MGA Scoop - October 2020 Issue

Important Information: IEEE has established a single platform for all #COVID19 related resources to support our members during the pandemic. Access the latest virtual educational opportunities, free e-books, virtual networking, and more in one place by visiting https://covid19.ieee.org/.

Upcoming Events

Technical English: Strategies to Improve Workplace and School Success
21 October 2020 | 12pm ET
Register

IEEE Virtual Tech Talk: IEEE 802 Networking Standards – WLAN Sensing
4 November 2020 | 9am ET
Register

The IEEE Virtual Events Calendar provides an up-to-date listing of major upcoming events and those now available on demand.

2020 IEEE Sections Congress Recommendations Process Goes Virtual

The first ever virtual Recommendations Process was held this September bringing together over 350 participants! The Sections Congress 2020 Recommendations Event was a series of two sessions held on 1 September and 15 September and focused on the recommendations process. The event series also included sessions on how to be successful in the new virtual environment and invited speakers.

Recordings and materials from the SC2020 Virtual Recommendations Event are available in the IEEE Center for Leadership Excellence (CLE).

View Top 3 Recommendations

Attendee Photo Gallery from the Sections Congress Recommendations Event

Thank you everyone who attended the SC2020 Recommendations Event! Click the button below to see the attendees who participated in the virtual photo op at the end of session 2.

View Gallery

Celebrate 40 Years of Preserving IEEE History

The IEEE History Center recognizes and remembers IEEE members and their predecessors through the IEEE Archives, the Milestones program, oral histories and other work making public IEEE members’ contributions to society. The IEEE Foundation September Campaign E-Communication features the IEEE History Center and celebrates its 40 Years of preserving IEEE History.

Read this Special Edition

New Membership Year, New Member Discounts Communications

Member Discounts initiated some new communication features, to help members access all their savings opportunities easily.

The Member Discounts Web page has a new look and features. Now users will see most of the benefit icons at a glance, with less text and less scrolling, for a better user experience on any device. A new feature of the Member Discounts Web page is a registration link to a monthly newsletter about the Member Group Insurance Program, through Mercer, the Program administrator. Insured members as well as members who are not yet participating in any insurance plan may enroll at no charge.

Learn More

Volunteers who wish to help promote Member Discounts locally may obtain the current Member Discounts banners from the Promo Library.

Go to Promo Library

Reminder: Call for Nominations: 2020 MGA Individual Awards Program: Deadline 15 October

** This message sent on behalf of Jason K. Hui, MGA Awards and Recognition Committee Chair **

You can help recognize the efforts of outstanding volunteers by nominating individuals for one of the prestigious IEEE Member and Geographic Activities (MGA) Awards. Each award has a unique mission and criteria and offers the opportunity to honor distinguished colleagues, inspiring teachers, and corporate leaders.

If you know someone who has made substantial regional IEEE volunteer contributions through innovative projects, exemplary leadership, service, or by fulfilling the goals as related to transnational activities, consider nominating them for one of the following awards:

Please visit the MGA Award nomination web page to review the nominator guidelines and eligibility requirements. MGA awards are peer-recognized awards; therefore, self-nomination is not permitted.

The deadline for nominations is 15 October 2020 (for completed nomination form and two letters of endorsement).

Nominate a colleague now

MGA Awards & Recognition Program
Email: mga-awards@ieee.org

NEW! - Take a look at the brand new video created by the MGA Awards & Recognition Committee about 'Writing & Selecting Successful Nominations'. In this video, the 2020-2021 MGA Awards and Recognition Committee Chair, Jason Hui invites Kathleen Kramer, Region 6 Past Region Director and Diane Bowen Collier, Region 5 Awards Chair, to give advice on how to write strong nominations and what the selection committee looks for when evaluating nominations:

Reminder - Section Student Activities Chairs and Representatives

Please work with your local Student Branches to plan 2021 activities and remind them that the following is required in order for them to remain active:

At least 10 active IEEE Student Members to remain an active IEEE Student Branch
Annual Plan: https://sbr.vtools.ieee.org
Officer Reporting: https://officers.vtools.ieee.org (Chair position is required)
Meeting/Event Reporting: https://events.vtools.ieee.org

How Engineers are Helping to Harness and Sustain Natural Resources

IEEE Transmitter has a collection of articles, videos, and infographics available about how technology plays an important role in utilizing nature's gifts in ways that positively impact peoples’ lives.

AUV's (autonomous underwater vehicles) aren't just swimming for science, they're navigating innovation for ocean sustainability. Read how advanced sensors and other technology are being used to protect one of our largest natural resources.

Members in the News

Take Off Your Mask and Smile at the AI, Data Center Visitor

IEEE Fellow Tom Coughlin discusses the technology needed to utilize facial authentication in a data center as well as the benefits of multi-factor authentication for data centers looking to invest in facial authentication technology.

We are Closer to Holographic Meetings than you Think

IEEE Senior member Babak Beheshti discusses how 5G and edge computing will help to enable holographic meetings of the future while IEEE member Todd Richmond comments on the importance of technological solutions that are equitable and sustainable.

COVID-19 Resources Hub

The Institute asked members who were using their technical know-how to fight the novel coronavirus to tell us about their projects. We received submissions from countries around the world, including Ecuador, Germany, India, Iran, Spain, Switzerland, Uganda, the United Kingdom, and the United States. Visit IEEE On the Front Lines to read about them.

IEEE Virtual Events Calendar provides an up-to-date listing of major upcoming events and those now available on demand.

5 Tips From Education Experts on Effective Remote Instruction

Solid learning objectives and assessing students are among the keys to success that were highlighted in a recent IEEE conference.

THE IEEE APP: Join 200,000 Like-Minded Professionals

With your help, the IEEE App recently reached a milestone: 200,000 downloads since November 2019. Thank you for your support and promotion of this important initiative!

IEEE Members can explore technology trends and stay connected to their tech community with the IEEE App in many ways:

Stay current with the latest news across IEEE technology topics
Read and download their IEEE magazines
Find, schedule, and join virtual meetups
Locate IEEE colleagues by location, interest, and affiliations
Get geo- and interest-based recommendations based on their profile

Attention Volunteers: Recently, new videos were developed as part of the marketing campaign for the IEEE App. These three promotional videos have been added to the IEEE App marketing toolkit as an additional resource to use in promotions. The videos highlight the IEEE App's key features, benefits, and can be used in social posts, in newsletters or on your website.

Once again, thank you for your support. Let's continue to spread the word on the value of the IEEE App.

Download the IEEE App Today

IEEE Frances B. Hugle Scholarship – Deadline: 1 November 2020

The IEEE Frances B. Hugle Scholarship was established to honor the memory of Frances B. Hugle, a pioneer in the development of tape-automated bonding, and to help provide resources for female engineers to follow in her footsteps. Annually, the scholarship is presented to one female IEEE Student Member. For details and eligibility requirements, visit the IEEE Women in Engineering website at https://wie.ieee.org/francesbhugle/.

Distance Learning, Technology, and STEM Education Virtual Events

Check out the latest virtual events hosted by IEEE Educational Activities. Engage with industry experts and innovators on the latest advancements in technology and engineering, eLearning, STEM education, and more.

Learn More

IEEE Tech Talk: IEEE 802 Networking Standards

The technical standards created by the IEEE 802 Local Area Networking/Metropolitan Area Network Standards Committee (LMSC) over the past 40 years have been essential in enabling suppliers of data communications components, products, systems, and services to be delivered economically at an immense scale.

The IEEE Virtual Tech Talk – IEEE 802 Network Standards Series will explore Connecting the World, the Ethernet Broadband Assessment, Industrial Ethernet, and more.

Next Session - 4 November 2020 | 9am ET
IEEE Virtual Tech Talk: IEEE 802 Networking Standards – WLAN Sensing
Register Now

Learn More

Engineering Education 2.0: Models, Methods and Techniques for Innovation

The first in a four-part series of webinars, this on-demand session is designed to equip participants with skills to apply best practices and understanding from current STEM higher-education research literature.

Presented by Dr. Arnold Pears, professor and Chair of the Department of Learning in Engineering Science at KTH Royal Institute of Technology; professor of computing education research at Uppsala University; and Director of the CeTUSS Swedish National Centre for Student and Societally Relevant Engineering Education-centric.

Watch It Now

Technical English: Strategies to Improve Workplace and School Success (21 October 2020 | 12pm ET)

Technical organizations today not only require professionals to excel at the technical side of their jobs but also expect that their technical staff demonstrate the ability to present and translate complex ideas in English. A basic level of English proficiency is not enough to become successful in today’s global technical workforce.

Fortunately, there’s a way to enable technical professionals whose first language is not English to improve their language skills in a way that fits the needs and priorities of working adults in technical fields.

In this virtual event, learn the importance of English language proficiency in a global workforce, the unique English language requirements for technical professionals and students, and much more.

New Course - Automotive Cyber Security

As the automotive industry continues to work on intelligent and autonomous vehicles, there is a need to better comprehend the safety and security of this connected technology. The IEEE 5-course program, Automotive Cyber Security: Protecting the Vehicular Network, aims to foster the discussion on automotive cyber security solutions and requirements for not only intelligent vehicles but also the infrastructure of intelligent transportation systems.

Check it out today on the IEEE Learning Network

IEEE Day ILN 10 for $10

The IEEE Learning Network (ILN) offers online self-paced courses taught by the world’s leading experts from IEEE. With many courses offering CEU and PDH credits, it is the perfect resource you can use to maintain your professional license while you are working from home.

In honor of IEEE Day 2020, IEEE Educational Activities is offering active IEEE professional and student members the following 10 courses for US$10 each with the code ILNIEEE2020!

Offer ends 31 October 2020

IEEE Fall 2020 Dataset Upload Contest is Now Open

Authors, researchers, and engineers around the world are using IEEE DataPort to make significant research advancements in a variety of fields, from applied machine learning to renewable energy. This research data platform has more than 500,000 users, nearly 2,000 datasets, and an active technical community.

If you’ve ever thought about uploading your research data to IEEE DataPort, now is the time. The Fall 2020 Dataset Upload Contest is now open. Anyone who uploads a dataset in October or November is eligible to enter the contest for a chance to win one of three great prizes – an iPhone 11 (first place), iPad Air (second place), or Apple Watch Series 6 (third place).

Entering is easy – just upload a standard or open access dataset on IEEE DataPort, read and agree to the contest rules during the upload process, and you’re in. IEEE DataPort accepts datasets in any format up to 2TB. Once uploaded, you can store your research data indefinitely on IEEE DataPort, obtain a DOI, link to a paper, generate citations, and more – all at no charge.

See contest details and enter to win

Learn More about IEEE Dataport

Listen to 2020 IEEE Medal Recipients’ Podcasts

Now you can listen to two 2020 IEEE Medal recipients participate in podcasts:

John von Neumann Medal recipient Michael I. Jordan discusses the economics of Machine Learning and the different perspectives of how he wishes ML be used but not misused. He also gives useful advice to YPs: https://twimlai.com/what-are-the-implications-of-algorithmic-thinking-with-michael-i-jordan/.

Frede Blaabjerg, Edison Medal recipient, discusses whether EVs are actually better for the environment, opportunities and implications silicon carbide and gallium nitride are bringing to the EV world, and what the future of the power industry may look like with the further adoption of these materials: https://www.embedded-computing.com/embedded-insiders/madpower.

Articles by 2020 IEEE Medal Recipients Now Available

Two fascinating articles from 2020 IEEE Medal recipients are now available online:

IEEE Theodore W. Hissey Outstanding Young Professional Award recipient Sampathkumar Veeraraghavan’s contributed article, “How can AI-powered humanitarian engineering tackle the biggest threats facing our planet?” has been published in TechForge’s AI News: https://artificialintelligence-news.com/2020/08/28/how-can-ai-powered-humanitarian-engineering-tackle-the-biggest-threats-facing-our-planet/.

IEEE Medal in Power Engineering recipient Rik W. De Doncker’s article, “The War of Currents / How DC Technology Lost the Battle 150 Years Ago, But May Win the War Exploiting its Full Potential Using Power Electronics in a Liberalized Energy Market” appears in Electric Energy magazine (https://electricenergyonline.com/energy/magazine/1276/article/the-war-of-currents.htm).

Must-read Article From a 2020 IEEE Medal Recipient Now Available Online

There’s a wealth of insightful commentary on the future of Artificial Intelligence by some of the 2020 IEEE Award honorees. According to 2020 IEEE Jack S. Kilby Signal Processing Medal recipient Ramalingam Chellappa, AI holds vast potential, yet there are ethical and other issues to be addressed. Read more in “It's Eternal Spring for AI / Why technical breakthroughs in the sensors-signals processing-decisions pipeline point to pervasive applications of AI” in Semiconductor Engineering (https://semiengineering.com/its-eternal-spring-for-ai/).

Resources for Volunteers

Webex Event User Guide available here
Interested in using Google Meet? Find out more at http://meet.google.com or send us an email at mga-im@ieee.org.
IEEE Center for Leadership Excellence (CLE)
Find volunteer training and resources in the IEEE CLE.
IEEE Learning Network
The IEEE Learning Network (ILN) gives members easy access to online learning content from across IEEE, all in one place. Browse hundreds of courses on core and emerging technologies, leadership skills, and more. Check out the weekly selection of courses that active IEEE members can purchase for US$10 each! See our discounted courses
Additional IEEE Virtual Events Resources
The following IEEE resources can also be useful for organizers looking to virtualize their events:
- IEEE.tv’s video on Recording Your Presentation with Zoom
- MGA’s vTools resources