The British Royal Academy of Engineering (RAE) has awarded the prestigious RAE International Fellowship to Ir. Dr. Dennis Ganendra, who is of Sri Lankan descent. This Fellowship is the highest honour bestowed by the RAE and recognises Ganendra’s exceptional contributions to Engineering, including his commitment to and continuing high deliverables in innovation, infra-structure, policy and academic advancement.

He is the only Asian among the group of eight international fellows appointed this year. He is also a Fellow of the: Institution of Civil Engineers, UK; Institution of Engineers (IEM), Malaysia; Institution of Highways and Transportation; Academy of Sciences Malaysia (ASM); and a Climate Action Fellow of the UN Global Compact – Network Malaysia.

Ganendra’s mantra is ‘good business doing good,’ which he has developed to encompass both advisory and investment initiatives as well as influencing built environment. As a prominent example, he advised on the development and delivery of the first green building (platinum rating GBI ) Vatican Enunciature in the world, a news release in connection with the award said.

Dr. Ganendra has interfaced actively in Sri Lanka for decades, including through marriage to Sri Lankan born cultural entrepreneur and lawyer, Shalini Amerasinghe. He set up an Engineering Scholarship at Royal College in memory of his father, Ponnusamy Ganendra, who was also an outstanding alumnist. The scholarship, managed by the Royal College Trust covers local tertiary education for deserving engineering/science scholars. Committed to development at all levels, his family has also sponsored the building of numerous large wells to provide much needed potable water to communities, primarily in the North and Eastern districts.

He is the Chief Executive Officer of Minconsult Sdn Bhd, a leading international engineering presence, headquartered in Malaysia. (www.minconsult.com). With over 30 years of multi-disciplinary engineering project experience, his portfolio includes numerous award winning local and international projects. His visionary execution and nation building initiatives continue to shape the industry, benefitting societies through transformative change. He is also the Founder of pioneering renewable energy contractor, Timeless Green Sdn Bhd. (www.timelessgreen.com.my)

He joins the luminary group of international fellows that includes: Steven Chu FREng, Nobel Prize in Physics, Stanford University; John Hennessy FREng, ex-President of Stanford University; Pioneer of RISC; Frances Arnold FREng, Nobel Prize in Chemistry, Caltech.

The Royal Academy of Engineering (RAE) is UK-based and created by Royal Charter. The RAE is dedicated to promoting engineering excellence and advancing the engineering profession. Its charter provides that: “The object of the Academy shall be the pursuit, encouragement and maintenance of excellence in the whole field of engineering to useful purpose in order to promote the advancement of the science, art and practice of engineering for the benefit of the public and economy”.