Chemical Technology April 2016

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Chemical Technology • April 2016
Michelle Low, SAIChE Council member, interviews Veeash Oomardath
Veeash Oomardath (AMIChemE) was
one of the eight finalists for the Young
Chemical Engineer in Industry category
for the 2015 IChemE Global awards. It
is a great achievement to be shortlisted,
as IChemE received many nominations
from over 40 countries. Next month we
will feature Craig Sheridan (AMIChemE)
who was shortlisted for the Food and
Drink category.
ML: How did hear about the competi-
tion?
VO: I’ve been a member of IChemE
since I was studying at university; and
I am familiar with their annual events
(mainly through their TCE publication).
Over the past six years, I have also been
part of their awards ceremonies on a
number of occasions. During the 2010
Global Awards my project received highly
commended status in the ‘Engineering
Project of the Year’ category. I was also
shortlisted for the ‘Young Engineer of the
Year’ during the 2010 awards.
ML: What made you choose Chem Eng
and to go into industry?
VO: During high school, I had a passion
for chemistry and I always saw myself
pursuing a career which incorporated
this. Unlike other fields of study, I think
chemical engineering does not follow a
set formula; and this is what I love about
it. You seldom have a routine, and never
do the same stuff each day.
When you leave university in South
Africa, you are also quite lucky in that
there are a number of avenues you can
follow. In a country built on mining, there
is now a diverse range of industries in
which chemical engineering forms the
backbone. So, you are really spoilt for
choice. And I think this diversity of choice
really attracted me to the field.
I also enjoy the problem-solving facet
of the field. Few industries can say they
are 100 % efficient; so there is always
a better way to do things. My job is to
find that way. I love challenging the
conventions and not accepting the norm.
I always want to rewrite the playbook,
and this is my drive and why I chose to
go into industry.
ML: Did you attend the awards cer-
emony in November 2015, and if so how
was the experience?
VO: Yes I did attend the awards in Birming-
ham. These awards are organised to the
highest standards; which makes for an
enjoyable evening out.
It’s always an amazing experience, to
spend a day with your peers from industry.
It is interesting to learn about what other
engineers from around the world are busy
with in their companies. Overall it was an
excellent networking opportunity.
ML: Any advice for young chemical en-
gineers who want to go into industry?
VO: At present, it’s not business as usual
at most companies around the world.
The global economy is in a very volatile
state, on speculation of a slowdown in
Chinese growth. With this, the price of
commodities has hit decade lows. In
this environment, many companies are
trying to cut costs and process efficiency
is imperative for survival. In the wake of
this, the need for chemical engineers in
industry is greater than ever. It falls on
engineers to implement more innovative
solutions to ensure the survival of com-
panies. And in any case, the best time
to learn is when things are going wrong.
Innovation is often sparked from
despair, and so it’s in times like these
that the best ideas are born. Now, when
the rulebooks are being rewritten, it’s an
exciting time to be a chemical engineer
in industry.
In South Africa, we are not insulated
from the rest of the world, so the need to
evolve is also important. So in the next
few years you are going to see engineers
assuming new roles which better suit
the needs of this evolving economy. This
may provide many opportunities to young,
aspirant engineers. So overall it’s a great
time to be a chemical engineer.
Connect with Veeash!
LinkedIn:
Twitter:
Facebook:
Email:
IChemE link:
The IChemE Global Awards opened for
entries on Tuesday 1 March 2016. The
closing date is Friday 24 June 2016. Visit
the following website for more informa-
tion:
Chemical Engineering Matters — the blog
Chemical Engineering Matters, IChemE’s
technical strategy, outlines the impact of
the chemical engineering discipline in the
21st century.
The report describes the thinking
behind everything that IChemE is doing
to support its members and promote the
profession internationally.
It is intended to provoke debate and
stimulate activity and engagement both
within the profession and beyond it.
The strategy addresses four key chal-
lenge areas facing society and the world
today: water; energy; food and nutrition;
and health and wellbeing
It outlines the scope, application and
implications for chemical engineering in a
series of ‘vistas’ examining activity across
these four areas. You can view the ‘vistas’
on water, energy, food and wellbeing on-
line at
engineering/matters.
Now in its second edition, Chemical
Engineering Matters reflects member
feedback and reports on progress made
since it was first published in 2013.
Significantly, it identifies eight priority
action areas for IChemE. These actions
will underpin the institution’s work pro-
grammes in the years ahead.
SAICHE ICHEMESPOTLIGHT