REGION 10 DIRECTOR’S MESSAGE — Oct 2021

Dear IEEE Colleagues,

We are coming closer to the end of 2021; a year that will be remembered for long time as a period mankind has learned to live and work in a virtual world. Thanks to new technologies and unequivocal passion, our volunteers all across Region 10 have exhibited with great dedication and commitment for IEEE despite all the challenges and uncertainties. Our committees came out with many innovative programs for member engagement which surely have enriched the value of being members of this great organization.

We continue to be the largest, fastest-growing and most diverse region in IEEE. There are 60 sections and 42 subsections in Region 10 and many of our subsections have the potential to grow as full sections in coming years. I am glad to share that the membership of Region 10 is up by 12%, which is the highest rate among all regions. FUTURE50 initiative continues to provide discount to students. This initiative has benefited Region 10 immensely especially India, and accounted for 65% of total program usage. As it is annual renewal time, I request all members to renew your membership by availing discount options offered by IEEE MGA and technical societies.

We have successfully organized the Region 10 flagship conference, TENSYMP 2021 in August with the theme ‘Good Technologies for Creating Future’ in hybrid mode. I presented an overview of Region 10 from my own place like many others who participated online whereas a good number of delegates attended the conference physically at Jeju Island, South Korea. I congratulate the IEEE Seoul section for successfully organizing another major conference of Region 10 after TENCON 2018.

Similarly, Region 10 Humanitarian Technology Conference 2021, with theme ‘Reverse Innovation for Humanitarian Technology Solutions using STEM Science, Technology, Engineering, and Management’ was also held in hybrid mode recently at Bangalore. I personally attended the grand inauguration of the conference at Bangalore. It was my first travel after 18 months. We are now slowly shifting from fully virtual events to hybrid mode. Many of our sections have started in-person and hybrid events following all protocols and adhering to local safety guidelines. It is a good sign, and I wish we return to full normalcy soon. But, the pandemic has not yet over. Hence, let us be very careful, take all precautions and follow the necessary safety protocols on Covid-19 and adhere to the guidelines issued by local authorities.

Meanwhile, Region 10 announced several award winners in various categories. Many congratulations to all winners. I also congratulate those who participated in award programs and appreciate the spirit of participation. Most members and volunteers were having great credentials and the competition was very tough. We also introduced several special recognition awards to accommodate and motivate more volunteers and members. I encourage our members to keep participating and I am sure you would be recognised.

We executed many of our planned activities with great success. ‘Sparklers Summit’, ‘Career Leadership Aid Program (CLAP)’, ‘Student-YP Joint Activities’, ‘Rejuvenation of dormant YP affinity groups’, ‘YP REVOL 2021’, ‘Skill Upgradation program –  UpSkill 2021’ all were well attended by our members. I am sure of great value enhancement by these programs. The Region 10 team has shown that how opportunities could be created during the challenges. I am proud of each and every volunteer of Region 10 for their outstanding contributions.

We continue educating our volunteers on ‘conferences’, which is going to be our regular feature for 2021-2022. Region 10 is also supporting sections to organize POCO, that is our way to empower sections to spread awareness on conferences and conference quality.

Region 10 collaborated with IEEE HAC for projects focussed on ‘Addressing Local Needs During COVID19’. 26 selected project proposals, with innovative ideas on various Covid19 related topics, were awarded for funding support. I am happy to share that all 26 projects are  progressing well with great satisfaction. This time, we have associated one mentor to each project to guide projects. We have a plan to convert selected projects in to product. This is going to be very encouraging for participants.

Region 10 Industry Relations Committee launched ‘Industry Academia Dialogue Forum’ to enhance Industry-Academia engagement and select sections have been provided with funding support. It’s great initiative and I am sure our members in academia shall have good exposure from industry. We are brainstorming on various ways of engaging industries in our events.

Region 10 initiative ‘Reaching Locals’ and collaborative program ‘10Talk’ continue to create values. Life members committee is very active and expanding the LMAG network. Currently, we have LMAG in 20 sections and is still growing. Region 10 Student Activities Committee organized ‘R10 Student Membership Development Summit 2021’ to spread awareness on special tools available for students. The Strategic Planning and New Initiatives Committee is pursuing the possibility of launching the 4th “Virtual” R10 flagship conference in addition to TENCON, TENSYMP and R10-HTC. The committee has completed a survey to study the challenges and opportunities of holding this new conference.

Region 10 Professional Activities Committee is planning to organize a series of HardTech/SmartTech workshops in November. The committee has invited proposals for Entrepreneurship Initiatives and 13 proposals are under scrutiny now, the results of which will be announced soon. The Information Management Committee has started implementing event funding portal for R10 committees so that members will be able to submit funding proposals without any hassles. Our YouTube channel is also active with new contents uploaded regularly.

The Information Management committee has finished doing social media management to better engage members and increase subscribers for new R10 YouTube channel by having a regular pre-recorded interview sessions to share about R10 programs and to address concern questions raised by R10 section volunteer leaders. Please visit.

Our volunteers celebrated IEEE Day all over Region 10 in their own traditional and innovative ways. Many of our sections recognised their volunteers for their contributions and some sections organized online events inviting leaders to deliver technical and motivational talk. Please share photographs your celebration in the newsletter.

There are many lessons learnt and many to learn from the pandemic. I am sure that we learnt how to respond to challenging situations and how we could be truly global, and collaborate all across the world. We have explored and used technology to connect with the leaders and technologists across the world and most of our events had international participation, and we plan to continue to do so in the coming years.

I am grateful to each member and every volunteer of Region 10 for their great contributions and outstanding performance. I wish you all a very bright future.

Thank you.

Best regards,

Deepak Mathur

IEEE Region 10 Director

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