Sayantan Sur, P.Eng.

Please tell us about your personal background.

I grew up in an industrial town in Central India, surrounded primarily by power plants and coal mines. Living in that environment sparked my curiosity about mining and industrial activities from an early age. After completing my bachelor’s degree in engineering, I spent more than a decade working at several underground and opencast coal mines in India. In 2022, I relocated to Canada with my family and began a new chapter of my personal and professional life.

Why did you choose engineering, and what is your area of specialty?

I have always been fascinated by mathematics and science, and I was regarded as a “Math Whiz” at school, so choosing engineering as my undergraduate field was a fairly natural decision. I was also inspired by my father, who spent almost 30 years working as an engineer. I ultimately chose electrical engineering, and over the course of my career, I have had the opportunity to apply that knowledge across various mining, industrial and multidisciplinary projects.

Where and when did you study, and how would you describe that experience?

I graduated in electrical engineering from Nagpur University in India in 2009. I particularly enjoyed the lab sessions because they gave me the opportunity to see the practical side of what we were learning in the classroom. I have always enjoyed understanding how things work and then seeing that knowledge applied in the real world. That interest in the practical side of engineering has stayed with me, particularly during my years working in the coal mining industry, where engineering decisions often had a very direct connection to what was happening in the field.

What are some of the most interesting, rewarding, and/or challenging experiences you have had?

Interesting: One of the interesting aspects of my career has been the shift from working on the owner/operator side to working in the consulting industry for various mining and industrial clients. Having experience on both sides has given me an opportunity to understand the different challenges, priorities and perspectives involved in successfully delivering a project. I believe this experience has shaped my overall understanding of a project lifecycle and has given me a better appreciation for the importance of collaboration between owners, consultants and other stakeholders.

Rewarding: The most rewarding experience of my career was leading my team in the development and commissioning of a new opencast coal mine in Central India. From an initial concept and design through to final commissioning and start of the first production shift, the project took approximately three years to complete and involved continuous collaboration with numerous internal and external stakeholders.

This new mine also created some employment opportunities for technically skilled people from nearby villages, in accordance with the established company and government guidelines. I still clearly remember the smiles on the faces of the newly employed villagers and our team members when we saw the first batch of coal moving along the main conveyor belt. After three years of hard work, seeing that moment come to life was immensely satisfying and remains one of the experiences I remember most fondly from my career.

Challenging: A particularly challenging period of my career was the transition when I started my first engineering role in Canada in 2022. Although I already had many years of engineering experience, I had to become familiar with Canadian codes and standards and adapt to different engineering practices and ways of working. This was an opportunity to expand my technical knowledge and understand how engineering is practised in Canada. I was also fortunate to have a manager and colleagues who went out of their way to support me and help me integrate into the team and the new workplace.

That transition reinforced the importance of being open to learning, asking questions and adapting to new situations, regardless of how much experience one may already have. It also showed me how valuable a supportive team can be when someone is navigating a new professional environment.

What have you appreciated most about your engineering journey?

I have had the opportunity to work with some incredibly talented and inspiring people throughout my career. I have learned something from many of them, sometimes through their technical expertise and sometimes by observing how they approached problems, worked with others and handled challenging situations. Their influence has extended beyond my professional development and has contributed to the person I am today.

I have also enjoyed volunteering with technical and professional organizations such as IEEE and connecting with fellow professionals on a regular basis. These experiences have allowed me to continue learning beyond my regular work, further develop my technical and interpersonal skills, and contribute to the engineering community.

What I appreciate most are the people I have met, the opportunities I have had to learn from them, and the relationships and experiences that have made my engineering journey so meaningful.

How long have you volunteered with APEGS, and what are the primary responsibilities of your volunteer role?

I started volunteering with APEGS in 2024 and was a member of APEGS first Governance Committee. I am currently a volunteer member of the Experience Review Committee (ERC), where my primary responsibility is reviewing applicants’ work experience assessments that have been completed by staff assessors. I value the opportunity to contribute to the profession by helping ensure that applicants’ engineering experience is assessed fairly and consistently.

Anything else you’d like to add?

Engineering is widely regarded as a respected profession in Canada, and I believe that respect comes with a great deal of responsibility. People place their trust in engineers and rely on our work and professional judgement. I am immensely proud to be an engineer and grateful for the opportunity to use my knowledge and experience to make a positive difference, however small, in the lives of others.