Eleventh Edition of Dr K C G Verghese Endowment Lecture
“Future of Aerospace”
Dr. K.C.G. VERGHESE
Founder Chairman
1940 - 2006 on Wednesday, 4th December 2024 at 7.00 pm at MMA Management Center, Chennai by will preside
Mr Nikhil K Rao
Director & Chief Engineer
Boeing Engineering India - Chennai
Dr Anand Jacob Verghese
Chairman, Hindustan Group of Institutions
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Instituted by the Hindustan Group of Institutions
Dr. KCG. VERGHESE
Dr. K.C.G. Verghese, a visionary and a man of action, was born on 20th June, 1940 in a small village in central Kerala. His life is the story of a man from a rural background whose far reaching vision, boundless energy and undying enthusiasm catapulted him to the pinnacle of business success.
After completing his early education in Kerala, he graduated in Mechanical Engineering and after intense training in Aviation Engineering at Cranfield University; UK, he obtained his Ph.D from U.S. He established Hindustan Engineering Training Centre in 1966 with the approval of the Government of Tamil Nadu to impart vocational training. He established Hindustan Institute of Engineering Technology, a polytechnic college fully realizing the need to educate the masses for gainful employment. Later he went on establishing Institutions of higher education in Engineering & Technology, Aviation, Arts & Science, Management, etc.
Dr. K.C.G. Verghese belonged to that rare breed of individuals whose commitment to societal progress and advancement, created a vision for the future of Engineering and Technical Education in this country. He succeeded in persuading Dr M.G.Ramachandran, then Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, to privatize Professional Education in the State. The Hindustan College of Engineering was founded by Dr.K.C.G.Verghese in the year 1985 & it has been conferred the University status by the Ministry of Human Resource Development (MHRD) which is celebrating its Silver Jubilee this year.
It was his forward thinking philosophy, that paved way for the introduction of the “Open Sky Policy” in India and launched the first private airline in the country 'Air Asiatic” in 1990 – a bold and farsighted move that was futuristic and far ahead of its time. Dr. K.C.G. Verghese's exemplary vision made him a man for all seasons. His benevolent nature, dedication, hard work, conviction and commitment gave him success in all his endeavors.
He was well known for his philanthropic nature which immensely helped the weaker section and downtrodden people of the society. His motto was 'To make every man a success and no man a failure”.
He authored two books and received several awards and honors in recognition of his contributions to the growth of Industry and Higher Education sectors in the country.
He left for heavenly abode on 14th February, 2006. His legacy lives through the institutions he created and the communities he served.
07.00 pm 06.10 pm
Registration & Hi-Tea
Welcome Address
Guest of Honour
07.05 pm
Opening Remarks
07.10 pm
07.15 pm
07.45 pm
08.00 pm
08.05 pm
08.10 pm
Mr K Mahalingam
President, Madras Management Association & Partner/Director, TSM Group of Companies
Dr Mrs Elizabeth Verghese
Founder Chancellor, Hindustan Institute of Technology & Science
Mr Ashok G Verghese
Pro-Chancellor, HITS
Introduction of the Chief Guest
Dr K C G Verghese Endowment Lecture “Future of Aerospace”
Mr Nikhil K Rao
Director & Chief Engineer
Boeing Engineering India - Chennai
Closing Remarks Q & A Session
Dr S N Sridhara
Vice Chancellor, Hindustan Institute of Technology & Science
Vote of Thanks Dinner
Gp Capt R Vijayakumar (Retd), VSM
Executive Director, MMA
Distinguished Speaker
Nikhil K Rao
Mr. Nikhil K Rao is an accomplished engineering leader known for his authenticity, versatility, and a strong commitment to innovation. With a solid foundation in engineering and production, he has a proven track record of driving complex projects to completion and implementing strategic initiatives that align with Boeing’s overarching objectives. He is recognized for his advanced problem-solving abilities and an empathetic leadership style that resonates with both executive and non-executive stakeholders, external consultants, and cross-industry collaborators. An articulate communicator, Mr. Rao excels in fast-paced environments and fosters a culture of accountability and results-driven teamwork.
Mr. Rao is a certified Project Management Professional (PMP), a credential he earned in 2009, marking his expertise in project execution and management. He has also completed numerous advanced leadership programs, including the Advanced Complexity & Cynefin Master Class, Change Essentials Workshop at Kotter International, and the Advanced Industry Manufacturing Seminar (AIMS). His training extends through a range of Boeing leadership initiatives, such as the Engineering Leadership Program (ELP), Systems Engineering Leadership Program (SELP), and the Leader-shape Texas program.
A dedicated mentor, Mr. Rao invests over 200 hours annually to guide and inspire emerging talent across various initiatives, including Boeing’s Communities of Practice, Bellevue College, the Washington Aerospace Scholars, and the Muslim American Society’s Youth Academy for Leadership & Excellence, among others.
In his current role at Boeing Engineering India in Chennai, Mr. Rao is responsible for steering the center's operational and transformational objectives, enhancing engineering capabilities, and fostering diverse, inclusive teams. He champions a "Just culture" rooted in humility, inclusion, and transparency, supporting a wide range of perspectives to build a dynamic engineering environment in Chennai that aligns with Boeing’s global vision.
