Udhayakumar Vijayaraju

We asked Udhayakumar…

I would recommend a career in civil engineering because…

Civil engineering is one of humanity’s oldest and most important professions. It makes dreams reality.

From ancient temples, dams and irrigation systems to modern cities, roads and skyscrapers, civil engineers create the foundations of society.

It's one of the few careers where your work directly improves lives, through safe buildings, clean water, transport networks and resilient infrastructure that serves communities for generations.

Complete this phrase: I’m a civil engineer, but I’m also…

I'm also a researcher, mentor, traveller and lifelong learner, always observing details and asking, “is there a smarter and more economical way to solve this problem?

What about being a civil engineer gets you out of bed each morning?

Knowing that engineering can improve lives and communities.

Every project is an opportunity to solve problems, create something meaningful, and leave behind infrastructure that serves people for decades, even generations.

What’s one great thing that you love about civil engineering that you didn’t know until you started working in the industry?

I discovered that great engineering is often hidden in the details.

Small design improvements can solve major problems, save significant costs and improve performance.

I love that process of understanding a challenge deeply and finding practical, economical solutions.

Which civil engineering project (past or present) do you wish you’d worked on?

Projects like the Burj Khalifa are incredible symbols of what engineering can achieve.

But if I could choose, I would want to work on projects that solve everyday challenges for communities—roads, clean drinking water, drainage systems, irrigation networks and resilient public infrastructure—because these projects quietly transform lives in the biggest way.

Name one civil engineering myth you’d like to bust.

The biggest myth is that civil engineering is just about construction.

In reality, it’s about creativity, science, innovation, sustainability and solving human problems.

Civil engineers shape how communities live every day.

Has civil engineering helped you overcome any personal hurdles/difficulties?

Certainly. It taught me resilience, confidence and adaptability.

Growing up in a small village at the foothills of the Pachamalai Hills and later building a career across India, the UAE, Qatar and Bahrain showed me how engineering can open doors, not only professionally, but personally. 

Civil engineering challenged me to think bigger, step outside my comfort zone, work with people from different cultures, and continuously learn and grow.

It shaped not just my career, but the person I became.

What motivated you to become professionally qualified? 

I wanted to challenge myself against internationally recognised standards and become the best engineer I could be.

Professional qualification through the ICE represented excellence, integrity and lifelong learning.

What does being professionally qualified with the ICE mean for your career?  

It gave me global recognition, professional credibility and confidence to lead major projects and mentor future engineers.

What’s the best thing about being professionally qualified with the ICE?

Being part of a respected global engineering community committed to improving society through knowledge, ethics and innovation.

How did the ICE and your employer support you to become professionally qualified? 

Through mentoring, professional guidance, CPD opportunities and exposure to challenging projects that helped me grow technically and professionally.

What do you value most about being an ICE member? 

Being connected to a global network of engineers who share knowledge, inspire innovation and support professional growth.

How has being a member helped your career?

It strengthened my professional credibility, expanded my network, supported my journey to Fellowship, and gave me opportunities to mentor the next generation of engineers.

What’s the biggest/most complex thing you’ve made out of Lego?

I never built anything remarkable out of Lego, but real-life engineering often feels like giant Lego on a much bigger scale!

The most complex projects I’ve helped deliver include:

• a multi-million-dollar waterfront development with marinas, malls, residential towers and major infrastructure systems; and
• large industrial expansion projects like the Ruwais Refinery, where coordination between multiple teams, disciplines and contractors was the key to success. 

Like building with Lego, every piece has to fit perfectly, but in engineering, every piece also has to be safe, efficient and built to last.

Anything else? i.e. personal causes, hobbies

I enjoy watching films and travelling, but wherever I go, I naturally find myself observing buildings, roads, bridges, and public spaces.

I'm constantly thinking about how they were designed, how they perform, and how they could be improved to better serve people and communities.

I'm deeply committed to mentoring young engineers and supporting structured professional development pathways that help them grow with confidence and clarity in their careers.

As the country representative of the ICE in Bahrain, I'm actively involved in creating a platform where students and graduates can connect, engage with professionals, and develop their competencies toward achieving professional qualifications.

My focus is on strengthening the bridge between academia, industry, and professional institutions.