SYWL Meetup with the IEEE President, Prof Saifur Rahman

The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) Region 10 Students, Young Professionals, Women in Engineering and Life Members (SYWL) Meetup is a flagship event, which provides a platform for IEEE volunteers from Sections across the region to enhance their personal and professional skills, interact with each other and network to learn best practices.

This year, the esteemed APU IEEE Student Branch had the honour of hosting the event on October 24, 2023, at APU. The highlight of the occasion was the gracious participation of IEEE President Professor Saifur Rahman from Virginia Tech University, USA. The event's successful orchestration was led by the APU IEEE Student Branch, spearheaded by IEEE SB Advisor, Associate Professor Dr. Muhammad Ehsan Rana and IEEE SB counsellor Dr. Vazeerudeen Hameed.

Prof. Saifur Rahman, the current 2023 IEEE President & CEO and the founding director of the Advanced Research Institute at Virginia Tech, USA, brought an impressive wealth of experience to the event. As a Life Fellow of the IEEE and an IEEE Millennium Medal winner, he has left an indelible mark on the field, serving as the founding editor-in-chief of the IEEE Electrification Magazine and the IEEE Transactions on Sustainable Energy, in addition to publishing numerous papers and presentations.

The event drew the presence of notable figures, including Ir. Dr. Nordin Ramli (Chair, IEEE Malaysia Section), Ir. Dr. Bernard Lim (Chair-Elect, IEEE Malaysia Section), and other distinguished delegates from IEEE.

APU was well-represented by Professor Dr. Ho Chin Kuan (Vice-Chancellor), Professor Ts. Dr. Murali Raman (Deputy Vice-Chancellor), Professor Ir. Eur. Ing. Ts. Dr. Vinesh Thiruchelvam (Chief Innovative and Enterprise Officer), Dr. Teh Choon Jin (Senior Director, Administration and Human Resources), Associate Professor Dr. Thang Ka Fei (Senior Head, School of Technology), Associate Professor Ts. Dr. Tan Chin Ike (Head of School of Computing), and Associate Professor Ir. Dr. Siva Kumar Sivanesan (Head of School of Engineering).

The event commenced with warm welcome remarks by Prof Vinesh, extending a gracious welcome to the IEEE President and other esteemed guests. The focal point of the event was the keynote address by IEEE President, Prof. Saifur Rahman, who expressed IEEE initiatives, with a special emphasis on sustainability and climate change. The cultural performances by APU and UiTM students added vibrancy to the event, showcasing music, songs, and dance.

Prof. Ho, in his speech, expressed gratitude to Prof. Saifur Rahman and the delegates, reiterating APU's unwavering commitment to promoting IEEE activities for research and scholarship. The event concluded with a souvenir presentation to Prof. Saifur Rahman by Prof Ho, followed by a group photo session and a delightful dinner.

Special recognition is extended to APU IEEE Student Branch members and key contributors, including Assoc. Prof. Dr. Muhammad Ehsan Rana, Dr. Vazeerudeen Hameed, Mr. Kamalanathan Shanmugam, Mr. Vijayaraj C. Vijayasingam and Mr. Yogeswaran Nathan, for their invaluable assistance in organising the event.

Overall, the SYWL Meetup with the IEEE President was a successful event that provided a valuable opportunity for IEEE volunteers from across the region to learn and grow. It not only provided a platform for networking among students and professionals but also contributed to the strengthening of their network.

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