Harry Currie Award
The Harry Currie Memorial Trophy' was inaugurated to perpetuate the memory of Harry Currie, who died on 11th March 2002, while holding the office of Honorary Secretary of the Mersey and Westem Cheshire Network of the IET. to Ashkan on 16th June 2021. It is awarded in recognition of an exceptional contribution to the Mersey and Western Cheshire Network, particularly by young members.
The winner in 2020 is Ashkan Eliasy, then the vice-chairman of the Young Professional Group.
Due to Covid-19 restrictions, the trophy was presented to Ashkan on 16th June 2021.
Congratulations and keep up the good work.
Dr Andrew Kaldos,
Immediate Chairman
IET Mersey and Westem Cheshire Network
Spotlight on Award Recognition in the Institution of Engineering & Technology (IET) Newsletter
My name is Dr Ashkan Eliasy, and I am a scientist, consultant and entrepreneur. I would like to tell a brief story of my involvement with the IET and its contribution to my professional development. I first came across the IET through a meeting with Dr Andrew Kaldos. At this time, I was completing a part-time MBA and a part-time PhD simultaneously while being a full-time senior research associate. Despite all that, I wanted to support and believed that I could add value. However, due to my hectic schedule, I decided the best way to contribute was to provide strategic support. And in doing so, I was fully supported by my supervisor Professor Ahmed Elsheikh.
Page 6, IET Newsletter, 2021
To this aim, in January 2018, in a meeting organised by Mr Robert McDonald, started my voluntary contribution as the vice-chairman of Young Professional Group (YPG). Since then, attended monthly meetings for YPG where we planned for events and Robert offered plenty of learning opportunities.
These included skills such as opening a professional meeting, conducting and chairing sessions, decentralised management, budgeting, promotions and marketing, communications, chairing events, public speaking and networking. I supported YPG in all its activities including restructuring and expanding the group.
In January 2021, I stepped down as the vice-chairman of the YPG to establish the Biomedical Engineering group. The group aims to raise awareness and further knowledge in this multidisciplinary field and support the industry. It covers topics on the application of engineering or technology to healthcare. The group strongly supported by Andrew, organised successful events and formed a committee of five exceptional individuals.
The IET provided me with the opportunity to exercise management and leadership skills in a safe and supportive environment that helped me to become a Chartered Engineer. With plenty of encouragements from Robert, Andrew and other colleagues, I completed all my studies and passed my PhD viva in April 2021. I gained skills during my involvement in the IET that were exceptionally complementary to my academic studies. I would like to strongly encourage students and young members to seize the opportunity and develop their professional skills by getting involved in such activities.
I am pleased that I could contribute to the success of the IET Mersey and Western Cheshire Network and honoured to be receiving the prestigious 2020 Harry Currie Award.