R10 SUBSECTION OF THE MONTH – BHUTAN SUBSECTION

Kamal K. Chapagai, Chair for IEEE Bhutan Subsection

The IEEE Bhutan Subsection was founded in 2018 after institutionalizing the IEEE Student Branch in 2014 by Dr. Tshewang Lhendup, Assistant Professor for Electrical Engineering Department and Dean of Academic Affairs at College of Science and Technology, Royal University of Bhutan. The Subsection is the first of its kind in Bhutan and has a membership consisting of faculty from Electrical Engineering, ECE and Information Technology departments. The Subsection aims to provide a platform for faculty and students to be the professional members of IEEE Professional body; learn from other experts and contribute to the advancement of science and technology for community development.

The main focus area of the Subsection is research capacity and professional development of faculty and students while promoting the College and University for building collaborative networks and internationalization through various research events and publications. To this end, the IEEE Subsection in collaboration with two research centers: The Center for Renewable and Sustainable Energy Development and the Center for Disaster Risk Reduction & Community Development Studies of the College organizes webinars and conferences for faculty and students to showcase their research findings and learn from researchers outside Bhutan. In its first three years, the subsection organized numerous talks and seminars with the highlight being organizing an international conference on the 5th and 6th February, 2021.

Under the student development series, a series of talks by industrial experts and other dignitaries are scheduled. Additionally, hands-on workshops and training were organized by IEEE volunteers and members in various areas including robotics, big data, and satellite development. This provides students to tackle real-world problems while enhancing their analytical and technical skills.

Some members of the IEEE Subsection have also collaborated with Bhutan standard Bureau to work out standardization of Bhutanese standards to IEEE. Under volunteer and community services, three members joined the core Technical Support Group as volunteers in March-April 2020 to provide technical assistance to the Southern Region National COVID-19 Task Force, Phuentsholing and developed the Web-based application software for collecting, storing, and generating decision making information about people evacuated for safety from the Indian Town at the Bhutan-India border during COVID-19 pandemic. Many other IEEE Subsection members provided volunteer services in conducting surveys and data entry.

Some of the recent accomplishment of the IEEE Bhutan subsection is:

  • Invited for IEEE SA and Bhutan Standard Bureau MOU meeting
  • Invited talk by Dr. Tshewang Lhendup in Sukatha Adhiveshn 2020 (SA2020).
  • Best presenter honorable award to Mr. Namgay Tenzin at SA2020