Bangalore: Europe''s largest professional engineering society, The Institution of Electrical Engineers (IEE), today presented its most prestigious award, ''The Faraday Medal'', for 2005 to Azim Premji, chairman, Wipro. Premji is the first Indian ever to be honored with this coveted award. ().

Sir Robin Saxby, Chairman, ARM Technologies, UK, and a recipient of the Faraday Medal in 2002, presented the medal to Premji. In his acceptance speech, Premji said, "The Faraday Medal is a source of inspiration for those in the field of science, technology and engineering. I am deeply honored to accept the prestigious Faraday Medal from the IEE. The medal is actually recognition of the untiring contribution made by the software engineers at Wipro and the Indian software community towards global technology. Recognition always brings along with it a sense of responsibility and a commitment to contribute even more in the future."

"I am delighted to present Azim Premji with the IEE Faraday Medal in recognition of his outstanding business leadership and contributions to elementary education in India, "said Sir Robin Saxby. Premji said, "it is an honour for me to receive this medal from Dr Robin Saxby, chairman of ARM. Wipro is a leading ARM design partner."

Premji paid rich tributes to Michael Faraday, as a memorial to whom this medal is named.

"On this occasion, I would like to recollect a few facts about Michael Faraday, after whom this medal is named. Faraday''s contribution to the world of engineering is both fundamental and immense. What made him succeed then is as relevant now, as it was at that time.

"Though Faraday had not received much formal education, he had an enormous interest in learning. Even as he worked as a book binder, he was able to develop an enormous interest in Science from the books that passed his hands.

"Faraday had an insatiable curiosity that led to many valuable discoveries and inventions. In the 1830s he produced the most amazing quantity of work - mostly of an electric nature. He discovered electromagnetic induction, the battery (electro potentials), the electric arc (plasmas) and the Faraday cage (electrostatics).

"In spite of his achievements, Faraday always remained humble. He declined high profile appointments like the presidency of the Royal Institution. He remained what he was at heart — a scientist. And took no delight in taking the centre stage.

"To my mind, these three qualities — eagerness to learn, insatiable curiosity and deep sense of humility — will keep the spirit of discovery and innovation alive. In the rapidly changing field of technology, it is innovation that will give the edge.

"I look forward to be part of this continuing journey of discovery and advancement in the field of Engineering. This is one journey where the destination keeps moving ahead, so the journey never ends. At the same time, the excitement never fades. "

also see : Azim Premji will be first Indian to receive the Faraday Medal