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 Jun: "Enhancing Director and Board Contributions, Recognising and Addressing Development Requirements," was authored by Professor Colin Coulson-Thomas (UK) and published in Director Today, Vol. XII Issue VI, Jun, pp 11-17.
2026 Jun: Theme Paper for the 36th Directors' Conclave, "Making Boards Effective for Investor Confidence & Sustainable Value Creation," by Professor Colin Coulson-Thomas (UK).
2026 May: Ms. Veena Swarup (India) is the Workshop Mentor for the 10th Online Workshop for Women Professionals -- UNNATI "Tapping Your Own Potential: Enriching and Empowering Within." This National HRD Network event was successfully held on May 22, with over 110 participants from corporates, PSUs, academia, and the entrepreneurial community, representing diverse professional backgrounds.
2026 May: Professor P.B. Sharma (India) shared his expert views in three papers published by Horizons, Issue No. 2, May 2026. “Silicon with a Soul-Building Conscience for AI,” co-authored with Mr. Aadeesh Sharma, pp 14-15. “Supply Chain Management in the Age of AI and Sustainability,” co-authored with Ms. Aishwarya Sharma, pp 16-18. “National Technology Day 2026: ‘W-AHEAD Celebrates India’s Giant Leap Forward in Science and Technology’,” pp 46-48.
2026 May: “The Economics of Education: Investing in Human Capital in the Age of AI,” authored by Professor P.B. Sharma (India) and Mr. Sandeep Singh, was featured in Ten News India. The authors contend that to thrive in a knowledge-driven global economy powered by AI and hyper-connectivity, education can no longer be treated as a mere investment to be managed.
2026 May: "Navigating Contemporary Geopolitical Challenges, Leadership Strategies for Resisting Pressure and Retaining Autonomy," was authored by Professor Colin Coulson-Thomas (UK) and published in Director Today, Vol. XII Issue V, May, pp 13-19.
2026 May: Professor Colin Coulson-Thomas (UK) shared his thoughts on "AI Risk Management, GRC Integration and Regulatory Readiness" at the Global Artificial Intelligence Day 2026, organized by Copenhagen Compliance.
2026 Apr: Theme Paper for the 27th International Conference on Environment Management and Climate Change, "Board Strategy for Securing the Future: Risk and Resilience in Nature and Climate Governance," by Professor Colin Coulson-Thomas (UK).
2026 Apr: “Empowering AI with Integrity and a Humane Heart,” an article authored by Professor P.B. Sharma (India) and Mr. Aadeesh Sharma, was featured in Ten News India. It detailed how the AI revolution has transitioned from a period of experimental software tools into a definitive era of industrial and cognitive consolidation.
2026 Apr: "Confronting Social, Environmental and Technological Irresponsibility, Initiating Greater Stakeholder and Collective Responsibility," was authored by Professor Colin Coulson-Thomas (UK) and published in Director Today, Vol. XII Issue IV, Apr, pp 101-105.
2026 Mar: Adding to his list of public service, Professor Colin Coulson-Thomas (UK), has accepted an invitation to join the advisory board of Ukumbi Afrika, a new quarterly publication of the African Business Roundtable.
2026 Mar: In his article, "Rethinking Expectations of Professionals,” Professor Colin Coulson-Thomas (UK) discussed the implications of contemporary contextual challenges for the professions and professionals. Spring issue of Management Services. Vol. 70 No. 1, Spring, pp 42-47.
2026 Mar: "Responsible boards take steps to tackle obstacles and barriers facing under-represented groups," noted Professor Colin Coulson-Thomas (UK) in his Director Today March article. "Women Directors, Changing Contexts and Board Diversity, Reviewing Boardroom and Business Requirements for a New Era," Director Today, Vol. XII Issue III, Mar, pp 13-19.
2026 Feb: An article by Professor Colin Coulson-Thomas (UK) is included in the February issue of Director Today, Vol. XII Issue II, Feb, pp 43-49, "Rethinking Expectations of Company Directors, Coping with Changing Contexts and Pressures." The article suggested that directors and contemporary leaders face unprecedented, interconnected, and rapidly accelerating uncertainty — driven by global risks, technological disruption, regulatory burdens, and societal fragmentation — which challenge traditional models of accountability, governance, resilience, and sustainable leadership.
2026 Jan: Ms. Veena Swarup (India) was Conference Chair at the 2nd NMA Women Development Conference, “From Pipeline Leadership Position to Accelerate Action.” The Conference was held in Noida, India, on January 20.
Souvenir Book: "Message from Conference Chair" – Ms. Veena Swarup, pp 3. "From Pipeline to Leadership Position – Leadership is an Ongoing Process of Learning" -- Ms. Anita Y. Tang (Singapore), pp 9-12.
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 Mr. 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."
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.
