Er. VB Singh
President, IEI

Er. VB Singh, a distinguished Engineer and Legal Expert was elected as the President of The Institution of Engineers (India)[IEI] for the Session 2024-25 at the 727th Meeting of the IEI Council held in Hyderabad. He assumed the office of President, IEI, at the 105th Annual General Meeting of the Institution, held in Kolkata on 22 December 2024 during 39th Indian Engineering Congress.

Academic and Professional Background

Er. Singh's illustrious academic journey began with a Bachelor of Engineering (Civil) degree from IIT-Roorkee (formerly Roorkee University). His thirst for knowledge led him to pursue a Bachelor of Laws (LL.B.) and a Specialization in Taxation Laws from Lucknow University. He further enhanced his administrative acumen by earning a Postgraduate Diploma in Public Administration from the same Institution. Er. Singh’s academic excellence was evident early when he was awarded the prestigious National Merit Scholarship securing the 33rd rank in Uttar Pradesh in the High School Examination, a testament to his exceptional performance and distinction.

Professional Career

Er. Singh’s professional career spans nearly four decades, during which he served in various roles at the Uttar Pradesh Power Corporation, where he joined as an Assistant Engineer. He held multiple leadership positions, including Executive Engineer, Superintending Engineer and also performed the duties of the Chief Engineer. His work involved the design and planning of thermal power projects, the construction of Extra High Voltage Substations (up to 400 KV), and the mass production of PCC LT line supports. Er. VB Singh also contributed significantly to quality assurance and standardization in these projects.

Currently, he serves as an Adjunct Faculty in the Department of Civil Engineering at the SMS Group of Institutions, affiliated with Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam Technical University, Uttar Pradesh, imparting his vast knowledge and experience to the next generation of Engineers.

Contributions to Professional Organizations

Er. VB Singh has made remarkable contributions to several academic and professional organizations. He served on the Senate of Roorkee University for 20 years and is a long-standing member of the Uttar Pradesh Board of Technical Education. He is also actively involved with the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) as a member of the General Engineering Division Council. His role extends to various educational and research institutions, such as the Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar Central University, Birbal Sahni Institute of Palaeosciences (Under DST, Govt. of India).

Er. Singh’s dedication to promoting Water Resource Management is evident from his service on the National Executive Committee of the Indian Water Resources Society (IWRS) since 2013. He has also served as the Secretary of the elite Club of Lucknow, which comprises top administrators and executives of the region.

His exemplary contributions to the engineering community earned him the prestigious ‘Abhiyanta Ratna’ award in 2014, conferred by the Uttar Pradesh State Electricity Board Engineers’ Association in recognition of his long-standing services and leadership to engineering fraternity.

Role in The Institution of Engineers (India)

At the national level, Er. VB Singh has played a pivotal role in the governance and management of IEI. He has served as a Council Member for around a decade and as Vice President of IEI for the Session 2021-22. He previously served as Chairman, Civil Engineering Division Board (CVDB), the Institution’s largest Engineering Division, for three years and continues to contribute as a key member of the CVDB. Additionally, Er. Singh is an active member of the Finance Committee and the Board of Governors of both the National Skill Development Forum and the Sustainable Development Forum. His leadership in restructuring the headquarters’ cadre and revising Service Rules has enhanced the efficiency and productivity of IEI.

Er. Singh has made notable contributions to the promotion of Regional Languages in technical literature during his tenure as Chairman, National Languages Promotional Committee/Chief Editor of the 'Abhiyanta Bandhu' magazine.

He also served IEI as Chairman (2012-14) and Hony. Secretary (1996-2000) of the Uttar Pradesh State Centre. He has been involved in organizing numerous National and International Seminars, Workshops, and Conventions and successfully led large-scale renovations of the Uttar Pradesh Centre’s infrastructure.

Vision and Mission for IEI

As President of The Institution of Engineers (India), Er. VB Singh is focused on strengthening IEI's role as a prominent centre of technical knowledge, contributing meaningfully to the nation's development. His vision includes enhancing the Institution's visibility and reputation both nationally and internationally. He is dedicated to promoting collaboration between industry and academia, improving the quality of IEI publications and supporting the professional growth of members through technical sessions and short-term courses.

Er. Singh is also attentive to the needs of AMIE students, advocating for their recognition in government jobs, higher education, and competitive exams. Additionally, he emphasizes the importance of providing placement assistance to help AMIE holders secure employment, reflecting his commitment to the professional success of all IEI members.

Financial Sustainability and Governance

Er. VB Singh aims to elevate and coordinate various vocational training initiatives in partnership with the National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC), positioning the Institution as a key player within the national skill ecosystem. His vision is to ensure IEI plays a meaningful role in advancing the Government of India's skill development objectives. Er. Singh is focused on improving the financial position of IEI by leveraging the grant of provisional recognition in Dual Category (Awarding & Assessing) to IEI by the National Council for Vocational Training (NCVET) in alignment with the National Skills Qualifications Framework (NSQF). He also plans to strengthen membership growth through strategic digital marketing and enhanced social media engagement.