Gupta Receives Golden Elephant Award from Surindra Rajabhat University, Thailand

Ashwani Gupta

In a ceremony held June 3^rd at the University of Maryland (UMD), Thailand's Surindra Rajabhat University awarded Department of Mechanical Engineering Distinguished Professor Ashwani Gupta their Golden Elephant Award in recognition of his scientific achievements and collaborative efforts with their university. The Golden Elephant, a symbol of leadership, was first awarded in 2000 to Dr. Kasem Wattanachai, Privy Councilor and Chancellor of Siam University.

Ashwani Gupta receiving the Golden Elephant Award

Gupta, who is regularly recognized for his academic and scientific contributions, was also acknowledged for his ongoing collaborative and supportive efforts with Surindra Rajabhat University. He provides his technical expertise as editor of the university's Journal of Health and Cultural Technology (HACT) and has served as both a mentor and consultant to their doctoral students and researchers. They cited Gupta as an example of how to be successful in "our global society."

In recent years, Gupta received the 2015 American Society for Engineering Education (ASEE) Mechanical Engineering Division Ralph Coats Roe Award and the 2014 American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) Air Breathing Propulsion Award. He has also received Honorary Doctorates from the University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, and King Mungkut University of Technology North Bangkok, Thailand, which was bestowed by the Princess of Thailand, and also Derby University, United Kingdom. He also holds Higher Doctorates (D.Sc.) from his alma mater, the University of Southampton and the University of Sheffield, United Kingdom.

He has over 35 years of experience in combustion engineering, and is the author of over 700 technical papers, three books and 12 edited books. Gupta is currently Fellow of American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME), American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA), Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE), Royal Aeronautical Society (RAeS), United Kingdom and the International Society of Energy and Environment Sustainability (ISEES).

Royal Thailand Embassy First Secretary Banarasi Koanantakul, UMD faculty and students and 18 members of Surindra Rajabhat University's faculty and upper administration, including University President Professor Achara Phanurat, were on hand for the ceremony. The event also included the 8^th Surindra Rajabhat University Journal and Publication Declaration.

At the culmination of the ceremonies, Gupta and Surindra Rajabhat University president Dr. Achara Phanurat and faculty members Dr. Amnuay Wattanakornsiri and Dr. Sorajet Woragamvijya had the opportunity to visit with UMD president, Dr. Wallace Loh.