Fellows' Corner
Fellows of WAPS are actively involved in the global productivity arena
Fellows of WAPS are actively involved in the global productivity arena. Here are some of our Fellows' recent works.
2026 Jan: An article by Professor Colin Coulson-Thomas (UK) is included in the January issue of Director Today, Vol. XII Issue I, Jan, pp 73-79, "Global Corporate Governance in an Uncertain and Insecure World," in which he emphasized the necessity for key decision makers to recognize realities and provide future strategic direction.
2026 Jan: Ms. Veena Swarup (India) was the Program Mentor for the WEAVE 3.0 program organized by the Textile Sector Skill Council. This marks the third installment of the WEAVE (Women Entrepreneurs Acceleration for Value Enhancement) series. A total of sixty aspiring women entrepreneurs took part in this nationwide workshop, which took place at IMS Noida, commencing on January 7 and concluding successfully on January 8.
2026 Jan: Theme Paper for the 20th International Conference on Corporate Social Responsibility, "Making CSR Work: Integrating ESG into Board Strategy and Governance," by Professor Colin Coulson-Thomas (UK).
2025 Dec: ”Supply Chain Management in the Age of AI and Sustainability," an article authored by Professor P.B. Sharma (India) and Aishwarya Sharma, was featured in Ten News India.
2025 Dec: "The Future of Molecular and Nano Medicine: A Vision of Targeted Drug Delivery Using Advanced Homeopathy and Ayurveda," an article authored by Professor P.B. Sharma (India), Dr. Anu Rani, and Dr. Astha Sharma, was featured in Ten News India.
2025 Dec: Professor Colin Coulson-Thomas' (UK) article, “Sustainability Leadership for Climate Change and the Environment,” appears in Effective Executive, Vol. 28 Issue 4, October-December, pp 5-36.
2025 Dec: Professor Colin Coulson-Thomas (UK) shared thoughts on "Cyber Security, Risks, Challenges and Threats," cover story in the Winter issue of Management Services. Vol. 69 No. 4, Winter, pp 34-40.
2025 Dec: Professor Colin Coulson-Thomas (UK) offered directors and other leaders advice on how to increase one's beneficial governance and sustainability impact in the featured article, December issue, Director Today, Vol. XI Issue XII, Dec pp 21-27. "Achieving Beneficial Governance and Sustainability Impact, Do’s and Don'ts for enhancing directorial contributions."
2025 Dec: Ms. Veena Swarup (India) is the Workshop Mentor for "Udaan -- Preparing Women for Corporate Boards," a National HRD Network event held at the Meridien New Delhi on December 9-10. The workshop, second in the series, has proven to be a transformative journey for 26 accomplished women, enhancing their readiness for boardroom leadership and excellence. Roundups for Day One and Day Two.
2025 Dec: "Innovations for Creative and Sustainable Development," an article authored by Professor P.B. Sharma (India), was featured in Ten News India. Today, "innovation" appears to have become synonymous with "disruption." Professor Sharma, however, pointed out that "True innovation, the kind that serves humanity and the planet, is not inherently destructive; its real value lies in its power of creativity and sustainable development."
2025 Nov: An article by Professor Colin Coulson-Thomas (UK) is included in the November issue of Director Today, Vol. XI Issue XI, Nov, pp 28-32, "Responsible Board Leadership and AI Impacts, Reconciling possible short-term gain with longer-term sustainability." This article is published ahead of the 2026 AI Impact Summit.
2025 Nov: Professor Colin Coulson-Thomas (UK) delivered a special address -- "Sustainability" -- on Nov 5 to the 2025 IOD India London Global Convention, “Boards in an Unpredictable World: Navigating Geopolitical Shifts, Climate Crises & Technological Disruptions."
2025 Oct: Dr. Hurol Mete (Turkey), senior expert with Turkiye’s Ministry of Industry and Technology, presented to the Central Asian Productivity Research Center the “Ankara Model Factory Today” at the Center’s second quarter advisory board meeting.
2025 Oct: The Institute of Management Services (IMS) held its Annual General Meeting in Manchester this month and extended Professor Colin Coulson-Thomas' (UK) term as President for another year. Professor Coulson-Thomas is the sixth President of the Institute, previous presidents having been Lord Beeching,
HRH The Duke of Edinburgh, Sir Monty Finniston, The Lord Chilver of Cranfield, and Viscount Thurso.
2025 Oct: Prof. Barnes Sookdeo (South Africa), Ms. Elysia Tse (Singapore), Mr. Peter Watkins (Canada), and Dr. Amit Gupta (India) shared at the 11th Knowledge-Sharing Forum event their insights and takeaways from the Global Summit held in India, "AI-enabled Productivity: The Building Blocks of Viksit Bharat." 11th KSF: Insights from the 2025 Global Productivity Summit in India."
2025 Oct: An article by Professor Colin Coulson-Thomas (UK) is included in the October issue of Director Today, Vol. XI Issue X, Oct, pp 35-38. "COP 30 and Sustainable Climate Resilience, Entrepreneurial Collective Responses to A Shared Global Challenge."
2025 Oct: The 17th Annual Silk Road Conference, organized by the Central Asian Productivity Research Center (CAPRC), was held on October 3, 2025, at Northern Illinois University, Naperville, Illinois. Prof. Harry Lepinske (USA) opened the Conference as Chairperson of CAPRC. Ms. Anita Tang (USA) delivered a presentation on "Belt and Road Connectivity and Economic Development Along the Silk Road."
2025 Sep: Ms. Veena Swarup (India) serves as the workshop mentor for the 9th installment of The NHRDN's one-day online Workshop for Women Professionals titled "UNNATI," which focuses on the theme "Tapping your Own Potential -- Enriching and Empowering Within," conducted on September 19, 2025. Over 80 participants attended the event.
2025 Sep: Mr. Abdul Kalam (India) delivered an Expert Talk in the Induction-cum-Orientation Programme for the newly admitted MBA (2025-2027), Department of Management, SMBS, JAMIA Hamdard, September 9-10, 2025.
2025 Sep: Professor Colin Coulson-Thomas' (UK) article, “Corporate Boards and Employee Wellness: Coping with Complexity and Overload,” appears in Effective Executive, Vol. 28 Issue 3, July-September, pp 13-41.
2025 Sep: Theme Paper for the 2025 London Global Convention on Corporate Governance and Sustainability, "Boards in an Unpredictable World: Navigating Geopolitical Shifts, Climate Crises & Technological Disruptions" by Professor Colin Coulson-Thomas (UK).
2025 Sep: An article by Professor Colin Coulson-Thomas (UK) is included in the September issue of Director Today, Vol. XI Issue IX, Sept, pp 13-17. "Directors, Boards and Cyber Security – Understanding and Preparing for Evolving Threats."
2025 Sep: Professor Colin Coulson-Thomas (UK) delivered an opening address at the BBMG Global Business Summit on Indo-UK Trade at the UK House of Lords on September 4. He noted that in this uncertain, unpredictable, and volatile global business environment, collaboration and collective responses are the key to survival.
2025 Sep: In a Management Services article, Professor Colin Coulson-Thomas (UK) shared thoughts on coping with complexity and overload, which impact productivity and performance as well as responses to global risks and existential threats. "Coping With Complexity and Overload," Management Services, Vol. 69 No. 3, Autumn, pp 37-42.
2025 Aug: Fellows of WAPS participated in the "Global Summit on Productivity in the Age of AI," August 20-21, 2025, held in New Delhi, India. Fellows who spoke at the Global Summit included: Dr. Sunil Abrol (India), Mr, Dilip Chenoy (India), Mr. Graham Hasting-Evans (UK), Mr. Abdul Kalam (India), Dr. S.A. Khader (India), Mrs. Amelia Naidoo (South Africa), Prof. Ravi Shankar (India), Prof. P.B. Sharma (India), Mr. Shivam Srivastava (India), Prof. Barnes Sookdeo (South Africa), Ms. Anita Tang (USA), Dr. Bhargavi V. R. (India), Mr. Peter Watkins (Canada), and Prof. H.R. P. Yadav (India),
2025 Aug: Professor Colin Coulson-Thomas (UK) talked about the pressures confronting contemporary directors and the people they are responsible for in the August issue of Director Today, “Boardroom Pressures and Directorial and Corporate Resilience, Addressing Performance and Wellbeing Consequences of Increasing Workloads.” Vol. XI Issue VIII, Aug, pp 15-19.
2025 Jul: Professor P.B. Sharma (India) co-authored an article with Aadeesh Sharma, “AI for Good Governance,” published on TEN News India. It discussed the making of a new India, the Bharat of India;s dreams.
2025 Jul: Ms. Veena Swarup (India) curated WEAVE's 2nd Online mentorship program, which was successfully held on July 30-31. This Textile Sector Skill Council (TSC) program brought together a dynamic community of aspiring and established women entrepreneurs, enriched by the insights and experiences of remarkable speakers and thought leaders.
2025 Jul: Prof. Colin Coulson-Thomas (UK) participated in a live interview with CNN News 18 on July 24, 2025. He emphasized that businesses are confronted with a significant array of global risks and existential threats in an unpredictable world. India holds strategic importance as the most populous nation in the world and the fastest-growing major economy. He perceives the new Indo-UK trade agreement as a highly important strategic maneuver, marking the commencement of a collaborative process that presents various opportunities for the future on a global scale.
2025 Jul: Ms. Veena Swarup (India) served as the Chairperson for the Third Global Industrial Relations Summit, titled "Shaping the Future of Work — Leveraging Industrial Relations for Growth and Sustainability," which took place on July 22-23 at FICCI in New Delhi. Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya, the Minister of Labour and Employment, delivered an inaugural address to a fully packed audience of 225 participants. Minister Mandaviya spoke about fostering a strong tripartite culture, where Government, employers, and workers co-create solutions for a just, inclusive, and future-ready workforce. He also called for an India-specific IR model to allay AI job loss fears.
2025 Jul: Professor Colin Coulson-Thomas (UK) delivered an opening speech, “Creating a Sustainable Future,” at the Africa Asia Scholars Global Network dinner and awards event, which took place at the Cholmondeley Room and Terrace, UK House of Lords, on July 18. At the event, he was honored with a Global South Leadership Award. Other recipients of the award included the Commonwealth Secretary General, the Ambassador of Honduras (who is Dean of the Diplomatic Corps in the UK), and the President of Namibia.
2025 Jul: Mr. Leon Bian (USA) moderated one of the two alumni talks at the 2025 MIT Sloan Reunion. During the panel discussion titled "From Threat to Shield: How AI is Shaping the Future of Cybersecurity," Leon emphasized that the stakes cannot be higher. With the emergence of generative AI, cyberattacks have become less expensive, simpler to execute, and more efficient.
2025 Jul: Professor Colin Coulson-Thomas' (UK) article, “Corporate Governance Evolution and Boardroom Priorities and Practices: Changing Requirements and Consequences for Contemporary Directors,” appears in the July issue of Director Today. Vol. XI Issue VII, Jul, pp 19-21.
2025 Jul: All Indian Management Association (AIMA) organized and successfully conducted the 5th edition of its specialized training program for women professionals, "Reach Where You Aspire To," on July 3rd and 4th. The program was conducted under the mentorship of Ms. Veena Swarup (India). Day 1 focused on transformative sessions, and Day 2 on professional growth.
2025 Jul: Professor Colin Coulson-Thomas (UK) contributed a Theme Paper to the 35th Annual Directors' Conclave: "Shaping Tomorrow's Boards -- The Competitive Edge."
Fellow Induction
2025 Induction Ceremony:
A Solemn Event Took Place in New Delhi, India
In 2025, WAPS honored 11 productivity champions by inducting them to the Academy as Fellows of WAPS.
They are Jiju ANTONY (U.K.), Amit GUPTA (India), Harry LEPINSKE (U.S.A.), Fariba RAWHANI (Canada), Mark SETTERFIELD (U.K.), Shivam SRIVASTAVA (India), Xinpo SUN (China), Vasanth Kumar THIMAKAPURA (India), R. VENKATESAN (India), Yuncheng XU (China), and Hariram Prasad YADAV (India).
On August 21, 2025, Thursday, an Induction Ceremony took place at the Le Meridian Hotel in New Delhi to recognize our newly appointed Regional Coordinators and new Fellows. This marked the first in-person induction ceremony since 2019.
We seized the opportunity to present a certificate to Mr. Graham Hasting-Evans, the WAPS Regional Coordinator for the U.K. and Europe (following the retirement of Prof. John Heap from that role), as well as to Prof. Barnes Sookdeo, the WAPS Regional Coordinator for Africa. Additionally, we bestowed a medal upon each of our Fellows from the years 2023, 2024, and 2025 who attended this in-person event.
This special occasion was witnessed by friends and family, and other Fellows of WAPS. It offered an excellent opportunity for us to rekindle relationships with long-time friends and to establish new connections, share our experiences regarding productivity, and lay the groundwork for future collaboration.
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2024 Induction Ceremony:
11 Fellows of WAPS were being Honored
On December 18, 2024, Wednesday, a Zoom Induction Ceremony was held to welcome 11 accomplished productivity champions to the Academy.
They are Deodass APPALSWAMY (Mauritius), S.G. DESHMUKH (India), K. GOPALAKRISHNAN (India), Philip GREEN (Canada), LU Jinshu (China), Amelia NAIDOO (South Africa), Zoe RADNOR (U.K.), Ravi SHANKAR (India), BV SUDHARSHAN (India), Rajesh VARMA (France), and Shalini URS (India).
2023 Induction Ceremony:
13 Fellows of WAPS were being Honored
On April 5, 2024, Friday, a Zoom Induction Ceremony was held to welcome 13 accomplished productivity champions to the Academy.
They are Leon BIAN (U.S.A.), Yavuz CABBAR (Turkey), Remi DAIRO (Nigeria / U.S.A.), Patrik GRZNAR (Slovakia), Mika MALIRANTA (Finland), Aldo MANOS (Italy), Mevlut-Hurol METE (Turkey), Shree Namasivayama REGURAJ (India), Alex RODOV (Canada), Harvey SCHIPPER (Canada), Bhola SINGH (India), Elysia TSE (Singapore), and Carolyn WATTERS (Canada).
Photo Gallery
Fellows of WAPS are sharing their very memorable induction moments. Send your induction photos to the Secretariat so that we can include them here.
