Dear Members of IIChE Family,
It is with great honour and a deep sense of responsibility that I address you as the President-2026 of the IIChE. I extend my warm greetings to all our Fellows, Members, Associate Members, Life Members, and to our vibrant Student friends across the country.
For over seven decades, IIChE has played a pivotal role in advancing chemical engineering education, research, professional practice, and national development. Our strength lies in our diverse and committed membership spanning academia, industry, research institutions, and young aspiring engineers. I sincerely acknowledge the contributions of my predecessors and the continued support of our members in strengthening the Institute.
The year 2026 presents both challenges and opportunities as the world undergoes rapid transformation driven by sustainability imperatives, energy transition, digital technologies, and innovation-led growth. IIChE must evolve as a national thought leader, a strong industry–academia interface, and a globally connected professional body representing Indian chemical engineering excellence.
Action Plan for 2026
Professional and Member Engagement
- Revitalization of IIChE centres through structured technical lectures, industry visits, and expert interactions.
- Monthly national webinars on emerging areas such as green hydrogen, carbon capture, advanced materials, process safety, and AI-enabled chemical engineering.
- Enhanced member networking through thematic technical divisions and forums.
Student Chapter Development
- Launch of a National Student Chapter Mentorship Program with active involvement of senior IIChE members.
- Organization of student-focused technical competitions, hackathons, and innovation challenges.
- Career guidance, internship facilitation, and industry exposure initiatives for student members.
Industry–Academia Collaboration
- Strengthening partnerships with core and emerging industries through joint workshops and problem-solving sessions.
- Promotion of continuing education and professional certification programs aligned with industry needs.
- Increased industry participation in IIChE conferences, congresses, and technical activities.
Sustainability and National Priorities
- Alignment of IIChE programs with national missions such as Atmanirbhar Bharat, Net-Zero Goals, Circular Economy, and Energy Efficiency.
- Focused initiatives on cleaner production, sustainable process design, and environmental stewardship.
- Contribution to policy dialogue through expert inputs from the chemical engineering community.
Research, Innovation, and Outreach
- Strengthening IIChE publications and knowledge dissemination platforms.
- Encouragement of interdisciplinary research and technology translation.
- Expansion of global collaborations with international professional bodies and institutions.
Moving Forward Together
The success of IIChE depends on the collective participation and commitment of its members. I invite each one of you—professionals, academicians, industry leaders, and students—to actively engage in IIChE activities and contribute to shaping a strong and future-ready Institute.
Let us work together to make 2026 a year of innovation, inclusivity, and impact, reaffirming IIChE’s role in national development and global progress.
Jai Gyan ! Jai Vigyan !! Jai Anusandhan !!! Jai Atmanirbhar Bharat !!!!
Prof. C. Karthikeyan
President-2026
Indian Institute of Chemical Engineers, Kolkata, India
