You may recall that ASSE Kuwait chapter was awarded last year with "Medium Chapter of the Year Award" under Region VI. This Year our chapter has been recognized with the prestigious Chapter Star of the Year award, which is the highest recognition award for the ASSE Chapters. This is the third occasion that our chapter has been recognized with this award and apparently, this is the first International Chapter to win this honor. This award has been achieved because of all the members constant support, cooperation and active involvement in all the activities of the chapter.
Indeed, it is great news for all of us. We are sure that this Award and honor will further boost up the morale of our members and will further enhance our energy level and help us in focusing our strength to carry out the activities with more vigor and passion.
This Award was presented during the Annual Professional Development Conference held at Baltimore, USA on 14th June 2010 on a special Chapter Recognition ceremony. The award was received from Terrie S. Norris, Vice President, ASSE, HQ by the visiting ASSE Kuwait chapter delegates Mr. G. Sampath Reddy and Mr. V. Ashok Kumar.
On behalf of ASSE-Kuwait chapter we convey our sincere thanks to all the members and well-wishers of ASSE-KC for their support and cooperation provided in achieving this big honor to the chapter. Hope ASSE-KC will come up with many more flying colors in the years to come and pioneering in fulfilling the objective of Protecting People, Property and the Environment as a whole.
Mr. Ujwal Ritwik, founding member of ASSE-Kuwait Chapter and a renowned expert in the Health, Safety and Environment (HSE) field in the region has been selected once again to receive the Institute of Professional Environmental Practice(IPEP) Annual Award '2010 IPEP Annual Award for Professional Development and Mentoring'. This is the second occasion that Mr. Ritwik is receiving the IPEP Award under different Category. Touted as the “Environment Oscars”, these awards recognize exceptional contributions to the environmental profession or to society at large.
Mr. Ujwal Ritwik, a chemical and environmental engineer, has been active in the field of HSE for more than thirty years. He has worked for several hydrocarbon companies, addressed in international seminars and conferences and his technical papers had extensively been published in journals of international repute. He has been instrumental in bringing about a paradigm shift in the functioning of health, safety and environment in the region.
Nominations for this award are evaluated by a committee appointed by the executive committee of the Board of Trustees. This award will be presented to Mr. Ritwik soon at the award ceremony to be announced. During the recent “Recognition Program” of ASSE-KC held on 25th June 2010 at Hotel Radisson SAS, Mr. Fadhel Al Ali, Chairman of ASSE-Kuwait chapter congratulated Mr. Ujwal Ritwik for achieving this Award and applauded him for his continued support in the Chapter’s growth.
During the ASSE Annual Professional Development Conference (Safety 2010) proceedings at Baltimore, USA on 13th June 2010, Mr Ashok Garlapati has been recognized with Region VI SPY Award 2010 by Mr Jim Morris, Regional Vice President, Region VI ASSE.
The candidates for this Award are judged by the scope, depth, quality and impact of their efforts in the Safety Profession. Also the judging panel considers how an individual is contributing to the Company, to the ASSE in meeting its strategic objectives and in promoting HSE in the Community.
Outstanding safety and health professionals are the driving force behind the 99-year-old American Society of Safety Engineers (ASSE). In addition to working to prevent injuries and illnesses at work, members volunteer their time and resources throughout the year to protect people, property and the environment. The Society is divided into eight Regions and ASSE- Kuwait Chapter falls under Region VI. This region consists of 15 Chapters within USA and one international Chapter ie Kuwait Chapter. As per the Society Operating guidelines, each Region recognizes the one active member every year with Safety Professional of the Year (SPY) Award. ASSE- Kuwait Chapter is proud to announce that Ashok Garlapati, Advisory Committee Member of the Kuwait Chapter, has recognized with the 2010 Region VI Safety Professional of the Year (SPY) award.
Ashok has over 22 years of Health, Safety and Environmental management experience in the oil and gas industry. Ashok holds the HSE certifications viz. CSP, QEP and CMIOSH from Institute of Occupational Safety and Health, UK. He mentored many of ASSE members in improving their professional qualifications and also conducted OSHA outreach training programs.
Currently, Ashok serves as a leader of the ASSE International Practice Specialty and member of ASSE Diversity Committee. He is an active Advisory Member and past President of the Kuwait Chapter and currently works as the A/Sr. Health, Safety and Environmental Specialist (HS&E) for the HSE (E&PD) Team of E&PD Directorate of Kuwait Oil Company. He was also instrumental in implementing several initiatives in the Company’s E&PD Directorate, which have helped in improving the HSE performance.
The Kuwait Chapter is one of ASSE’s newest chapters, receiving its charter on June 9, 2002. As the largest international chapter, Kuwait is constantly organizing events, such as conferences, technical meetings and training programs, and has been recognized as one of the most active professional organizations in the state. The Kuwait Chapter has been recognized twice as the Regional Chapter of the Year, as Society Chapter of the Year for 2007-2008, and has continued to be a top supporter of ASSE’s mission to protect people, property and the environment.
Ashok participated in the ASSE Global Taskforce and played a key role in facilitating ASSE in the globalization process and introduction of international membership fee structure based on the World Bank Criteria. Ashok was instrumental in collaboration of Kuwait Chapter and ASSE Region VI and the success of this collaboration is adopted by other ASSE Regions and international Chapters.
In addition to being an active participant in the Kuwait Chapter’s many activities, Ashok has been instrumental in helping the North American Occupational Safety and Health (NAOSH) Week poster contest for children ages 5-14 become an international event. For the 2010 poster contest, the Kuwait Chapter had over 300 poster entries, eight posters won the awards and two of which won first place prizes in their respective age categories.
Vice president James Morris of ASSE Region VI commented, “Ashok has made a positive difference by helping his chapter, region and ASSE become stronger. He deserves this honor and I am proud, as a friend and colleague, that he has received this award.”
In 109th ASSE-KC Executive Meeting held on 22nd June 2010 at Hilton Hotel, on behalf of Executive Committee, Mr Mohd Mohiuddeen, Secretary of ASSE –Kuwait Chapter congratulated Mr Ashok for achieving this Award and applauded him for his continued support in the Chapter’s growth.
ASSE-Kuwait chapter has been recognized with prestigious Award of "Society’s Medium Chapter of the Year" from ASSE Head Quarters.
People with Goals, succeed because they know where they are going. Everyone in Kuwait may recall that, Last year ASSE Kuwait chapter was awarded with "Chapter Star of the Year Award" under Region VI. Now ASSE-Kuwait Chapter moved one step ahead. This year's recognition of "Society's Medium Chapter of the Year Award" is at ASSE Head Quarters Level, which is much more precious and respectful. Obviously, this is the first Chapter headquartered outside of the United States to win this honor.
Selection of ASSE-Kuwait Chapter for this prestigious award was due to its active involvement in contributing towards meeting its objectives in protecting People, Property and the Environment. Some of the major contributions are: Working on intersociety relationships by meeting with the Euro Arab Environmental Society and with Kuwait Society of Occupational Medicine, with whom Kuwait Chapter conducted a training program on Hearing Conservation and Noise Control Engineering; participation of ASSE-KC in North American Occupational Safety and Health (NAOSH) Week activities, where hundreds of school children of Kuwait participated in ASSE’s annual kids’ "Safety-on-the-Job" poster contest; Organizing of events such as World Environment Day, Environment Awareness Programs for school children; Outreach activities, Earth Day and Ozone day etc.
This award was received by Mr. Ashok Garlapati (President of ASSE-KC for 2007-08), Mohammad K S Mohiuddeen (Secretary of ASSE-KC for 2009-10), Ujwal Ritwik, Advisory Committee member and Uppara G. SAIBABA (Delegate of ASSE-KC) on 29.06.2009 during their recent visit to ASSE’s Professional Development Conference held at San Antonio, USA.
Indeed, it is a great news to all the members of ASSE-Kuwait Chapter and citizen of Kuwait. Executive committee of ASSE-KC feels that this Award and honor will further boost up the morale of its members and enhance its energy level in carrying out its activities with more vigor and passion.
Executive committee of ASSE-Kuwait chapter would like to convey it’s sincere thanks to all the members and well wishers of ASSE-KC for their support and cooperation provided in achieving this big honor to the chapter.
Hope ASSE- Kuwait chapter will come up with many more flying colors in the years to come and keep the ball rolling in fulfilling the objective of Protecting People, Property and the Environment as a whole. People forget how fast you did a job, but they remember how well you did it.
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| Mr. Ashok Garlapati (right) receiving award from Mr. Warren Brown, President, ASSE. |
Within a short span of establishing ASSE- Kuwait Chapter in the year 2000, it has become one of the largest Chapter outside USA with more than 600 members. Ashok Garlapati played a key role in achieving this status for the Kuwait Chapter. He has served the Chapter at many positions and participated in the Global Taskforce of ASSE-USA, which has worked for the benefit of international ASSE members. ASSE-USA had recognized his voluntary efforts with the President Award for the year 2009.
In the official communication from ASSE USA, Mr. Warren Brown , President, quoted that “ It’s my pleasure to have selected Mr Ashok to receive ASSE’s 2008-2009 President’s Award. I am honored to be able to recognize his significant service to our Society. This is a chance for us to commend for his accomplishments. We also thank him for the many years of service that he had provided to ASSE and the safety profession.”
The award was presented to him during the ceremony on Sunday, June 28, 2009 at House of Delegates meeting prior to the Professional Development Conference in San Antonio, TX, USA.
Mr. Ashok Garlapati academic qualifications are BE, MBA and PGD IPM. He is holding HSE Certifications of CSP, QEP and G-IOSH. He is also the Lead Auditor of the ISO14001 and OHSAS 18001 Standards. He has about 20 years of experience in HSE consultancy, implementation and management in the oil and gas industries. He is an OSHA authorized General Industry & Construction Outreach Trainer for 10 & 30 hrs. Mr. Ashok Garlapati is a Professional Member of ASSE and a former President of ASSE-Kuwait Chapter. He is presently serving ASSE-International Practice Specialty as an A/Administrator and also the member of ASSE-KC Advisory Committee. He is presently working with Kuwait Oil Company in Exploration & Production Development Directorate as Sr. HSE Specialist (E&PD).
ASSE Kuwait chapter takes this opportunity in congratulating Mr. Ashok for this achievement. He deserves this recognition for his sincere and dedicated service to the Society from inception. ASSE Kuwait chapter wishes him with much more honors in future.
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We are happy and proud to announce that ASSE-Kuwait chapter has been recognized with an Award of “Society’s Medium Chapter of the Year” from ASSE Head Quarters.
You also may recall the Recognition Award that we received last year which is"Chapter Star of the Year Award" under Region VI. Now we moved one step ahead. This year's recognition of "Society's Medium Chapter of the Year Award" is at ASSE Head Quarters Level, which is much more precious and respectful. Obviously, this is the first Chapter headquartered outside of the United States to win this honor. It is because of your constant support, cooperation and active involvement in all the activities of the chapter.
On behalf of ASSE-Kuwait chapter we convey our sincere thanks to all the members and well wishers of ASSE-KC for their support and cooperation provided in achieving this big honor to the chapter.
Indeed, it is a great news to all of us. As proud member of the chapter, I am sure that this Award and honor will further boost up the morale of our members. There is no doubt that this will enhance our energy level and help us in focusing our strength to carry out the activities with more vigor and passion.
Hope ASSE-KC will come up with many more flying colors in the years to come and pioneering in fulfilling the objective of Protecting People, Property and the Environment as a whole.
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| Ashok Garlapati |
Mr. Ashok Garlapati is selected for ASSE’s 2008-2009 President’s Award.
In the official communication from ASSE HQ’s, Mr. Warren Brown , President, ASSE quoted that “ It’s my pleasure to have selected you to receive ASSE’s 2008-2009 President’s Award. I am honored to be able to recognize your significant service to our Society. This is a chance for us to commend you for your accomplishments. We also thank you for the many years of service you have provided to ASSE and the safety profession. ”
The award will be presented to him during the House of Delegates meeting prior to the Professional Development Conference in San Antonio, TX. The ceremony will be held Sunday, June 28 at 12:00 p.m. during the House of Delegates meeting at the Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center in room 217 C/D.
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Mr. Vidyala Ravi, one of the active and senior members of our Chapter left Kuwait for better prospects. In recognition of his commendable services to the society Mr. Vidyala was honoured with a special plaque for his sincere contribution towards the chapter activities since 2003, He played an active role in organizing the 2002,2004,2007 & 2009 conferences and two years in the executive committee.
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Ujwal Ritwik, the well known expert in the field of occupational safety, health and environment has received the prestigious Safety Professional of the Year (SPY) 2009 award from Region IV of the American Society of Safety Engineers, Chicago, USA. In a glittering function held at Al Hashmi convention center at Radisson SAS hotel on 17th March 2009 at Radisson SAS Hotel, Mr. Hussain Ismail, Chairman and Managing Director of Kuwait Petroleum International and Mr. Chris Patton, the President of American Society of Safety Engineers presented the award to Mr. Ritwik. Ujwal Ritwik is engaged in the professional since the past 32 years, environmental management and process safety management are some of the areas he is especially know for.
As the Senior Specialist in HSE Mr. Ritwik is the highest credentialed professional in Kuwait Petroleum Corporation in the field as per their recently introduced Technical Professional Ladder credentialing program. He has won several awards within and outside his company. More recently,in 2007, he won Institute of Professional Environmental Practice (IPEP) Annual Award for International Collaboration and Cooperation in the field of environment. Since the past 20 years Mr. Ritwik works for Kuwait Petroleum Company; his supportive role in keeping the refinery fire station manned, during the Iraqi occupation in 1990, is vividly remembered by his superiors and colleagues.
While presenting the highest award of the region Chris Patton read the citation – “On behalf of me, Awards and Honors Chairperson Mary Winkler, and the nearly 3,000 members of Region VI, it is my pleasure to recognize Mr. Ujwal Ritwik as the Safety Professional of the Year. As you know, Kuwait is a new addition to the Region VI family; however, in the short time since they have been a part of this Region, the Chapter has made its mark. Ujwal Ritwik has been a big part of that success. As one of the founding members of the Chapter, it’s first President, and the organizer of numerous Chapter Conferences, his leadership has helped to take this entity from good to great. In the professional community, Ujwal’s experience and knowledge are a resource from which many other professionals seek information and advice. As the Regional Vice President that gets to work with your Chapter, I consider it an honor and privilege to be associated with groups such as yours and professionals such as Ujwal. Please accept my heartfelt gratitude for the work that you do in protecting people, property, and the environment”.
Mr. Hussain Ismail too spoke highly of the contributions of Ujwal Ritwik to the company and Kuwait. He recounted the time he worked with Ritwik while at KNPC and how impressed he has been with Ritwik’s performance both at work and as a volunteer outside the work. Ritwik’s work to develop the local young professionals and strengthen local expertise have been specially highlighted. Ritwik, has contributed significantly to the establishment of environment management system in his company and Kuwait as such. His work, both in the Middle East and overseas, has involved projects ranging from building process safety capabilities in high hazard industry and environmental studies.
Lauding Ritwik’s role as a change agent Mr. Tareq Al-Aslawi, President of the Kuwait Chapter of ASSE, congratulated him for the achievement. Mr Tariq said “He is the most well deserved recipient of this award. Such dedicated and hardworking people are rare; development of young engineers is always in his mind. He has made all of us in Kuwait proud. He is the founder president of the Kuwait chapter of American Society of Safety Engineers and has also presided five International conferences on HSE in Kuwait”.
While receiving the SPY award Mr. Ritwik thanked all his fellow workers and dedicated the award to ‘all those faceless and unknown HSE engineers who keep working day and night to protect people, property and environment’. A 300 strong gathering attending the award function gave a standing ovation to Mr. Ritwik. ASSE Kuwait chapter congratulates Mr. Ritwik, for achieving this award and wishes him with more such honor in future.