NEWSLETTER
A House  Journal of
IEEE Kerala Section
Volume 12 Number 4
October - December 2003

Contents

Dairy of Events
Forthcoming Events
Chairman's Message
Section Activities
Impact of IT on Agriculture - N.T. Nair
IEEE Computer Society & PES
How to Face Interviews - GOLD
Women in Engineering
Editorial
Software System Testing - GOLD
Student Activities
Membership Development
Global News
Code of Ethics

---

Diary of Events

02-10-2003	IEEE Awareness Programme, at IE hall, Thiruvananthapuram organized by IEEE Kerala Section and GOLD Affinity Group.
06-10-2003	“Water and Sanitation for Cities”, by Solomen Fernandez, Deputy Chief Engineer, Kerala Water Authority, arranged by IE in connection with World habitat Day.
07-10-2003	Executive Committee Meeting of IEEE Kerala at Hotel Residency Towers, Thiruvananthapuram at 18.00 Hrs.
08-10-2033	“Is Kerala destined to loose continuously its vast Water Resources”, M.K. Parameswaran Nair, Former Member, Kerala State Electricity Board.
11-10-2003	Meeting of the Council/Section Chairmen of R10 of IEEE was held at Penang. R.Narayanan, Chairman represented the Kerala Section.
11-10-2003	A Workshop on “Group Discussions and Interviews” at College of Engineering, Chengannur, organized by GOLD, IEEE Kerala Section.
15-10-2003	“Innovations in Living Space”, N. Hariharan, Voluntary Consultant/Correspondent for NGO’s, Chennai.
14 to 17-10-2003	IEEE Tencon 2003, at Hotel Taj Residency, Bangalore. Main theme “Convergent Technologies for the Asia-Pacific”.
22-10-2003	“State Information Infrastructure for e-Governance”, Sasi P.M, C-DAC, Thiruvananthapuram.
30-10-2003	Felicitation of G. Madhavan Nair, Chairman, ISRO and Space Commission, GOI at IE Hall, Thiruvananthapuram at 18 Hrs by Swadesi Science Movement in association with other professional bodies.
01-11-2003	A Workshop on “Open Source Software for E-Governance”, organized with IT Mission Kerala in association with Department of Administrative Reforms and Personal Grievances, GOI at Hotel Residency Towers, Thiruvananthapuram. A Joint programme by professional bodies.
04-11-2003	A Seminar on “How to Face Corporate Interviews”, at University Institute of Technology, Neyyattinkara, Thiruvananthapuram organized by GOLD, IEEE Kerala Section.
05-11-2003	“Software Intellectual Property Right” by Amarnath Raja, InApp, Technopark, Thiruvananthapuram.
6 & 7-11-2003	Silver Jubilee Celebration Program of IEEE Calcutta Section at Hyatt Rejency Kolkata.
08-11-2003	“Small Hydro Power Technology & its Development”, a seminar organized by PES & Dept of EE, NIT Calicut.
11-11-2003	“Group Discussions and Interviews”, a workshop organized by IEEE GOLD and WIE at College of Engineering, Chengannur.
12-11-2003	“Outsourcing – The Emerging Business Trend”, N.T. Nair, CMS Computers, Thiruvananthapuram.
22-11-2003	“Software System Testing – a Statistical Approach”, a workshop organized by IEEE GOLD & IEEE Computer Society at CDAC, Thiruvananthapuram.
06-12-2003	Workshop on “GDs & Interviews – Build Your Skills” at TCS, Thiruvananthapuram, organized by WIE& IEEE Kerala.
12 to 14-12-2003	IEEE ACE 2003 – the 29th Annual Convention and Exhibition of IEEE India Council at Hotel Le Meridien, Pune. Main theme “Emerging Technology Trends”.
17-12-2003	“Energy Efficient Motors”, S. Mahadevan, Consultant, International Copper Promotion Council (India), Chennai, at IE Hall, Thiruvananthapuram.
18-12-2003	“EDA Tool as a bridge between Technical Colleges and Industry” a seminar organized by IEEE GOLD at CDAC, Thiruvananthapuram.
20-12-2003	Executive meeting of IEEE Kerala Section at Harmonieee, Thiruvananthapuram at 18.30 Hrs.

Top

Forthcoming Events
07-01-2004	“Enabling Malayalam in Computer”, a talk by K.G. Sulochana, Deputy Director (HDG), C-DAC, Thiruvananthapuram.
10-01-2004	Annual General Meeting 2003 of IEEE Kerala Section at 18.30 Hrs at Hotel Horizon, Thiruvananthapuram.
19, 20-12-2004	IEEE ACE 2004 at Kharagpur.

Top

Chairman’s Message

As I enter the category of Members-at-large, I was curious to know what exactly this phrase means. One meaning is “free from restraint or confinement” and another meaning is “representing a whole and not merely a part of it”. I liked the second meaning as I have communicated a lot on Systems Thinking in the earlier editions. It is a fashion among senior civil servants to write soon after their retirement about how their departments ought to function. No one questions them as to why they did not practice while in service what they preach after retirement. Even if someone questions, the answer will most likely be a list of constraints – again no one asks as to how these constraints will disappear when the successor takes charge. Much as I would like to stay clear of such a practice, I venture to mention some beginnings that need to be taken further.

Consistent with my pet theme that synchronizes well with my newly earned designation, the relationships among IEEE units in the section are quite “live” and need to be explored - Societies & chapters with GOLD, GOLD with Student Activities, Student Activities with Education, Societal linkage with Membership Development and so on. The relationships exhibit syntactically in terms of joint conduct of programs. But we have not been able to penetrate the deep semantic meaning of these relationships.

I had already communicated about measuring the outcome and not just the output of our initiatives – in terms of the vocabulary of Control engineers, it means measuring the lag parameters and not just the lead parameters. Our Section can make a big difference to the IEEE movement if we are able to do it. For instance it makes lot more sense to say that 42 GOLD members retained their membership because of GOLD initiatives than to say that 7 programs were conducted for GOLD members. Similar is the case with retention of Student Branches versus the number of student branches.

Among the unfinished agenda items that we will carry over are those related to Education and conversion of the Section into a Registered Society. As we move forward, we will add additional agenda items in sustaining the vibrancy of the Section.

Wishing all of you a very professionally delightful New Year.

R.Narayanan

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING -2003

The Annual General Meeting of IEEE Kerala Section is proposed to hold at 18.30 Hrs on 10th January 2004 at Hotel Horizon, Thiruvananthapuram.

SLATE for 2004

Chairman: E.E Rajakumar
Group Director
Computer & Information Group
VSSC, Thiruvananthapuram – 695 022.

Vice Chairman: Philip John
Managing Director
Ushus Technologies Pvt Ltd
311, Nila, Technopark – 695 581

Secretary: Sasi P.M
Joint Director
CDAC, Vellayambalam
Thiruvananthapuram – 695 033.

Treasurer: Meera. S
Assistant Consultant
TCS, Technopark Campus
Thiruvananthapuram – 695 581.

Leadership Recognition

The executive meeting of IEEE Kerala Section held on 07-10-2003 felicitated S.Meera and others in the team for achieving Leadership Recognition from IEEE R10 for GOLD affinity group of IEEE Kerala Section.

Congratulations !

Top

Section Activities

NEUROLOGICAL DISORDERS

On 07-05-2003 Vinod Thampi, Neurologist gave a talk on “Geriatric Neurological Disorders”. As an introduction he presented an overview of various illnesses affecting the central and peripheral nervous systems including age-related neuro-degenerative diseases. A brief mention of Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s Dementia, Strokes, Spinal disc diseases, Spondylosis, etc. was also made.

Symptoms and signs of disordered nervous system function are among the most frequent and complex in clinical medicine. A careful assessment of the character and pattern of the symptoms, their temporal profile, and associated complaints, together with focused neurological examinations, permit a conclusion to be reached among various alternatives.
It is a multidisciplinary-team-approach that looks at older patient’s functionality rather than in terms of specific organs, systems and diseases. Geriatrics requires integration throughout medicine.

Relevance of Science & Technology in Health
On 11-05-2003, C.R.Soman, a former professor of the Thiruvananthapuram Medical College and Chairman of Health Action by people made a presentation on the topic “Relevance of Science & Technology in Health”. P Radhakrishnan, Deputy Director, LPSC, ISRO Spoke on “Space Technology for Better Living”. N.T.Nair, Vice President (R&D), CMS Computers Ltd, addressed the gathering on “Impact of Electronics & Computers in Daily Life”. More than 250 school students from various schools in and around Thiruvananthapuram took active part in the deliberations.

BIO INFORMATICS
Amarnath Raja on 28-05-2003 gave a talk on “Bioinformatics” and explained its importance as the next revolution in information sciences. This in the strictest sense of the term is an extension of the molecular biology discipline. The biological data has been proliferating in public databases. It is now possible to do many of the calculations and alignments in-silico rather than using the complex procedures required for doing the same in-vitro. The Gene, DNA and proteins are now just doing the same in-vitro. The Gene, DNA and proteins are now just patterns that can be manipulated on a computer before actual test in the field.

Water – for two billion people
The topic “Water - two billion people are dying for it” was presented on 05-06-2003 in connection with the World Environment Day by K.R.S. Krishnan, Director, STEC. Water-body bears the brunt of the effects of pollution in all its forms. Water-quality is closely linked to water-quantity. Water resources must be developed and nurtured; horizontally integrated approach on a mission-made basis by all the concerned agencies is the need of the times.

WATER RESOURCES
V.R.Krishnan Nair on 18-06-2003 presented the paper on “Impoundment of Water Resources in Forest Eco-system”. Constructing dams in forest areas results in changes in the natural hydrology regime and leads to character setting in motion a series of environment degradations. India being a large country with a wide range of latitude topography, soil and climate has almost all important types of forests of the world spread over about 20% of its land area. Per capital forest area is 0.90 hectares. Kerala’s topographic and edaphic factors are quite favourable for luxuriant vegetation, with 24% of total geographical area under forests amounting to a per capita forest area of only 0.03 hectares.

Action, reaction and co-action of the forests and forest community through centuries of seedal existence have resulted in the coming-into being of the present-day forests. Submergence of forests affect biological diversity and water table causing degradation of forests around project site, disturbance to animals and fish, possibility of water-borne diseases, tribal displacement and seismic tremors. Economic growth and technological progress must be so planned as to cause the least negative impact to the environment.

SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
The topic “Sustainable Development: The concepts and issues” was presented on 25-06-2003 by K. Ravi, Advisor to the Kerala Chief Minister. Sustainable Development is a modern trans disciplinary philosophical concept. It evolved and emerged as a part of the Brand-land Report, “Our Common Future” in 1987. The concept of intra and inter generational equity was first focused-both environmental and economic sustainability. In 1992 at the U.N. conference held at Rio de Janeiro was produced the Rio Declaration on Environment and Development. Recently in 202 at Johannesburg, South Africa, a sustainable Development Summit was convened. This was a decade-phase stock-tacking and assessment of the progress since the Rio-Declaration.

The two schools of thought with regard to Environment – Development are Techno centrism and Eco-Centrism. The extreme views under these are cornucopian Techno centrism and Deep Ecology Ecocentrism respectively. But the philosophic origin of sustainable development is the contribution of those who pursued the middle courses, namely, Accommodating Techno centrism and Communalist Ecocentrism which aim at a healthy management of Man – Environment – Resources.

HARNESSING DAY LIGHT
K.K.Vasu gave a talk on “HARNESSING DAY LIGHT” on 02-07-2003. He explained on various techniques that can be used for exploring the day light in our day to day life. He also stressed on the design of buildings in such a way that the solar energy, light and heat, is used most advantageously.

EFFLUENTS FROM HOSPITALS
V. S. S Nair, Technical Consultant, Indian Medical Association presented the topic “Effluents from Hospitals – A major Public Health Hazard”, on 09-07-2003. Medical care contributes significantly to environmental pollution. Large scale use of highly developed medical and technical devices, especially disposables, has increased the waste products from hospitals. Natural as well as financial resources are coming under increasing pressure with the sophisticated treatment of patients. The electrical energy consumed in some major super specialty hospitals comes to more than 50 units per bed per day. The daily conception of water is about 500 litres per bed per day.

Several studies have shown that the effluents from hospitals contain large amount of pathogens. Hospital infection control similarly contributes to environment pollution by way of disinfectants, detergents, antibiotics, fed into the sewage. With about 1.5 lakh hospital beds in our state about 75ml of water is fed into the already soiled earth around us. Bacteria which we resist to most antibiotics are on the increase. Mutation of bacteria, creating new and unknown strains, has been proved to happen in effluents and sewages.
With almost no treating of sewage in our state, the contaminated effluents fed into sewage can create havoc with our environment. We live on top of a biological bomb.

BIOINFORMATICS
V.Thankamani, Head of Department, Dept of Bio-technology and Member, Syndicate, Kerala University presented the paper on “Bioinformatics – Application in Monitoring and Maintenance of Public Health” on 23-07-2003.

Bioinformatics is the application of information for understanding biology. In this era of Biotechnology there is an explosive pace of accumulation of knowledge faster than one can analyze and comprehend. Health has been defined by WHO as “a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely an absence of disease or infirmity”. Health has many dimensions. The maintenance of health is a major social investment involving responsibility at various levels from individual to global. Health may be marred by communicable diseases involving the various systems in the body and caused by bacteria, fungi, viruses, parasites such as tuberculosis, diphtheria, measles, chicken pox, cholera, typhoid, amoebic dysentery, dengue fever, malaria, Japanese encephalitis, rabies, rat fever, black fever, AIDS etc. There are a larger group of non communicable diseases and syndromes afflicting man such as heart disease, hypertension, blindness, cancer, diabetes etc. Some of the other factors affecting health are environment, nutrition, occupational hazard and genetic aspects.

Communicable diseases have been controlled very effectively through understanding biology of the causative micro organism, mode of transmission, pathogenesis and sensitivity to the antibiotics. Vaccines against massive killers have erased diseases like small pox. The challenges of this age are the non-communicable diseases and syndromes. Among these, many are genetic disorders caused by abnormal genetic material. The abnormalities could be in number or structure of chromosomes or specific genes. Some of the genetic/metabolic disorders are Turners’ syndrome, Downs’ syndrome, Haemophilia, colour blindness, phenyl ketone urea, super females, cancers etc. genetic disorders may be congenital or triggered by lethal rays, chemicals or viruses.

DNA is the chemical making up the chromosomes. Genes direct, control and regulate the synthesis of proteins. Proteins in turn are responsible for each character, normal or abnormal. The sequencing of DNA and proteins and the understanding of their functional properties provide the basis for early detection, treatment and prevention of genetic disorders to a very large extent. The advent of computers has revolutionized creation of data bases unraveling the structure and function of new sequences. There are several software packages which enable sequence analysis by pattern recognition, 3D structure, simulation, drug design, mathematical modeling etc. (BLAST and FASTA) Data bases provide valuable amount of statistical data on communicable diseases – prevention, control, environment – which can be accessed faster. Bioinformatics has opened a new era in medicine and therapy.

ROLE OF ENGINEERS
On 30-07-2003 a topic on “Role of Engineers in Sustainable Development” was presented by K.Ravi, Advisor to the Chief Minister of Kerala. Integrated sustainable development is achieved through a holistic approach socially, economically and ecologically. Environmental Sciences, Environmental Engineering, Environmental Medicine and Environmental Social Sciences form the disciplinary inputs for Sustainable Development and Environmental Planning. Sustainability of resources must be the aim in the role played by engineers in sustainable development in areas such as Agriculture, Industry, Habitat Systems, Transportation & Communication and Energy Development. The goal is to achieve development that meets the needs of the future generations to meet their own needs.

ENERGY MANAGEMENT
P.S.Chandramohnan Nair, Professor of Electrical Engineering (P.G.Studies) College of Engineering, Thiruvannathapuram gave a talk on 06-08-2003 on “Energy Management for Sustainable Management”. Nature has provided abundant resources to human kind and other bio-deserts for sustenance. Sustainable development is possible only if humanity draws its requirements from ecological capital judiciously.

While it is possible to meet the 2000 to 3000 k cal/day energy requirement of the human body for its work and metabolic activities through an equivalent intake of food, most citizens of energy intensive cities use more than 100 times that required for survival. Nature took about 300 to 600 million years for the formation of fossil fuel resources, and that is being depleted over the span of a few hundred years. Dependence, on fossil fuel must be reduced and renewable energy sources such as solar, hydro, wind and ocean energy more productively utilized.

Energy management must be practiced at homes, farms and factories. Energy conservation results in immediate availability of energy and it increases energy services with available quantity of energy. Barriers to energy conservation options must be identified and overcome.

KARNATIC MUSIC
“The Chromatic Scale, Micronality and Implications for Karnatic Music” was the topic presented by Satish Babu, In App, Technopark, Thiruvannathapuram on 13-08-2003. The Chromatic Scale, consisting of 12 semitones, is today a universal feature of music, irrespective of the system of music The arrival of chromatic scale, as standardized in the 20th century has subtly impacted Indian music and in particular, Karnatic music. This lecture demonstration examined the physics of Chromatic Scale, its ab-intio evolution, changes that the chromatic scale underwent until the arrival of the equi-tempered tuning and impact of this on Karnatic music.

IRRIGATION MANAGEMENT
On 20-08-2003, George Chackacherry, Scientist, CWRDM presented “Strategy for the Implementation of Participatory Irrigation Management in Kerala”. Participatory Irrigation Management (PIM) is an attempt to increase farmers’ direct involvement in irrigation management, which ultimately results in the transfer of authority and responsibilities from governments, either full or part, to farmer organizations. In the minor irrigation sector, the ‘the transfer’ is full, and in the major/medium irrigation systems, with the state responsible for more tasks at higher levels of the system (main system), and farmer organizations responsible for more at lower levels (branch canal/distributory level). Efforts to bring transfer of management and PIM are often initiated by governments because of shortage of funds to maintain and manage the irrigation systems, inability to collect the water charges from farmers and poor record management performance.

Command area development authority (CADA) in Kerala has formed about 4,000 outlet-based farmer associations in the completed irrigation commands, in addition to several canal committees, and project committees. The PIM implementation agency will at the apex level organization. Opportunity for women involvement is given through inducting spouses of landowners in the farmer organizations. The recently enacted irrigation law has given legal sanctity for PIM in Kerala.

Top

Impact of IT on Agriculture -The American Scenario

Compiled by: N.T.Nair, Editor, IEEE India Bulletin

Computers, satellites and microchips are giving American farmers better information and making machinery smarter and more powerful to get the most from every input in the agriculture sector. From the Global Positioning System (GPS) to fiber optics to computer-driven harvesters, U.S. farmers and ranchers use the highest level of technology and are among the most efficient producers in the world. For consumers, this technology means higher quality food at a lower cost.

Today's tractors are easier to use and can do more for the farmer. Tractors have better visibility, including improved lighting systems for night time work and sophisticated fingertip controls that allow farmers to adjust quickly to changing field conditions. Farmers are making tractors smarter by equipping them to utilize the GPS. Originally developed by the military to navigate U.S. submarines, the GPS uses 24 satellites orbiting 12,000 miles above the Earth's surface to calculate a tractor's exact position in the field.

Using the GPS and sensors in the field, farmers can harvest, along with their crops, detailed digital maps of their fields, plotting slope, soil type, moisture, historical yield, and weed and insect problems. Information is collected on portions of the field as small as 18 inches. Farmers use these maps to program computers attached to variable rate equipment that modifies the application rate of all inputs such as tillage, seeds, fertilizer, herbicides and irrigation water. Precise application reduces waste and improves yield.

Livestock producers are also using computers to get better information about their operations. Computer chips imbedded in the animal's ear can monitor growth and production. A farmer with 5,000 dairy cows can easily monitor milk production and health records, scanning the chip as a cow enters the milking facility to automatically weigh and deliver an individually formulated feed ration.

Computers help producers monitor and respond to weather variability on a day-to-day basis. Solar-powered weather stations in the field can be hooked up to a farmer's computer to relay information about current air and soil temperature, precipitation, relative humidity, leaf wetness, soil moisture, day length, wind speed and solar radiation.

The Internet is increasing communication and business opportunities within the agricultural community, which previously operated in the relative isolation of rural areas. Farmers, agricultural researchers, suppliers and buyers use the Internet to exchange ideas and information, as well as to conduct business with each other. Machinery, seed chemicals and other types of agricultural products can be purchased and sold online. People can search for jobs and employees.

Producers use the Internet to monitor prices quickly and as often as they like. Farmers from around the world can exchange ideas, post questions and get answers about specific topics, ranging from marketing and investing to tips on "no-till" farming.

Computers increase the amount of information farmers can process, from details on day-to-day operations to the latest research on new chemicals or biological breakthroughs. The computer allows farmers to study alternate management decisions.

Top

IEEE Computer Society

The Computer Society of IEEE Kerala Section organized two workshops (half day each) and two Technical Talks (one hour each) in the year 2003. Also one talk was given at Chenganoor Engineering College. The details of the activities are given below:

Date	Topic	Speaker	Venue
05-02-2003	ATM Network Traffic Congestion Control Using Neural Networks (Talk)	N.Sundarajan	TCS, Tvpm
28-02-2003	Security of Adhoc Wireless Networks (Talk)	V Alagar	CDAC, Tvpm
28-02-2003	Introduction to CMM and CMMi (Talk)	Sebastian Antony Ukken	College of Engg Chenganoor
05-04-2003*	Pragmatic Project Management (Workshop)	C Brajesh QPMP	CDAC, Tvpm
22-11-2003*	Software System Testing:A Statistical Approach (Workshop)	Deepa Thampy & Unni Sankar	CDAC, Tvpm

(*in collaboration with IEEE Gold)

Power Engineering Society (PES)

Small Hydro Power Technology and its development

A seminar on “Small Hydro Power Technology & Its development” was organized on 8th November 2003 at National Institute of Technology, Calicut in association with its Department of Electrical Engineering. V.K.Damodaran (former Director, Energy Management Centre & Managing Director, International Network on Small Hydro Power, Hangzhou, China), E.J.James (Executive Director, Centre for Water Resource Development and Management, Kerala), R.Devarajan (Chief Engineer Generation, KSEB) have made presentations.

V.K.Damodaran talked on “SHP and the Developing Countries in Asia and Africa, with special reference to India – Problems and Prospects”. He has pointed the importance of small hydel power stations for India especially Kerala where there are a large number of small and medium rivers, small hill ranges. He told that INSHIP, China has developed a model for Triangular Cooperation between developing countries, developed countries and international organizations for the implementation of SHP. Economics / cost effectiveness, stand alone with seasonality, asset management, conflict of interests regarding resources, power flow, power quality, training requirements for SHP implementation were discussed by him in detail.

E.J.James presented the “Relevance of Hydrological Investigation for SHP projects”. In his speech, several case studies conducted for India especially Kerala were discussed. SHIP-Practice in Kerala with different project data was presented by R.Devarajan. The seminar started at 9.30 Hrs. with inaugural address by T.L.Jose (Director-in-Charge, NIT Calicut. Simon P Varghese (President, IEEE-PES Kerala) facilitated the function. P.C.Baby (Head, Electrical Engg. Dept.) welcomed the gathering and Ashok S. (Faculty, Electrical Engg. Dept. & Secretary, IEEE-PES Kerala) delivered the vote of thanks.

About 110 delegates (including 4 Chinese technical experts working in SHP Kerala projects and 22 outside guests) participated the seminar.

Top

GOLD
Seminar on
How to Face Corporate Interviews

Activities at Neyyattinkara, Thiruvananthapuram

A Seminar on “How to Face Corporate Interviews” was organized by IEEE GOLD (Graduates of Last Decade) on 04 November 2003 at the University Institute of Technology, (University of Kerala), Neyyattinkara, Thiruvananthapuram.The speaker was Aju Thomas Abraham, Chairman of the GOLD Affinity Group, Kerala Section.

There were a total of 80 participants who were non members. They were of different disciplines - Computer Science and Business Administration. The program began 10:30 Hrs with a speech by one Student Representative welcoming all the participants and the speaker. Then Aju Thomas Abraham started the session by taking a session on the “main objectives” of an interview. After this there was an orientation session on focusing on the “right resume”. This was followed by a session on “How to target the right company”. Along with this he introduced IEEE, GOLD and its activities to the students. Then he took a session on “Personal Grooming”. The feedback received was very good. The colleges want to conduct similar sessions around their region and have approached the IEEE Kerala Section for the same.

Become a Member of IEEE

IEEE – Opening the World of Technology

Members Renew your Membership
Hurry UP !

HOW TO CONTACT THE IEEE

IEEE Operations Center
445 Hoes Lane, PO Box 1331
Piscataway, NJ 08855 – 1331, USA

Visit the Web site at: www.ieee.org

or
Contact: IEEE Kerala Section, Thiruvananthapuram.

Top

Workshop on GDs & Interviews – Build Your Skills

WIE -IEEE Women in Engineering

A workshop on “GDs & Interviews – Build Your Skills” was organized by Women in Engineering Chapter of IEEE Kerala Section on 6th December 2003 from 9.00Hrs to 13.30 Hrs at Tata Consultancy Services, Technopark, Thiruvananthapuram.
(3 Photos)

Top

Editorial

Youth is the power source of the society. The future of the nation is always wrought by this power. Most ambitious experiment of transforming a stratified society into an egalitarian, prosperous, modern one has full participation and involvement of this sector. To realize the inherent intellectual and economic potential there is no need of coming a long way from the time or history. One must think about the current situation we often witness in the society, created by the youth. We should be extremely cautious in preventing the inclination of this group towards the destructive rather than the constructive performance in the society. Sullying the reputation is easy than showing the values of punctuality, self-respect, integrity, cleanliness, political awareness, etc.

Education is a major phase to develop many qualities that build up empowerment to face unexpected happenings in every life. Heavy catastrophes and heavier responsibilities come to his head in their future. The unbearable become painfully bearable. Every such misfortune has lamented and the person is moaned on the insoluble problems and the hurdles. Even if the problems are solved, responsibility has to be developed to change his lifestyle. Man always has a choice before him. Analysing the responsibility and choose the apt is the success before him. One must act on the situation and to flow with the stream and reach the goal at the end. Another choice before him is to swim upstream and reach the goal quickly. The choice depends on the qualities and responsibilities developed in the youth period.

The mind of a precocious youth should have a great aim. Such young aspirant will always elegant in doing right thing avoiding the wrong motive. This helps him to rise with the circumstances and grab remarkable achievements. These achievements are the fruits of his ambition. At the same time, in a society where ambition is frowned upon, the result is deplorable. This is one of the reasons for the unrest situation often seen among the youth. Ambition only leads them to work and achieve greater accomplishments. When one discourages ambition in him, he loses enthusiasm, his achievements are dwarfed and leads to unrest situations.

Confidence is another factor needed to face the challenges of this competitive world. Without realizing a plethora of opportunities around him, they are unable to appreciate human values and they take to the ways of loafers. Mobilising similar groups, politicians make use of these opportunities of the youth for their narrow political gains. They take notice of them or their endowment and utilize them for destructive purposes. In this situation the ability in doing right thing and avoid wrong motive has been lost. In the process values are eroded. They lose self confidence, capabilities and responsibilities. What is lost is lost and can never be restored.

Extra-curricular activities in the academic level will help to reach the area of instinctive fitness that exists deep within each one in addition to the development of intelligence, memory, will power and concentration. There are different programmes to develop personality, communication skills, and other talents in addition to those to strengthen the muscles. It is very rewarding to see that those who participated in such activities show transformation in their abilities considerably. Rejuvenating endocrine system and hidden potential of every person will make them physically and psychologically competent, hard working and resourceful. It is a great spur to progress in the behavioral pattern among youth to remarkable achievement results a lot of transformation in the society.

Quite often, to draw the attention of the youth to think, innovate and discover ways and means towards creative activities, steps are necessitated especially to build up enthusiasm and confidence. ‘Learning to earn, while yearning to learn’ is a global technique practiced by the youth especially in overseas countries even at their school or college life. The method adopted may be different. They could think exhaustively to strike on ideas for implementing any job independently or in a small group. Free hours, holidays and vacations could be used for the purpose. The advancement in the IT area and other service sectors opens suitable vocations in this line. One should deeply engross in what is needed along the way in his life. This will not only help them to earn but learn how to deal and interact with people in addition to the discovery their own capabilities. Even the youth from affluent background could be attracted in this way to get experience that is priceless and also to morph into a lifelong fervor.

Professional associations have a role to play in shaping the youth of our country. In this context, the initiative and professional spirit behind GOLD Affinity Group under IEEE Kerala Section is laudable. Its activities along with student chapters witnessed in the current year are far ahead when compared to the activities of any other similar organizations in moulding creative talents in youth. As the dawn of the New Year appears in the horizon, we have to beckon with new agenda full of youth promotion programmes for achieving a colourful performance in 2004 too.

K.Gopalan Nair

Top

Workshop on GOLD
Software System Testing – A Statistical Approach

A workshop on “Software System Testing - A Statistical Approach” was organized by IEEE Computer Society and IEEE GOLD (Graduates Of Last Decade) on November 22, 2003 at CDAC Thiruvananthapuram. The speakers were Deepa Thampy and Unni Shankar, both of “NeST” Company, Thiruvananthapuram.

The program began 9:30 Hrs. with Aju Thomas Abraham, Chairman, GOLD Affinity Group, Kerala Section, welcoming the audience. Thomas pointed out the increasing relevance of Software Testing in a fiercely competitive market place. Unni Shankar started by introducing the concepts of traditional Software Testing. An overview on the traditional methods of testing including the Black Box Method, White Box Method, Mutation Testing, Binomial Trials and Sample Test Chain was then discussed.

After the tea break, the next session was taken by Deepa Thampy who introduced the concepts of Statistical Methods in Software Testing. Design of Experiments were also covered and then the “Taguchi Methods” used in Testing were also introduced. Also Orthogonal Property, Full Factorial, method, “One Factor at a Time” methods was also discussed. Exercises were also given to understand the Statistical Approach in Software Testing.

At the end of the session, the Vote of Thanks was delivered by Koshy P. Vaidyan, Member IEEE-GOLD. The total attendance for the workshop stood at 65 with 18 members and 47 non-members, with representation from all top organizations in the city (VSSC, ER&DC, CMD, TCS, NeST, US Software, among others). Feedback collected overwhelmingly suggests that the session has been highly useful in their day-to-day work.

GOLD
Seminar on
Bridge between Technical Colleges and Industry

A seminar on “EDA Tool as a bridge between Technical Colleges and Industry” was organized by IEEE GOLD (Graduates of Last Decade) on 18 December 2003 at CDAC (ER&DCI), Vellayambalam, Thiruvananthapuram. The speaker was Roman Knoll, Head, R&D, Visionics Group of Companies, Sweden.

There were a total of 40 participants of which 35 were non members and 5 were members of the IEEE. The participants were mostly of the academic community and the industrial fraternity.

The program began 18.00 Hrs with a welcome address by Aju Thomas Abraham, Chairman, GOLD Affinity Group, Kerala Section. He welcomed all the participants and the speaker to the event. Then Roman Knoll started the session by pointing out certain improvements that could be brought about in the syllabi of various universities around Kerala. Being an employer in Kerala for the last eight years, with the Visionics group of companies, in Technopark, Thiruvananthapuram, he pointed out the errors that he came across while interviewing prospective new employees of his company. He then brought out the need to introduce EDA (Electronic Design Automation) Tools as a bridge between the universities and the industry.

The feedback received was very good. The participants wanted to conduct similar programs for the industry and academic community more often.

Top

STUDENT ACTIVITIES

College of Engineering, Chengannur - Annual Report

The Student Branch saw a very active year under the able leadership of

C V Anil Kumar	-	Student Counselor
Dipu Jose	-	Chairman
Siby John	-	Vice Chairman
Vinod Kumar	-	Secretary
Alan George	-	Treasurer
Prijoe Philips	-	Librarian

The activities of the year 2003 flagged off by attending the ‘life skill development programme’ organized by the IEEE Gold at TCS, Techno Park on 26th January. Twenty-two student members of our college attended the program enthusiastically and returned with great feedback about the program. It turned out to be a great membership drive among the students. The branch appreciates the efforts of IEEE Gold for the efforts to uplift the student community.

A few seminars held in February. Almost 25 students utilised the IEEE library especially for this purpose, and took various seminars on topics like ‘Augmented Reality’ and ‘Internet Security’. This turned to be a turning point of utilization of the library; moreover, it helped in widening the ideas and knowledge of the students who attended the seminars. As a part of the tenth anniversary of our College, a three-day technical festival, DEADIO, was conducted on 1st March. The first day was comprised of seminars conducted by the IEEE student branch as Students Technical Awareness Congress (STAC). Eminent speakers from all around Kerala took wonderful sessions on topics like Image Processing, CMM and CMMI. Students from all colleges attended the above sessions and gave a very positive feedback.

Centre of Excellence (a grant up to five thousand US dollars to setup a robotics lab in our college, in order the IEEE student members shall have a greater a exposure to technical projects) was confirmed from the head quarters of IEEE. Further correspondence is still in progress, and we expect to bring our dream into a reality soon. IEEE Robotics Initiative (IRI) was another novel idea put forward by the student branch. As a start, a group of six members headed by Dipu Jose and Anil Ramachandran, were successful in completing a robotics project and winning 2nd prize in Project Development at All India Students Conference conducted by ISTE recently. Since then, five fabulous projects were undertaken for the second year students. This helped to elaborate their ideas on various fields of technology. Anil Ramachandran won first prize for All India QUIZ held at the All India Student Conference by ISTE.

IEEE GOLD helped in conducting a session on mock interview and group discussions, on October 11. It was conducted as an inter-collegiate programme; this helped to enlighten the spirits of many who attended. It also enlightened many IEEE student branches to bring up similar programs in their student branch. Integrating numerous student branches was another proposal that put forward by our student branch, which the Kerala Section welcomed. As part of the above, Prijoe Philips is currently coordinating the task. Women in Engineering (WiE), an Affinity Group of IEEE, was setup as a part of the cause for the uplift of women in the society. Deepa R.S helped in setting up the Affinity Group in our college. Riji Jayaraj identified as the coordinator of WiE of our college.

Last year our student branch comprised of 96 members. We received a rebate of 110 Dollars. The Student branch actively conducts a lot of IT related courses and session for the new members, in order to spread IT awareness amongst new minds.

The Branch executive committee for the year 2004 comprises of the following members:

Nisha Kuruvila	-	Student Counselor
Sibi John	-	Chairman
Gigin Jose	-	Vice Chairman
Harith W F	-	Secretary
Alan George	-	Treasurer
Jason John	-	Librarian
Prijoe Philips	-	Public Relations

The branch looks forward to another fruitful period in the coming year.

Secretary

Local Integrated Network Student Activities in Kerala

L I N K

The IEEE Student Branch of the College of Engineering, Chengannur has been coordinating the efforts to collate all the IEEE branches of the colleges within the locality. Currently two colleges have come under the banner of ‘IEEE Link’, namely College of Engineering, Adoor and Federal Institute of Science and Technology, Angamali. Within the next couple of months another five colleges are in the process of streamlining their branches to come in line with ‘Link’.

The main motto behind Link is to bring together all the branches to coordinate the interaction between several branches, provide any possible means of help to sister-branches and to give more value for being an IEEE member, by cross sharing of Knowledge. Whenever a technical program being hosted by the IEEE Branch of one of the member branches of Link comes up, the other members of Link are informed, and special seats are reserved for the delegates of the visiting colleges.

As more branches join within the banner of Link, the benefits of mustering will surely increase.

GOLD
Workshop on WIE & Group Discussions and Interviews

A workshop on “Group Discussions and Interviews” was organized by IEEE GOLD (Graduates of Last Decade) and Women in Engineering on 11 October 2003 at College of Engineering, Chengannur, Kerala, India. The speakers were Pramod Chandrashekar, Aju Thomas Abraham, Shilpa A. Rajan, Deepthi R, Ratish Ravindran and Deepa R. S.

There were a total of 96 participants who attended including 89 students, 6 faculty members and 1 IEEE Staff Counselor. 25 of these students were non members.

The program began 10:00 Hrs with Aju Thomas Abraham, Chairman, GOLD Affinity Group, IEEE Kerala Section, welcoming the audience and giving an introduction on GOLD and its activities to the students. Then Pramod Chandrasekhar began with various interview concepts like stress interviews and other interviews. After this session, there was a tea break. After this Shilpa A. Rajan, continued with the “common mistakes” those are found during an interview. This was followed by a session on “How to orient oneself on resume writing and corporate interviews” to get into an Information Technology Company. This was taken by Aju Thomas Abraham. After this there was a “mock” Interview panel and 5 participants were interviewed, after which they were instructed on which areas, they could perform better. There was then, a talk by Deepa R. for the Women in Engineering at this time.

The afternoon session started with Deepthi R. introducing the concepts of Group Discussions, “Why companies use Group Discussions?”, “What are evaluated during a Group Discussion?”, and “How to do a Group Discussion?”. Then there was a “mock” Group Discussion session where students participated and found out where they could improve in Group Discussions.

The feedback received was very good. The colleges around Chengannur have expressed their keenness to conduct similar sessions and have approached the IEEE Kerala Section for the same.

Top

Report on Membership Development
K Rajgopal, Vice Chair Membership Develoment,
India Council

Total membership in the India Council including all grades is 20029 down from January 2003 of 26116. Student and Higher Grade Membership is 47.925% (59% in Jan) and 52.075% (41% in Jan) respectively which can be considered as a good distribution. However, this ratio is widely different among the sections.

Madras Section has the lowest percentage for Member Grade and Higher Grade Membership followed by Kerala closely behind. Bombay Section has the highest number of Student (3612, 5554 in Jan) and Higher Grade Members (2803, 2258 in Jan) followed by Madras (2474, 1419) (3969,1600 in Jan). Bombay Section constitutes 32% (31% in Jan) of India Council strength followed by Madras at 19.4% (21.3% in Jan). Together the two sections constitute 50% (52.3% in Jan) of the IC strength. Delhi has highest number of SM (137, 140 in Jan) followed by Bangalore (116, 97 in Jan), both crossing hundred mark.

SM grade percentage should be between 5-10% (IC-3.17%) of total membership. Kharagpur Section has highest at 21.7%. Among other sections, Delhi leads with 7.8%. Fellow Grade percentage should be 1% (IC-0.13%) of total membership. No section is anywhere close to this figure.

Target - IC should aim to cross 1000 mark in 2004 for SM membership. Fellow grade target of 60 (currently 30) should be achieved in next 5 years. IC should identify potential members for Fellow nomination very seriously with help of current Fellows and Senior Members. To improve the student activities, training programs, technical and educational activities and services, the sections should make a conscious effort and a working plan for the year. This will help in graduation of student members to higher grade members. In particular, the sections having very large student membership and number of student branches, I recommend formation of a team in the executive committee under student activity chair (one per 1000 student members or one per 20 student branches) and divide the activities.

I recommend initiating a new program under each section to target 12th standard/II PU students and expose (expose them to new research tools and technologies at the cutting edge) them to research culture with the help of our distinguished Fellows and Senior Members.\

An Appeal

Marco Liserre
IEEE - IES Student Activities Committee Chair

Dear colleague,

I would like to check if in your chapter you have an IES student chapter and if not I would like to invite you to promote an IES - Student Chapter. In the past years the Industrial Electronics Society has promoted two successful student activities:

We would like to enlarge these activities and for that aim you are kindly invited to help us in forming an international IES Student Activity Committee.

Thank you
Best regards
Macro

Contact address:
Ing. Marco Liserre
IEEE - IES Student Activities Committee Chair
IEEE-ISIE'2004 Student Forum Co-Chairman
Politecnico di Bari - Dipartimento di Elettrotecnica ed Elettronica
via E. Orabona 4 - 70125 - Bari - ITALY
tel: +39 0805963433 fax: +39 0805963410
e-mail: liserre@ieee.org
http://www-dee.poliba.it/dee-web/Ricerca/lab-converter/staff/liserre.htm

Top

GLOBAL NEWS

– News Around IEEEE

IEEE President-Elect
W. Cleon Anderson has been selected as the 2004 IEEE President-Elect, pending acceptance later this month of the Teller Committee's report by the IEEE Board of Directors. Anderson will begin serving as IEEE President on 1 January 2005.

Member Digital Library Expands
The IEEE Member Digital Library now offers subscribers access to all articles from IEEE journals, conference proceedings, and magazines that are available through IEEE Xplore, some dating back to 1950. Previously, subscribers could access only the past five years of articles.

Design of Future City
Engineers are needed to mentor students participating in the annual Future City Competition. Sponsored as part of U.S. National Engineers Week 2004, which will take place 22-28 February, the competition calls for teams of students to simulate the design of a city and then build a model of it.

GOLD Mixes Fun
Paintball tournaments, ski trips, and major league baseball games typically are not part of IEEE meetings. But the Boston Graduates of the Last Decade Affinity Group isn't your typical group, either. They have found a way to increase their meeting attendance by mixing fun with the fundamentals.

Join IEEE - Benefits
If you're trying to recruit new members, but struggle to explain all the benefits of the IEEE, the new "Join IEEE" Web site can help you. The site explains IEEE services and benefits, spells out the organization's scope and value, and describes the organization's 38 societies.

Deadline for Fellow Nominations
The deadline to submit nominations for IEEE Fellow is 15 March 2004. To make it easier to nominate someone, the paperwork can now be submitted electronically through a new feature called the Electronic Fellow Nomination Process.

Students Travel the Ethical Road
Ethics, or the lack of it, has brought a lot of business big shots into the courtroom lately. Many wonder whether business schools even teach ethics. Within the IEEE, some wonder just how far ethical considerations are imbued in students of engineering. To gain insight, the IEEE St. Louis Section (Missouri, USA) sponsored a competition centered around ethical considerations.

Conference Attracts Researchers to Magnets
Coming in January, the 9th Joint International Magnetics and Magnetism and Magnetic Materials Conference, better known as the Joint Intermag MMM, will feature the latest applications of magnetics to such areas as nanotechnology, biomedicine, and spintronics.

2003 Magnetics Conference Proceedings
The conference proceedings of the 2003 Intermag meeting will help get you up to speed on the latest advances in the magnetics field. Last year's conference covered topics ranging from magnetic semiconductors, transformers, and motors to micromagnetics, nanocrystalline materials,and magnetic sensors. The proceedings are available through the IEEE Online Catalog & Store at <http://shop.ieee.org>

Canadian Students Method
Student Members in Canada have found new ways to attract high school students to the field of biomedical engineering and to the IEEE. Visit: IEEE Website.

Deadline Extended for Competition
The deadline for entries in the 5th annual Computer Society International Design Competition has been extended to 2 December. This year's theme is "Making the World a Safer Place." The goal is to advance excellence in education by having student teams design and implement computer-based solutions to real-world problems.

See Your Awards, Honors, etc
If you've received an award or other recognition from your government or employer, let other members know about it by notifying The Institute. Every month The Institute publishes notices of IEEE members' achievements in government, academia, and industry. Submissions should contain the member's name, city, state or province, country, IEEE membership grade, the name of the recognition, and its significance, if appropriate.

Register and Get a Free Posting
During November, register the name of your organization's recruitment manager at <http://www.spectrum.ieee.org/jobsite/hrmanagerform> and your group will receive one free "Help Wanted" job posting for 30 days. The IEEE Job Site staff will contact each manager to help prepare the listing. The IEEE Job Site is at <http://www.ieee.org/jobs>

When Disaster Strikes, IEEE Members Take Action
Wilderness survival skills were not part of Member Charles H.Chapman's job description as a NASA computer engineer, but that changed last February when he found himself combing the rugged east Texas terrain for debris from the NASA space shuttle Columbia.

Renew Your Membership
Renewing your IEEE membership online for 2004 can be a quick-and-simple process. Check out the renewal Web site, which also provides details on the 38 IEEE Societies, membership benefits, publications, and the Member Digital Library. Members often ask what their dues pay for, especially during the yearly membership renewal period currently in progress. You'll find a breakdown of the activities that dues support by visiting <http://www.theinstitute.ieee.org.

IEEE Makes Finding a Job Less of a Job
Whether you're a recent graduate seeking a first job or a seasoned technical professional looking for a new position, you face some hard challenges in today's tight labor market. A wealth of employment and career resources gathered by the IEEE can help simplify the search.

Be a Mentor: Help Shape Future Engineers
The VINNY competition needs mentors for teams of school children creating one-minute videos about science, technology, or math. Details about the competition, sponsored by the IEEE, NASA, and Christopher Newport University in Newport News, USA.

IEEE Publications Stand Out in U.S. Patents
References to IEEE papers in information technology patents have increased 267 percent in the last 10 years, according to a report that analyzed the citations. Find out why the papers are so popular at <http://www.theinstitute.ieee.org.

The Institute Seeks Engineering Entrepreneurs
Have you started your own engineering or technology business? If so, we'd like to speak to you about your experiences for an upcoming article on members who are entrepreneurs.

IEEE Network Magazine Tops
For the second year in a row, IEEE Network magazine topped the list of telecommunications journals that other scientific publications cite most often, according to the Institute for Scientific Information's (ISI's) "2002 Journal Citation Reports -- Science Edition." The bimonthly magazine for the first time also captured the top spot for citations in two other journal categories: electrical and electronics engineering, and computer science information systems. Read about how other IEEE publications are ranked at
<http://www.theinstitute.ieee.org.

Needed: Student Teams to Solve Real-World Problems
If you can dream up a device to help make the world safer, your team could win US$15 000. Teams of university students throughout the world are invited to participate in the 2004 IEEE Computer Society International Design Competition, an annual challenge in which teams of undergraduate engineering students design - from inception to prototype - a special-purpose, computer-based device that solves a real-world problem. Proposals are due by 1 November.

Virtual Community for Volunteers Proves Valuable Tool
To say that keeping the more than 1800 IEEE Sections, Chapters, and Affinity Groups around the world connected is a challenge is an understatement. A new tool on the Internet from IEEE Regional Activities keeps conversations and information flowing. To learn more, visit <http://www.theinstitute.ieee.org.

Evaluators Wanted to Review Engineering Education Programs
The IEEE Educational Activities Board is seeking professionals – especially from industry and government -- to serve as evaluators of undergraduate engineering programs in the United States. The evaluations help ensure that future generations of engineers will receive a quality education. Deadline for receipt of completed applications is 15 November. <http://www.theinstitute.ieee.org.

New IEEE Fellows from India
The four distinguished Senior members H.L Bajaj, S. Ramadorai, Surendra Pal, P. Jalote have been elected to the highest member grade of IEEE Fellow with effect from 01-01-2004 recognizing their activities. Each year, following a rigorous evaluation procedure, the IEEE Fellow Committee recommends a select group of recipients for one of the Institute’s most prestigious honours, election to IEEE Fellow. Recognizing the achievements of its members is an important part of the mission of the IEEE.
Congratulations!

M.V. Chauhan Students’ Paper Contest 2003 – Results

First Prize: Viswanathan V.V.B, Thiagarajar College of Engineering, Madurai – “Traffic Surveillance and Crime Investigation Using Techniques Inspired from Nature”.

Second Prize: Krishna A.G, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore – “Music Instrument Recognition: From Notes to Solo Phrases”.

Third Prize: Badhrinarayanan M.V, Jananrthanan R and Mohan C.K, PSG College of Technology, Coimbatore – “A Novel System of Speaker Independent Isolated Word Recognition”.

Other fifteen papers were recommended for Merit Certificates. The top three prize winners got chance to present their papers at the ACE-2003 held at Pune. For the contest this year, fifty seven papers from thirty three Institutions were received. Participants ranged from under graduates to research scholars. Each paper was read and evaluated by four judges.

Congratulations to the winners!
Seeing the Invisible IEEE Leads the way in Medical Imaging through its technical societies, special issues of publications, and conferences and symposia, the IEEE has helped to bring forward technological advances in medical imaging.

IEEE Spectrum Editors Panels
IEEE Spectrum and the Consumer Electronics Association will present three educational panels at the 2004 Consumer Electronics Show to be held 8-11 January in Las Vegas, Nev., USA. Moderated by IEEE Spectrum editors Harry Goldstein, Glenn Zorpette, and Tekla Perry, the panels will present the latest information on 3D displays, portable music and video systems, and new applications for gallium nitride chips.

FREE 3D Skills Info Kit
Learn how the 3D Skills Program from SolidWorks can advance your career. The Info Kit provides details about the program, which offers you a free hands-on introductory session and a seat of Solid Works Personal Edition software at no charge. Request your free Info Kit today!

Circuits Take Center Stage at Conference
A retinal prosthesis, faster Internet connections, and the largest on-chip cache ever built are just three of the new applications for integrated circuits to be described at the 2004 International Solid-State Circuits conference being held from 14 to 19 February in San Francisco, USA.

Solid-State Circuit Conference Proceedings
Now Available Groundbreaking research in microchips was also showcased at the 2002 ‘International Solid- State Circuits Conference’. Read about the first disposable chip for hearing aids and other technologies in the conference proceedings available through the IEEE Online
Catalog & Store at <http://shop.ieee.org>

Nominations Sought for IEEE Awards
The IEEE Awards Board is seeking nominations for medals, recognitions, and prize papers for 2005. The deadline is 1 July 2004. Find out which awards are being presented and how to submit nominations at <http://www.theinstitute.ieee.org.

Top

IEEE Code of Ethics

We, the members of the IEEE, in recognition of the importance of our technologies in affecting the quality of life throughout the world, and in accepting a personal obligation to our profession, its members and the communities we serve, do hereby commit ourselves to the highest ethical and professional conduct and agree:

Top