A civil engineer who has played an influential role, both in FIDIC and across the international consulting engineering industry over many years, Kiran Kapila, has been awarded the prestigious Louis Prangey Award, the highest recognition for outstanding service to FIDIC and the global consulting engineering industry. Kapila received the accolade during the 2025 FIDIC Global Infrastructure Awards Gala Dinner held in Cape Town, South Africa, on 23 September 2025.
The Prangey Award, the highest recognition for dedicated service to FIDIC, was named after the founding FIDIC president, Louis Prangey and was established to be presented to a person who has rendered significant service to FIDIC and/or to the profession of independent consulting engineering and who exemplifies the objectives of FIDIC. The recipient is considered to be a role model for the consulting engineering industry and is endorsed by both the FIDIC board and the past presidents council, in accordance with the FIDIC statutes and bylaws.
The 600-plus strong audience of industry professionals present at the event heard that Kapila’s leadership, achievements, contribution to his company and the industry across India, South Asia and Africa have been truly significant and greatly enhanced the reputation of FIDIC. He is a fellow of the Institution of Engineers of India, a fellow of the American Society of Civil Engineers and has been associated with CEAI, the Consulting Engineers Association of India, for almost three decades and has been on its governing council member in all that time, including serving as CEAI president from 2007 to 2010.
Kapila was also founding member of the Corporate and Institutional Integrity Africa Committee and served as co-chair of the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry, which focuses on urban development to enhance the socio-economic growth of India, for almost eight years. He was also the first non-European chairman of the International Road Federation and served for nine years from 2010 to 2019.
Vital work on road safety initiatives
He also holds an Advisory status with UNESCOS, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, and serves on road safety initiatives with the UN. Kapila has been working to reduce road accidents and fatalities by 50% before the end of 2030 and his work in this area led to a Landmark Resolution No. A/64/255 by the United Nations in 2010 and he continues to work in this area.
Presenting the award, FIDIC president Catherine Karakatsanis said: “Our winner has an impressive track record of volunteer activities for FIDIC and other organisations and he has made a significant difference to the industry, to his profession and to the world in which we all work. A role model, inspiration and true friend to FIDIC across many decades, Kiran’s work has been instrumental, enhancing the reputation of the FIDIC across the global construction and infrastructure sector.”
As he received the award, Kiran Kapila was characteristically modest and humble, reflecting on his work in trying to reduce road accidents and fatalities by 50% before the end of 2030, he said that he had made this his life’s mission to make a difference to people’s lives and to prevent people dying unnecessarily. “Receiving this award is a great honour and am delighted to accept it and am very grateful to have been chosen by FIDIC to receive such a prestigious recognition,” Kapila said.
Picture above shows Kiran Kapila receiving the Prangey Award from outgoing FIDIC president Catherine Karakatsanis.
