July 26, 2011 -- Zoltán Illés, Hungary’s state secretary of environmental protection, nature conservation and water management will be made an Honorary Fellow of IChemE (Institution of Chemical Engineers) at a ceremony in London, UK this September.
Illés was first elected to parliament for the Budapest constituency in 1998. He has been responsible for several pioneering environmental and conservational projects in Hungary and played a key role in the clean-up of the red mud disaster in 2010 when a bauxite refining tailing dam burst. He has also sat on many environmental advisory panels, including for the EU.
As well as a successful parliamentary career, Illés is an associate professor of the department of environmental sciences, policy and management of the Central European University and adjunct professor at the Gödöllo University of Agricultural Sciences, both in Hungary. He is involved with various environmental, nature conservation and wildlife protection organisations.
He graduated from Budapest Technical University in 1986 with an MSc in chemical engineering. He also has a PhD in analytical chemistry.
IChemE chief executive David Brown says: “We always say that chemical engineers can be found in high places and Zoltán is another example of this. We are delighted to recognise the important contribution he has made on European environmental matters and welcome him to our global chemical engineering community.”
IChemE is the global membership organisation for chemical and process engineers with members in 120 countries. The ceremony takes place on 6 September 2011 at the Hungarian Embassy in London. The UK government’s chief scientific adviser Sir John Beddington will also be attending the event.
A limited number of free places are still available on a first-come, first-served basis. To register your interest, contact Jo Sharp.
For further media information, interviews or supporting photography, please contact:
Matt Stalker, communications manager, IChemE
tel: +44 (0)1788 534455 / +44 (0)7802 834459
email: mstalker@icheme.org
Jo Sharp, communications officer, IChemE
tel: +44 (0)1788 534433/ +44(0)7825 266815
email: jsharp@icheme.org
Trish Dwyer, communications officer, IChemE
tel:+61 (0)3 9642 4494
email: tdwyer@icheme.org
About chemical engineers
Chemical, biochemical and process engineering is the application of science, maths and economics to the process of turning raw materials into everyday products. Professional chemical engineers design, construct and manage process operations all over the world. Pharmaceuticals, food and drink, synthetic fibres and clean drinking water are just some of the products where chemical engineering plays a central role.
About IChemE
IChemE (Institution of Chemical Engineers) is the hub for chemical, biochemical and process engineering professionals worldwide. With a growing global membership of over 33,000, the Institution is at the heart of the process community, promoting competence and a commitment to best practice, advancing the discipline for the benefit of society, encouraging young people in science and engineering and supporting the professional development of its members. For more information, visit www.icheme.org
