Prepared by: Pushparaj Shetty, Chair for IEEE Mangalore Subsection
IEEE Mangalore Subsection (MSS) was formed on 10th July 2013 under IEEE Bangalore Section. The Subsection today includes more than 1100 members, among whom 70% are students. The monthly meeting of the executive committee is held in institutes having student branches or industries and incubation centers.
To support student members’ knowledge and training needs, IEEE MSS conducts regular events such as distinguished lectures, project and paper competitions, and workshops. One of the flagship events is the annual International Conference on Distributed Computing, VLSI Electrical Circuits and Robotics (DISCOVER). The 5th edition of DISCOVER will be held on 29th – 30th November 2021 at NMAM Institute of Technology Nitte (https://www.ieee-discover.org). A democratic process selects the conference’s host institute to give every institute a chance to host this prestigious conference. Over the years, the DISCOVER conference has become self-sufficient by attracting local researchers, reviewers, session chairs, and speakers. The papers that appear at the conference have been published in IEEE Xplore and have been widely cited.
The “I2CONECCT” (Industry Institute Conclave on Electronics Computer and Communication Technologies) is another flagship event showcasing project exhibition and competition. The Subsection is instrumental in starting the IEEE Day celebrations as Professor K M Hebbar memorial lectures beginning from 2017. Prof. Hebbar was the pioneer of Electronics and Computer Engineering in coastal Karnataka and has influenced the life and work of many students.
The outstanding volunteers are recognized for their services and awarded during the annual general meeting (AGM) under the Young Professional, Women in Engineering and Outstanding Volunteer categories. The AGM also sees student branches’ presentations of their year-long activities, which are judged to give financial assistance for the following year. The student branches are encouraged to conduct outreach programs for the benefit of the community and society.
The Subsection has a registered head office located in NMAMIT Nitte (https://nmamit.nitte.edu.in/). Nitte is a small village on the foothills of Western Ghats, recognized worldwide due to the educational institutions. The financial transactions are presented by the treasurer every quarter in the Execom meetings and at the AGM. A chartered accountant audits the Subsection accounts. In 2020, IEEE MSS received a grant from IEEE R10 to conduct the Conference Organizers Education Workshop (COEW) and ‘Reaching Local’ program. The years 2020 and 2021 have seen four new student branches established, taking the total tally to 15. More than 8 society chapters and two affinity groups were also inaugurated. The Subsection has reported more than 180 activities in the vTools and published reports in the Bangalore Section and R10 newsletter.
In the coming days, the Subsection’s focus would be to attract more startups, entrepreneurs, and companies into IEEE, towards building a tech-eco-hub and corridor in this region. IEEE MSS has started a dialogue with entrepreneurs, startups and incubation centers. It has launched the Industry Tech webinars and plans to hold ‘Mangalore Tech Conclave’, a networking event to mentor budding entrepreneurs.
The IEEE Mangalore Subsection places on record its appreciation for the continued support extended by the IEEE Bangalore Section. It looks forward to working in unison with the new North Karnataka and Mysore Subsections. The selfless efforts of all past chairs of IEEE MSS have significantly helped in shaping the Subsection.
Executive Committee meeting of IEEE MSS held on 17th January 2021 at SJEC, Mangalore
Website: www.ieee-mangalore.org