By Aniketh Shenoy, Secretary, IEEE R10 Student Activities Committee
The IEEE R10 Student Activities Committee (SAC) hosted the IEEE R10 Student Summit 2023 on 16 September 2023. This hybrid gathering transcended geographical borders, uniting student members from diverse Sections and countries in a dynamic virtual space. The summit, jointly organized by seven host Sections, including IEEE Bangalore Section, IEEE Bombay Section, IEEE Fiji Subsection, IEEE Kerala Section, IEEE Madras Section, IEEE Republic of Philippines Section, and IEEE Sri Lanka Section, aimed to foster connections, knowledge exchange, and interaction between student members and Region 10 leadership.
With a total of 1258 participants, including 201 individual registrations and 1057 from host Sections, the summit unequivocally achieved its objectives. The event featured a compelling plenary session, replete with inspirational talks, affinity group insights, contest results, and interactive games. Professor Jennifer Dela Cruz, Chair of the IEEE Region 10 SAC, set the tone for the summit with a warm welcome. The keynote address by Professor Lance Fung, Region 10 Director, emphasized the pivotal role of student members in shaping the region’s future. He encouraged students to embrace leadership roles and actively contribute to the growth of IEEE Region 10.
An intriguing guest speech by Professor Takako Hashimoto, Region 10 Director-elect, focused on bridging the academia-industry gap, showcasing IEEE’s initiatives in this regard. Professor Preeti Bajaj, Vice-Chair of IEEE R10 Membership Activities, shared her personal journey in IEEE leadership, offering invaluable advice on developing leadership skills through IEEE involvement.
Dr. Saaveethya Sivakumar, the Region 10 YP Chair, highlighted the transition from student to professional membership. Dr. Khanita Duangchaemkarn, Region 10 WIE Chair, underscored the empowerment of women in engineering and technology fields. Mr. Rajendra K. Asthana, Region 10 LM Chair, shed light on the support extended to Life members.
Contest winners from the Undergraduate Student Video Contest and the Research Paper Contest were celebrated along with fun activities. The summit concluded with heartfelt gratitude expressed by Ms. Warunika Hippola, the IEEE Region 10 Student Representative, towards all those who contributed to making the event a resounding success.
The IEEE Region 10 Student Summit 2023 was a testament to the power of collaboration, learning, and leadership within the IEEE community, and it promises to inspire many more in the years to come.