Delhi Network YPS: Seminar at JRE School of Engineering, Greater Noida (India)

On 18^th February, a seminar was held at JRE School of Engineering, Greater Noida. YPS of IET Delhi was one of the participants in the seminar. JRE Group is a joint venture of Singapore’s Raffles Education Corporation Ltd and Educomp Solutions Ltd., India. The group has ventured into management and engineering education recently and this seminar was organised to familiarise the first year engineering students about different aspects of engineering education. Attended by about 70 faculty members and first year students, it was a good opportunity to communicate the message espoused by IET. On behalf of IET Delhi Network, Prof. S.S. Murthy (Vice Chairman) and Mr. Ramesh Negi (Chairman-YPS) attended the seminar. Besides providing a brief about IET and its rich heritage, the audience was informed about recent India specific initiatives like the Graduate Advantage Package, Academic affiliate program, and the scholarships. Students were quite inquisitive about the process of joining, fees involved and the PATW competition. In fact some of the young faculty members pursuing their doctoral studies also desired to know about their participation in the forthcoming PATW competition. Prof. Steve Rawlinson, the dynamic President of JRE Group and Dr. V. Krishna Rao, Dean-Engineering appeared keen in having a strategic partnership with IET. The YPS will certainly keep following it up, with guidance and support from the seniors in Delhi network.

- Ramesh Negi, Chairman-YPS, IET Delhi Network

Delhi YPS tries to Broaden its Reach

Delhi YPS tries to Broaden its Reach

- Ramesh Negi (Chairman – YPS), IET Delhi Network

In an effort to widen the reach of IET amongst budding engineers, we recently had a series of meetings with the officials of some reputed engineering institutions in Bhopal (MP) in the Central west part of India. Bhopal, known as the city of lakes, not only holds a strategic place in the national political scene, but it is also known as an educational hub in Western India.

Our first stop was TIT Group of Institutions, in Anand Nagar, Bhopal. Besides discussing the membership issue with Dr Bhupendra Verma, the Director of ‘Technocrats Institute of Technology’, we also met the Group Director Dr. C.L. Saxena who appeared quite enthusiastic about opening IET Student Chapter in their college and sought more details about having an institutional affiliation. The officials appeared impressed when we told them about the level of energy displayed by Delhi Network Chairman (Mr. HBS Rana) even at the age of 85, who has been with IET for over 50 years. While underlining the importance of a strategic tie-up, they sought to emphasise that IET will have to come up to expectations in terms of value for money.

Next, we went to Oriental Institute of Science and Technology (OIST), Thakral Nagar, Bhopal. This institute is considered one of the best in terms of standards of education. Having colleges and institutes in many cities across Madhya Pradesh, OIST is also known for the … design of its buildings. This institute has also made headlines for being a preferred location for a number of famous bollywood movies. The young and energetic Director, Dr. T. Hamsapriya appeared keen in allowing the participation of their students in the forthcoming PATW Delhi round competition. Though she was not much aware about IET and its activities, she opined that opening of a student chapter can be considered if she is confident about a fruitful long-term association with IET.

Our next stop was the NRI group of institutions at Sajjan Singh Nagar in Bhopal to meet Dr. S.C. Kapoor, the Director. Dr. Kapoor informed us that as of now plans are in final stages for starting a student chapter of Institution of Engineers (I). On being told that IE(I) and IET are strategic partners now, Dr. Kapoor assured that efforts would certainly be initiated for IET activities as well in near future.

Subsequently we visited the Bansal Institute of Research & Technology (BIRT) in Bhopal and met Dr. S.C. Soni, (Director) and Dr. N.K. Tiwari (Principal). While appearing convinced about an association with IET, Dr. Tiwari suggested that IET will be in a better position to widen its membership base if it can offer memberships for 10-20 yrs or allow the prevailing concept of life-fellows in India. Dr. Soni desired to have more details about the steps and procedures for becoming an academic affiliate.

Though it was a hectic one day tour, but we kept hopping from one place to another for about 9 hrs. Our lunch became the casualty, but we had no option as the meetings could be arranged after consistent pursual from Prof. Taruna Jain, the flag bearer of IET in Bhopal city. Two young first year students from Barkatullah University Mr. Aviral Patle and Ms. Shivani Dube were the local guides and support lines for us all this while. If the enthusiasm and motivation level of Aviral and Shivani is an indication, then I am sure, IET is bound to have an array of activities in coming years in Bhopal. Well, what is required – is a mild nudge and requisite support from the Delhi YPS team. Amen.

Attached Figure: Mr. Aviral, Ms. Shivani with Mr. HBS Rana at one of the institutes in Bhopal

PATW-2012 Campus Round Competition at Sharda University, Greater Noida (India)

On 4^th Feb, the newly formed student chapter of IET at Sharda University (Greater Noida) organised this year’s Campus round competition of PATW. Sharda Univerisity is a leading educational institution offering opportunities in management, medical, law, creative arts, architecture & planning etc. besides Engineering & Technology, within Delhi NCR region.

This was the first time that Sharda University students took part in a competition like this and the enthusiasm with which 35 students participated to secure berth in the forthcoming ‘Delhi round finals’ seems to suggest that there is ample scope for more IET’s activities in the University. Due to high number of participants in the event, two-tier selection structure was adopted. Six shortlisted students from first round competed with each other in the second round for the top two slots. The eminent panel of judges finally declared Ms. Ekta Sinha as the winner and Ms. Mitali Sahu the runner-up of the event. Both these students will now compete with students from other Universities/ institutions from Delhi network region on 3^rd March at IIT Delhi. Mr. HBS Rana, IET Delhi Network Chairman, was kind enough to grace the occasion and gave away cash prizes of Rs. 4000/- and Rs 2000/- to the winner and the runner-up respectively. Certificates were also given away to all the participants.

Coordinating team for the event included Prof. Rakesh Kumar, Prof. C. Mohan, Prof. Venkat Babu, Mr. Ambarish Shukla and Ms. Preeti Chaudhary.

Ramesh Negi, Chairman-YPS, IET Delhi Network

IET South Asia Finals PATW in Sri Lanka

IET YP Sri Lanka put a great step forward by organizing the IET YP PATW South Asia Finals in Sri Lanka at Galadari Hotel on 21^st August 2011.

Seven South Asian Regional presenters from Mumbai, Lahore, Kolkata, Delhi, Chennai, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka YP Networks unleashed their new innovations at the South Asia Finals PATW in Colombo.

The conference was started by lightening the traditional oil lamp. The welcome speech was delivered by Mr. Suresh Dharmaratna, Chairman IET YP Sri Lanka followed by the keynote speech delivered by Mr. Jananthan Council member IET UK and the Chairman IET South Asia Finance Committee.

Mr. Sanyal Shakher, Country Head, IET India, was given a speech about IET in South Asian Region and elaborated the future of the IET in the region. Prof. Ghihan Dias from University of Moratuwa was the guest speaker and delivered his speech on “Impact of Information Exchange on the Society”.

Out of the seven competitive presentations, the presentation that won the First place was “Carbon Nanotube – The Big Small Thing” which was presented by Mr. Muhammad Saad Ali from Lahore Network, who took the £ 400 cash prize and the certificate.

The paper with the title “Energy Crisis in the World” presented by Mr. Syed Nabeel Mehdi was the runner up of the South Asia Finals PATW. He won the £ 250 cash prize and the certificate. The judging panel consisted of Ms. Alex Taylor, Mr. Sanyal Shakher and Dr. Athputharaja.

The event ended up with the valuable speech from Ms. Alex Taylor about the whole event and comment on Presentations and vote of thanks by Mr. Manjula Perera, Chariman IET Sri Lanka Network.

The whole event was run by Engineers and Engineering undergraduates and IET YP Sri Lanka are willing to share our experiences with whole IET YP Networks around the world. You can visit our PATW website or can contact via email, www.ietpatw2011.com or suresh@sureshd.com (Chairman IET YP Sri Lanka, Chairman IET South Asia Finals PATW Organizing committee).

Suresh Dharmaratn

Chairman IET YP Sri Lanka / Chairman South Asia Final PATW Organizing Committee

Dr M A Joshi Award

Dean R & D, COEP, fellow of THE IET receives teacher’s award. Dr. Mrs. Madhuri Arunkumar Joshi, Professor and Dean R & D, College of Engineering, Pune(COEP) was honoured with the state government’s teacher’s award of first place, at a function held in Aurangabad on Monday, 5th Sep. 2011 by chief minister, Prithviraj Chavan and Rajesh Tope, minister of higher and technical education, with a scroll of honour and cash of Rs. 10,000/. Dr. Joshi, who is a professor in E & TC department has written 3 books on image processing, electronic components and embedded systems. She has written 92 papers in national and international journals and conferences.8 students have completed Ph.D. under her guidance. She is an active fellow and vice chair of THE IET Mumbai network. She is daughter of eminent electrical engineer, fellow of THE IET and ex. D.T.E., M.S. late Professor M.V. Deshpande.

She is also recipient of Prof. S.V.C. Aiya memorial award of IETE( India) for excellence in Technical education. This national award will be conferred to her on 24th sep. 2011 at Ahmedabad. It is for her contribution in developing “finger print and biometrics” laboratory in COEP.This award is instituted by students of Prof. Aiya, who was Prof. and HOD in E & TC in COEP and Prof. at IISc, Bangalore. This award was received earlier by Prof. S.C. Saharabudhe, Ex. Director of IIT Bombay, and present Director, DAIICT, Gandhinagar.

NEW BEGINNINGS………..

After eight years volunteering with the central IET YP body, it is high time for me to take a step back and let the next generation of YPs rule the roost and chart the course for all things YP.

Throughout those years, I'm pleased to report that there has been an enormous positive shift in the level of respect for YPs and their opinions within IET governance, particularly on the back of successful YP lead initiatives such as PATW. While the YP voice is more distributed than it has been in the recent past, overall YPs are now exerting a far stronger influence on the direction of the IET. I remain convinced that if the YPs that comprise the YPF worked even closer together, through David and the YPCT, the YPs would be a completely undeniable force within the IET and the IET would be infinitely better for it. That is the challenge I leave with you and I sincerely hope you collectively take it up.

As rewarding as my involvement has been at a professional level, I have also met hundreds of enthusiastic YPs around the globe. Many of those meetings have blossomed into good friendships that I expect will last a lifetime. Thanks to all of you for such a fantastic journey.

Best wishes,

Sam McLaughlin, YPF member

Message from the Chair - November 2011

The YP constructs that we have today have come a long way. In order to continue to make the constructs relevant and useful, we as volunteers need to remain steadfast as we work together through different time zones and schedules. It is better to make an effort to cooperate and remain cohesive as a group than to solve the symptoms of poor engagement with new constructs. If we can do this well, we will always be productive regardless of the governance structure.

The Young Professionals Forum will evolve along with the rest of the IET as time goes by. I hope that you will contribute your ideas by being a part of the Young Professionals Forum, YP Task Forces, Young Professionals Section, and Student Chapters. Volunteering for the IET in any capacity and at any level is equally important, because fresh insight is greatly valued. You can reach us directly by email, so don’t ever hesitate to contact the YPCT for any reason. If you are not currently an IET volunteer and you’re interested in helping out, please visit:

http://www.theiet.org/volunteers/young-professionals/volunteer-opps/index.cfm.

To mark the 140th anniversary of the IET, we would like to celebrate YP volunteers who have been involved with the IET in their capacity as Young Professional Forum members, or research/editorial volunteers for the IET journals, or major YP event organisers, or active student chaptervolunteers. Send an article describing what you have done for the IET, your background and future plans, along with a photo of yourself to the YP250 newsletter editor. Congratulations to the newly elected Young Professionals. I hope to see everyone at the YP Summit 2011.

David Leong, Chair YPCT