IET Young Professionals: Sri Lanka celebrates 30 years of excellence
Since the establishment of the Institution of Electrical Engineers (IEE) Young Members Section (YMS) Sri Lanka in 1994 – the second younger members section outside of the UK – the team has undergone a remarkable transformation and evolved into the IET Young Professionals Sri Lanka, reflecting the 2006 formation of the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET).
The creation of the Younger Members Sections (YMS) opened the door for young professionals to actively participate in the network’s activities. The YMS exemplified the spirit of innovation and teamwork as one of the earliest international youth groups inside the IEE.
In recent times, the IET Young Professionals (YP) Sri Lanka has continued its legacy of excellence, empowering the next generation of engineers and innovators. Their dedication is exemplified through initiatives such as student scholarships and mentorship programmes, which are aimed at nurturing talent and fostering professional growth.
Winning the 2021 IET Volunteer Core Value Award was a further testimonial to their unwavering dedication to integrity, excellence and teamwork, and it further highlighted their combined efforts in pushing engineering and technology forward.
Vice-chair of the current YP Sri Lanka Executive Committee Thathsara Nanayakkara said: “Our primary goal is to empower young professionals by honouring the vibrant people who personify the best values of the engineering profession, hopefully inspiring the next generation and promoting an excellence-focused culture.
“As we move forward, YP Sri Lanka won’t waver in its dedication to innovation, teamwork and excellence, and will continue to focus on bringing about positive change to the engineering and technology sectors.”
The YP Sri Lanka network also serves as a pivotal platform for young professionals to articulate their concerns and champion the interests of future engineers. In September last year, a 30 years of excellence celebration event was held at the Sir John Kotelawala Defence University in Ratmalana. This landmark event marked three decades of achievements and milestones, highlighting the significant contributions of the network to the engineering and technology community. IET chief engagement and growth officer in the UK Toni Allen was a special guest and speaker at the event, sharing her insight into the global vision and impact of the IET.
From engaging panel discussions on the future of engineering and technology to Q&A sessions on the benefits of IET membership, the activities at the event created a vibrant platform for networking and fostering strong connections among industry professionals, YPs and student members.
Thathsara concluded: “The celebration served as a powerful reminder of the role young professionals play in shaping the future of engineering. Inspired by the stories and insights shared, attendees left with a renewed commitment to leveraging innovation and collaboration to address the local and global challenges we face. The event reinforced a sense of pride and responsibility within the IET community, ensuring that the legacy of excellence continues to thrive.”