The prospects of the metals industry appear bright : Dr. Sanak Mishra

Interview
12
September 2009
The prospects of the metals
industry appear bright
: Dr. Sanak Mishra
Dr. Sanak Mishra
President,
Indian Institute of Metals
The Institute provides a
forum for the meeting
of their minds and
carries out its activities
under three divisions,
namely : Ferrous, Non-
Ferrous and Metal
Sciences, through its 50
chapters spread out
across the country
Dr. Mishra, a metallurgist of international reputation,
has been elected as the President of Indian Institute
of Metals (IIM).
He is currently the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of
the India Greenfield Projects of the global giant
ArcelorMittal, the largest producer of steel in the
world. Prior to that, he was Member of the Board of
Directors of Steel Authority of India Limited (SAIL)
and Managing Director of the Rourkela Steel Plant.
In 1980, he was awarded the prestigious Alexander
von Humboldt International Fellowship from
Germany, till then rarely given to persons engaged in
industry.
For his outstanding contributions to science,
technology and industry, Dr. Mishra has received
several awards, such as the National Metallurgist
Award from the Ministry of Steel in 2003 and the
National Metallurgists' Day Award in 1988 and many
more.
He is fellow of several professional bodies, like the
Indian National Academy of Engineering, National
Academy of Sciences, Indian Institute of Metals,
Computer Society of India, Institute of Directors, All
India Management Association, etc.
Dr. Sanak Mishra was conferred the Honorary
Membership of the Indian Institute of Metals in 2005.
Here is in-depth conversation with Dr. Sanak Mishra
Q) What were the main objectives for forming the
IIM
Dr. S. Mishra : Established in 1947, The Indian Institute of
Metals [IIM], headquartered at Kolkata, is a premier
professional organization of metallurgists and materials
scientists engaged in industry, R&D and academia.
The Institute provides a forum for the meeting of their
minds and carries out its activities under three divisions,
namely : Ferrous, Non-Ferrous and Metal Sciences,
through its 50 chapters spread out across the country.
It has about 10,000 members, most of whom have
engineering degrees and many have advanced degrees in
metallurgical engineering like MS and PhD.
Q) Being the new President of IIM, what are priorities
that you have set
Dr. S. Mishra : Based on the wide consultations that I had

with a large number of IIM Members, I have bracketed my
priorities under 4 themes. The first priority is to enlarge
the visibility and presence of IIM in the international
metallurgical community through more intense interactions
with corresponding societies (we already have MoUs with
16 of them).
The second priority is to substantially enhance industry
and government engagement in IIM plans and activities by
bringing metallurgical industry and manufacturing industry
together and through Professional Committees of IIM,
linking with Govt. agencies i.e. - TIFAC, Railways,
Defence, DST, DSIR, Ministry of Mines, Steel, etc.
The next priority is to establish meaningful dialogue with
government, universities and industry for adding more
value and attraction to the study and the teaching of
metallurgy by helping to develop more exciting curricula in
Metallurgy and by taking initiative for establishing
industry- sponsored Chairs for teachers of Metallurgy.
The another priority is to ensure increased participation of
students in IIM programs by encouraging them to take up
student projects in major R&D institutions and in industry
and by facilitating them to make presentations at IIM
events, such as ATM.
Q) What are the major activities being conducted by
IIM
Dr. S. Mishra : On 14 November every year, IIM and the
Ministry of Steel, Govt. of India jointly celebrate the
'National Metallurgists Day' [NMD], and in their endeavor
for meaningful and useful integration, recognize and honor
dedicated scientists, researchers, professionals, teachers
and students for their achievements.
This year, the composite mega event comprising the 47th
National Metallurgists' Day [NMD], the 63rd. Annual
Technical Meeting [ATM] of the Institute, International
Symposium, and International Exposition on 'Metals,
Minerals and Manufacturing'; will be held at Science City
Complex in Kolkata during 14-17 November 2009 with
participants and invitees from over 20 countries.
The International Symposium titled 'Emerging Challenges
for Metals & Materials' will be held on Sunday, 15
November 2009 and will feature eminent scientists,
researchers, technologists from R&D organizations,
academia and industry from USA, Canada, China, Japan,
South Korea and Europe, to deliver lectures on the latest
technological developments in Metals, Materials and
Minerals sector.
Apart from these, every year the various Chapters
organise conferences, special lectures, etc.
The IIM also conducts the AMIIM (Associate Membership)
Examination, which is recognised as a degree in
Metallurgical Engineering.
Q) Do you think India is producing enough
metallurgists for the industry
Dr. S. Mishra : On behalf of the Ministry of Steel, IIM has
conducted, in 2008, a comprehensive study which shows
that there will be a shortage of metallurgists in the steel
industry to match the projected growth of the sector. This
has to be mitigated through concerted action by both the
Government and the industry, such as promoting the study
of metallurgy with attractive scholarships, offer of better
pay packages at entry level in the industry, better career
growth opportunities in the R&D laboratories, etc.
Q) Is the IIM looking for more tie-ups with
international institutions to enhance the presence of
the institute on the world map
Dr. S. Mishra : As already mentioned, the IIM has MoUs
with 16 similar bodies in USA, China, etc., for co-operation.
For example, this year's International Symposium, which is
to be held by IIM in Kolkata on November 15, 2009, is cosponsored
by both TMS and ASM International of USA. In
2008, IIM was a co-sponsor of an international event in
New Orleans in USA, organised by TMS.
Q) How do you see prospects of the Indian Metals
industry in short term as well as long term
Dr. S. Mishra : In the short term, the metals industry in India
has shown commendable resilience through the global
economic melt-down that set in from roughly September
2008. For example, the Indian steel industry has shown
around 6 percent growth in this fiscal. The likely growth for
the full financial year is also expected to be of that order,
which under the current circumstances is very healthy. In
the long term, say till 2020, it is expected that the steel
demand growth rate may touch an average of around 8
percent. Overall, the prospects of the metals industry
appear bright.
Interview
September 2009
13