Mr. Ashraya KC, student of Department of Mechanical Engineering, KU was presented with Prof. Suman Shrestha Materials Award for achieving highest grade in Materials Science course with exceptional academic performance.

In an award handover program organized at the Department of Mechanical Engineering, Prof. Daniel Tuladhar (HoD) handed the award to Mr. Ashraya KC in the virtual presence of Prof. Shrestha, and in the presence of Asst. Prof. Surendra Sujakhu.

“I feel deeply honoured and humbled to be a part of this program today. I would also like to express my commitment for the award for the upcoming years to inspire future generations in material science”, Prof. Shrestha said.

About the Award

Prof. Suman Shrestha Materials Award was established in 2022, during the MechTalk session organized by AMES at Kathmandu University. This year, NRs. 25,000 was awarded to the best performing student in Material Science and Metallurgy in an effort to foster the growth and development of materials science and engineering in Nepal.

About Prof. Suman Shrestha

Prof. Shrestha is VP of Applications Engineering at Keronite Ltd (part of Curtiss-Wright). He is a Visiting Professor at the University of Leeds, Industrial Advisory Board member for the University of Leeds and Manchester Metropolitan University and is also on the Editorial Board of ‘Surface Engineering’ and ‘Tribology-Materials, Surfaces & Interfaces’ Journals. He is a Chartered Engineer; Chartered Scientist; Fellow, IoM3 and Fellow, IMechE. Shrestha was also the recipient of Nepal’s highest educational decoration ‘Order of the Mahendra Vidyabhushan Medal’ from His late Majesty King Birendra in 1996 and 2001.

He is the inventor of several coating processes, author of a book chapter, over 65 peer reviewed journal / conference publications and over 250 confidential industry reports on materials and technologies. He has been working in the capacity of Organiser, Chair and Scientific Committee member for over a dozen international conferences. He has led projects and developed advanced coating solutions for numerous ESA and NASA’s space missions.