a state that is home to one fifth of ASME’s members in India. The launch, held at the Novotel Accor in Kochi, was attended by nearly 75 participants, including professionals, academicians and students, who came together to discuss the evolving landscape of mechanical engineering. 

Mr. M Mohan, Director of Projects at the Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre, was the chief guest at the launch. In his address, Mohan highlighted the critical role of engineering innovation in shaping the future of India’s space and technology sectors, underscoring the importance of collaboration and knowledge-sharing between industry and academia. 

ASME, a not-for-profit organisation based in New York, is recognised globally for developing technical codes and standards in mechanical engineering, which are adopted in over 100 countries. With the launch of the Kerala section, ASME now has 117 student and six professional sections across India. 

The launch of the Kerala Section was spearheaded by ASME Foundation India (AFI), an organisation committed to impact the engineering community through four core strategies: education that inspires, careers that matter, ideas that innovate, and equity in engineering. Avni  Malhotra, Deputy Director of ASME Foundation India, and Vaishnavi Soni, Deputy Manager of Sections at ASME Foundation India, played an integral role in the launch of the Kerala Section.

The primary goal of the Kerala Section is to foster collaboration among engineering professionals in the state and to facilitate mentorship for young engineers and students, creating pathways for professional development and knowledge exchange. The launch provided a platform for students from 18 local institutes to network with professionals from diverse sectors, exploring career opportunities and discussing the future of engineering roles in a rapidly evolving global market. 

The leadership team of the ASME Kerala Section, including Chair V Rajendran Nair, Vice Chair Dr. Lijo Paul, Secretary Dr. Chacko Preno Koshy, Treasurer Manu Bhasuresan, and Members-at-Large Charles Variath Jacob and Dr. Basil Kuriachen, were also key contributors to the successful launch. 

The Kerala launch marks another milestone in ASME’s long-standing efforts to nurture a global  community of engineers capable of tackling some of the world’s most pressing technical challenges. Through these sections, ASME hopes to catalyse the professional development of young engineers, equipping them with the tools needed to meet the demands of a rapidly changing industry.

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