aluque@ieee.org

Role of technical Societies

Role of technical Societies

Today I’m attending the meeting of the IEEE Industrial Electronics Society (IES) Administrative Committee (AdCom) where I belong as Vice President of the Society. We typically meet twice per year, once in Summer and once in Autumn, to discuss Society operating and strategic issues. AdCom members are elected from IES membership and they serve two- or three-year terms. You can find the current list at http://www.ieee-ies.org/adcom/adcom-members

While we are at a break, I’m reflecting on the important role that Technical Societies play in the IEEE structure. Regions, Sections, Chapters and other geographical units are wonderful tools that serve our members and provide many of the benefits that they expect from IEEE. But Societies are extremely important as well, because it’s there where the technical developments, exchanges of information, and discovery of emerging fields happen.

I'm presenting the motions for AdCom approval as Vice President for Workshop Activities

Collaboration between Regions and Societies already happens in different forms, but it can be significantly improved. For example, by organizing joint workshops where members of one specific geographical area can learn and share knowledge of a technical field which is especially relevant in that area (e.g. mining, power transmission, optical communications, etc.). Region 8 should invite Societies to arrange workshops and events which are specifically oriented to members in Middle East, Africa, or Europe. At the same time, Region should have participation in global conferences that Societies organize and that happen often in our area.

If elected as Region Director, one of my priorities will be to foster this collaboration in order to provide members with a complete set of professional and technical benefits no matter where they live or work.