Dr. S.M. Ishtiaque is a Professor Emeritus in the Department of Textile Technology at Indian Institute of Technology Delhi. After completing his PhD from the Czech Republic in 1983, he joined ATIRA, Ahmedabad and then worked as Project Manager in House of Podar Enterprises (HOPE) Textile, Indore before joining IIT Delhi as Assistant Professor in 1985. He became Associate Professor in 1991 and Professor in 1995.

He has been on various administrative positions at IIT, as Acting Dy. Director (Administration), Dean of Students Affair, Head, Department of Textile Technology, Chairman Hospital Advisory Committee, Associate Dean of Students Affair. He is also the Member Board of Directors (Textile Industries), Member of Council, NITRA Ghaziabad and Member Research Advisory Committee, NITRA Ghaziabad and BTRA Bombay.

His specialization is Project Management, Machine and Design, Yarn Structure and Mechanical Processing of Fibrous Assembly. His teaching interests are Yarn Manufacturing, Textile Management and Yarn Structures and his research interests are Machine Design, Process and Product Development, Textile Management and Internal Structure of Yarn. He has around 200 publications to his name and has coauthored articles more than 70 articles.

Presently, he is consultant to several Textile Industries in abroad and India and has been invited for lectures in various countries. He was the Director, Northern India Textile Research Association, Ghaziabad, Ministry of Textiles, Government of India from 1997-2000. He has also been the coordinator of IIT Ropar, Punjab.

After securing the first rank, in textile engineering at Mumbai University with a Gold medal and completing a Master's degree, Mr Gurudas Aras joined the A.T.E. group in 1981 as a junior sales and service engineer and later joined A.T.E. board as Director. He was responsible for the total functioning of the Textile Engineering group, its profitability, customer/principal relationship, business strategy, and growth. During his tenure at A.T.E., he brought many global machinery makers to the company's fold and was very successful in building long-term relationships across the world with principals and customers.

He is a fully qualified Independent Director and has been an Independent Director on the boards of several companies being responsible for corporate governance, compliance and best board practices. He is also qualified as a CRISIL/S&P Certified ESG Risk Assessment Analyst.

Presently, he is working as a Strategic Advisory and Mentor to several Indian companies and MNCs helping them explore market opportunities and in strategizing for growth agenda. In addition to that, he is voluntarily mentoring some start-ups in their initial journey as part of his philanthropic contribution.