ACerS is pleased to announce L. K. Sharma has been selected for Volunteer Spotlight, a program that recognizes a member who demonstrates outstanding service to The American Ceramic Society through volunteerism.
Sharma is chief executive officer of Mahamana Ceramic Development Organization (New Delhi, India), as well as a visiting professor at several colleges and universities in both north and south India. He currently sits on the board of two Indian universities in north and east India, respectively, and serves as an advisor for both state governments and private ceramic industries.
Sharma received his postgraduate degree in materials technology and doctorate in ceramic engineering from Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Banaras Hindu University (now IIT Varanasi). He also completed a specialized course on managerial skills for technical personnel at the National Institute of Industrial Engineering, Bombay (now Indian Institute of Management). He previously served in roles at Grindwell Norton Ltd. (plant head), Algrain Ceramique Corp. (general manager), and Central Glass & Ceramic Research Institute (chief scientist).
Sharma champions sustainable development, cluster transformation, and skill-based education in ceramics. He believes that ceramic science is as much about people and purpose as it is about products and processes.
An active ACerS member since 1991, Sharma is the founding chair of the ACerS International India Chapter. In 2023, Chapter growth allowed ACerS to approve the establishment of two separate India Chapters (Northeast and Southwest), and Sharma currently serves as chairperson of the ACerS International Northeast India Chapter.
Besides Chapter involvement, Sharma has served in roles on the ACerS Nomination Committee, Engineering Ceramics Division Board, and former chair of the Global Corporate Achievement Award Committee. In 2017, he successfully organized awareness programs through the Ceramic and Glass Industry Foundation on ceramics and glass materials for students at Jamia Millia Islamia University in New Delhi, India. In March 2024, he organized the 4th Global Ceramics Leadership Roundtable at IIT Roorkee. Sharma also played an important role in bringing the Indian Ceramic Society closer to The American Ceramic Society during the Annual Session of InCerS in 2011, during which an agreement was signed between the two societies.
In recognition of his global outreach and technical leadership, Sharma has been honored with the Global Star Award (2014), Global Ambassador designation (2015), Corporate Environment Achievement Award (2015), and most recently, ACerS Fellow (2024).
We extend our deep appreciation to Sharma for his service to our Society!
