Bhubaneswar: In a significant recognition of India’s engineering leadership at the global level, eminent Odia Engineer Ashok Basa, past President of the Institution of Engineers (India), has been appointed as the Chair of the Internal Audit Committee of the World Federation of Engineering Organizations (WFEO).
The appointment has been made by WFEO with effect from 28 September 2026, and the tenure will continue until the completion of the Committee’s assigned mandate by the end of 2027. The Internal Audit Committee has been constituted by WFEO for the first time, making Er. Ashok Basa its first chair.
In his appointment letter, Dr. Moez Chakchouk, Executive Director, WFEO, conveyed that the appointment reflects the Federation’s confidence in Basa’s distinguished leadership, professional standing and commitment to advancing engineering excellence at the global level. The letter also highlighted his role in supporting WFEO’s commitment to transparency, accountability and sound governance.
As Chair, Basa will lead the newly constituted Committee in reviewing the adequacy and effectiveness of WFEO’s internal control systems, supporting compliance with applicable policies and regulations, safeguarding the Federation’s assets and interests, and reviewing the integrity and reliability of financial and management information. The Committee will also follow up on corrective actions arising from internal audit activities and undertake investigations within the scope of its mandate.
The Committee will work closely with the WFEO Executive Board, WFEO Secretariat and its members, with a mandate to uphold the highest standards of integrity, impartiality, transparency and professionalism.
The World Federation of Engineering Organizations (WFEO) is a global federation representing engineering organizations from countries across the world. Established in 1968 at the initiative of UNESCO, WFEO serves as a global platform for the engineering profession and works towards advancing engineering excellence and its contribution to sustainable development.
Basa created history in December 2025 by becoming the first Indian to serve as the Internal Auditor of WFEO since its inception. He has also served as Executive Vice President of WFEO (2022–2025) and became only the second Indian to hold this prestigious leadership role. In addition, he chaired the Strategic Planning Committee (SPC) during 2022–2023 and 2023–2025.
Ashok Basa’s appointment to head WFEO’s first-ever Internal Audit Committee is being regarded as an important recognition of the professional standing and leadership of Indian engineers on the international engineering platform. An alumnus of Regional Engineering College (REC), now National Institute of Technology (NIT) Rourkela, Basa’s appointment also provides an opportunity for Indian engineering leadership to contribute to strengthening global practices in governance, accountability, transparency and institutional management.
