Leadership

A Leader’s Journey

Dr. Banthia founded and leads IC-IMPACTS, the only Canada-India Research Centre of Excellence. As Scientific Director and CEO, he has:

Overseen 100+ international research projects
Partnered with 50+ universities and 160 companies
Supported 1,000+ PhD students
Focused on clean water, sustainable infrastructure, and public health
Secured funding from both the Canadian and Indian

University Killam Professor – UBC’s highest academic title (2023)
Distinguished University Scholar (2003)
Canada Research Chair in Infrastructure Rehabilitation (2006)
Chair/member of 25+ UBC faculty committees, including:
- Faculty Search Committees
- Awards & Merit Committees
- Strategic India Advisory Panels
- Senate Curriculum & Admissions
Director, Office of International Initiatives, UBC Faculty of Applied Science (2008–2014)

Jacob Biely Prize (UBC’s highest research award, 2021)
Community Award – BC Achievement Foundation (2024)
Drishti Leadership in Science and Technology Award
Global Citizenship Award – alumniUBC
Fellow of 6 elite academies, including:
- Royal Society of Canada
- Canadian Academy of Engineering
- Indian National Academy of Engineering

International Leadership

Dr. Nemkumar (Nemy) Banthia is widely regarded as a global leader in civil engineering and infrastructure innovation. His deep expertise, combined with decades of international engagement, has positioned him at the forefront of collaborative research, sustainable development, and technology transfer across continents

Leadership in Global Professional Societies

Dr. Banthia has held pivotal roles in the world’s foremost technical and scientific organizations:

American Concrete Institute (ACI)

Held multiple offices including Chair of Committee 544 on Fiber Reinforced Concrete and Chair of the Task Group on Special Projects and Fundraising.

RILEM (France)

Served on key technical committees including High-Performance Fiber-Reinforced Cement Composites (HPFRCC) and FRP-Concrete Interfaces.

International Institute for FRP in Construction (IIFC)

Served as Council Member and Treasurer, and chaired technical subcommittees on durability.

Canadian Society for Civil Engineering (CSCE)

Chaired the Materials Division and Technical Sub-Committee on Advanced Composite Materials.

International Society for Structural Health Monitoring of Intelligent Infrastructure (ISHMII)

Active council member since 2006.

CSA Canadian Highway Bridge Design Code

Technical subcommittee member on Advanced Composite Materials since 1992.

Global Committee & Review Leadership

Dr. Banthia has led or participated in over 60 international scientific committees, overseeing major initiatives related to concrete technology, structural health monitoring, sustainable infrastructure, and advanced materials. Notable leadership includes:

Chair, Research Management Committee – IC-IMPACTS, Canada–India Research Centre of Excellence

Chair, NSERC-OCE TargetGHG Project Selection Committee

Chair, Site Visit Committees for NSERC Industrial Research Chair proposals

Member, International Advisory Panels and Research Grant Review Boards in:

International Conferences & Symposiums

Dr. Banthia has played a vital role in organizing, steering, and leading over 100 high-impact global conferences and symposia, including:

Chair

PROTECT, CONSEC, BEFIB, and ConMat conference series

Co-Chair

International events on structural health, fiber composites, and sustainable development in Asia, Europe, and North America

Advisor and Keynote Speaker

Across 30+ countries, including Japan, Germany, India, Singapore, the UK, and Brazil

Global Recognition & Service

Dr. Banthia’s strategic leadership is sought by institutions worldwide, where he has served as:

Chair of Academic Review Panels

IIT Delhi, Seoul National University, and City University of Hong Kong

Editer-In-Chief of leading Journal

Cement and Concrete composite [impact factor: 13.1] and on Editorial board of other leading journals

Mentor and Evaluator

For national programs on green materials, AI in infrastructure, and self-healing roads

Leadership

A Leader’s Journey

Founder & CEO –
IC-IMPACTS

Academic Leadership at UBC

Leadership Recognition

International Leadership