On May 21, 2015, Karel Velan was awarded the Gold Medal Award from Engineers Canada, which is the profession’s highest honour, presented for achievement and distinction in engineering.

K. Velan received the award for lifetime achievement in the field of industrial valve design and manufacturing. After his arrival to Canada, K. Velan founded Velan Engineering Ltd., which currently employs about 2,000 people at 12 production facilities worldwide. Mr. Velan has received many Canadian awards and distinctions for his contributions to the profession; he was also awarded the Gratias Agit Prize by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Czech Republic and on October 19, 2014, he received the Silver Commemorative Medal of the Senate of the Czech Republic for his lifelong and selfless support of Czech compatriots abroad and humanitarian projects in the Czech Republic and Canada.