April 14 2008

Austrak Product Design Engineer Sakdirat (Sak) Kaewunruen was recently named 2008 Young Railway Engineer of the Year.

The award, granted by the Railway Technical Society of Australasia (RTSA), rewards Australian and New Zealand professional engineers, technologists or associates, who are aged under 30.

Austrak General Manager David Priddle, who nominated Sak for the prestigious award, said his nomination was based on Sak’s outstanding combination of research and professional work.

“Sak has been a great asset to Austrak,” David said. “His theoretical competence has helped enhance our processes and designs, and he’s been an important part of our research and development program.”

“This is a great achievement for Sak and one of which he should be extremely proud.”

Sak said the winning the award was exciting and a privilege.

“I didn’t expect to get this kind of award and I really appreciate David Priddle for nominating me and supporting me,” he said. “I think it shows that Austrak is nurturing young people and it’s a recognition that builds the motivation of young people.”

Sak has more than three years' professional experience as a civil engineer and has recently completed his PhD in Civil Engineering

His role with Austrak involves product design, materials technology and research and development.

He has been working on developing a new design concept for railway concrete sleepers, the core business for Austrak (a subsidiary of Laing O’Rourke).

Photo: Railway Engineer of the Year winner Sakdirat Kaewunruen