The Tamilnadu Engineers Forum highlights green innovations and cross-border collaborations in Kuwait engineering conference
The Tamilnadu Engineers Forum (TEF) in Kuwait recently hosted a significant milestone event, combining its 16th Technological Innovations Conference and Exposition (TICE) with the 9th Engineering Excellence Awards (EEA). This prestigious occasion took place on October 9, 2025, at the Crowne Plaza Hotel, drawing over 1,000 attendees, including industry experts, engineers, innovators, and prominent figures in the engineering sector. The event highlighted TEF's enduring commitment to fostering innovation, sustainability, and professional development within the engineering community, especially among professionals of Indian origin in Kuwait.
Themed "The Rise of Green Engineering: Advancing Sustainability Through Technology," the conference underscored the growing importance of sustainable practices and technological advancements in engineering fields. The event also celebrated TEF's 26th anniversary, marking over two decades of professional growth, technical knowledge sharing, and empowerment of Indian engineers in Kuwait. TEF’s role as a non-profit professional association has been instrumental in promoting technical excellence and community development within the region.
The event was honoured by the presence of distinguished guests from leading industry players, including Mr. Hamza Abdullah Bakhash, Chairman of Kuwait National Petroleum Company (KNPC); Mr. Hamad Rashid Al-Zuwayer, Deputy CEO of North & West Kuwait at Kuwait Oil Company (KOC); Dr. Fahad Al-Ghanem, Manager of Operations Support Group (Gas) at KOC; and Dr. Igazeuma Okoroba, Head of Sustainability at Dangote Cement, Nigeria. Their participation added considerable prestige and reflected the strong ties between TEF and key stakeholders across the oil, gas, and industrial sectors in Kuwait and beyond.
The 9th Engineering Excellence Awards celebrated remarkable achievements across a wide range of categories, honouring both organisations and individuals who have made significant contributions to engineering innovation and sustainability. Among the project award winners, Schlumberger Oilfield Eastern Ltd received the gold in the Research, Technology, Engineering & Consultancy category, while Jereh Oil & Gas Engineering Corporation was recognised with a gold award in Construction & Industry for its exemplary delivery of the Jurassic Production Facilities 5 project for KOC. Environmental stewardship was also rewarded, with KAK–LAMOR taking gold in the Environment & Sustainability category.
Other notable project award winners included Burgan Bank in Data Management, Digital & Communication Technologies, and Australian University, which secured both gold and silver in the Energy category. The awards highlighted the breadth of innovation occurring within the engineering landscape, spanning from energy solutions to digital technology integration.
Individual accolades celebrated leading professionals who have demonstrated excellence and leadership in their fields. Highlights included the Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam Engineering Stewardship Award, which was presented to Mr. Hamad Rashed Al-Zuwayer, Deputy CEO at KOC. The Engineering Professional of the Year and Engineer of the Year awards recognised multiple top engineers from KOC, KNPC, and other organisations for their technical expertise and contributions to operational excellence. Young and emerging engineers were also celebrated, spotlighting future leaders such as Mr. Sulaiman Abdulaziz Al Omar and Ms. Fatemah Abdullah Ali Mohammad from KNPC, as well as emerging talents from Australian University.
Additionally, the awards acknowledged social responsibility efforts, with senior safety engineer Mr. Ahmad AlLughani of KIPIC and social activist Mr. Vengada Mathi being honoured for their community impact.
TEF representatives at the conference emphasised the importance of sustaining innovation ecosystems and fostering cross-border collaboration in engineering to address evolving global challenges. They reiterated the organisation’s dedication to creating platforms where engineers can exchange knowledge, showcase advancements, and contribute to Kuwait’s technological progress. The combined event of the 16th TICE and 9th EEA once again affirmed TEF Kuwait’s pivotal role in driving professional growth and technological leadership for engineers of Indian origin, while strengthening relationships with Kuwait’s industrial giants and academic institutions.
The presence of high-profile industry leaders and the diverse range of awardees reflect the integrative and inclusive vision TEF maintains as it continues to influence Kuwait’s engineering sectors through innovation, sustainability, and community engagement.