IEEE Western Australia Section

2005 Annual Report

Dr Lance Chun Che Fung

Chair, IEEE WA Section

2005 has been a year of consolidation and expansion. Consolidation is in the sense of strengthening of membership numbers (634), provision of training for volunteers (two training workshops), and, improved quality of activities for the members. Expansion is demonstrated by the establishment of the new Computational Intelligence Society (CIS) chapter and Women in Engineering (WIE) affiliated groups. This makes up a total of five technical chapters, two affinity groups and three student branches. WA Section also provided an increased number of activities directly and indirectly organised by the Section and Chapters. A total of 46 activities were reported. A record breaking number of participation by sponsors and visitors (170) in the annual IEEE Student Branch Industry Networking Function was achieved. IEEE WA Section has also been actively promoted to the general public and other non-IEEE communities through collaboration with other professional bodies and the WA government. In 2005, with the support of the WA government’s Department of Industry and Resources (DOIR), the IEEE Western Australia Section has joined five local and national professional organizations to form the Information and Communication Technology Industry Collaboration Centre of Western Australia (ICTICC). The other organisations include Institute of Engineers

Australia

(IEAust), Australian Computer Society (ACS), Australia Telecommunication User Groups (ATUG), Western Australia Internet Associations (WAIA) and Australian Information Industry Association (AIIA). ICTICC was established to provide a communication channel between the various sectors of the WA ICT industry, and between the industry and Government with the objective to promote ICT industry nationally and internationally. Activities have included ICT Today & Tomorrow Forums at the State Innovation Centre, Industry breakfasts, Meet the Minister breakfast and the ICTWA conference. These are in addition to the conferences and activities undertaken by the IEEE WA Section and technical society chapters (INDIN and APCC). In addition, the WA Section has been supportive of the local school and community through sponsorship of the Robcup Junior competition and hosting the “Games Development Workshop” at the 2005 Australian Innovation Festival. The success in 2005 is largely due to the generous support of the many committee members, volunteers and IEEE members. It is expected the momentum will be maintained to promote the mission and to achieve the goals of IEEE in the coming months in 2006.

A.2 Financial Report

The financial status of the IEEE WA Section is healthy and sound. Apart from GOLD and student branches, accounts for the section and chapters are centralized and managed by the Section Treasurer. This practice provides a clear picture of the financial condition of the section at any time. The 2005 incomes are based on Rebate (67%), Bank interest (17%) and sponsorships for various functions (16%). The expenses are mainly due to conference supports (45%), professional activities (25%), grants and awards (14%) and meeting expenses (16%). In terms of income, the strong Australian-US currency exchange rate has effectively reduced the dollar values of the annual rebate. The WA Section has adopted a prudent strategy of maintaining minimal amount in the cash account while maximizing the amount in the deposit account. This has provided a comparatively high interest return which accounts to one third of the annual budget. On the other hand, expenses have been due to support of various conferences (three in 2005), awards and prizes for student and school activities, meeting and training workshop expenses and support of Section Chair to the 2005 Section Congress. It is expected that the financial situation will maintain in the positive light for the coming year.

Membership Development has been mainly through “relationship marketing” and subtle promotion through IEEE and joint-IEEE activities. Targets were segmented into Technical, Industry, Society and Community, (TISC). Technical targets refer to visitors to the technical meetings who could be potential IEEE members. This has included participants and visitors to the Joint Technical Programs (JETP). In general, these talks are more general aiming to an audience from across the spectrum of engineering disciplines. Industry is mainly referred to participants in the ICTICC activities which are mainly industry partners from other professional bodies. This has also included business, government, consultants and education sectors. An example is the participation of ICTWA conference which drawn over 165 delegates from various ICT sectors in WA. Society is referred to the activities run by the specific chapters which have in-depth technical focus. Normally, such talks are more technical in nature and the meetings have provided an excellent opportunity for networking and idea-exchange. Community includes schools and the general public. Examples are sponsoring the annual RoboCup competition which has attracted over 200 school children in 2005 and the Seminar on Games Development for the Australian Innovation Festival. The last event has attracted over 50 students and parents. The target approach enables a more relevant effort be utilized. Relationship marketing is carried out by encouraging the members to bring their friends, colleagues and business associates to various functions and activities. A social function (Wine tasting and dinner) has also been organized to attract visitors and allow IEEE members to interact with them in a relaxing environment. It is believed that the efforts carried out in 2005 have given IEEE exposure and promotion to the potential members and the general public.

In terms of retention of members, the number of memberships has maintained with a slight increase as compared to the previous year. However, due to the global decline in the number of students enrolling in the Electronic/Electrical/Computer Engineering and IT related courses, the student memberships have reduced but this was made up with an increase in number in the Member grade. This demonstrates that the effort in membership development and promotion has been paid off. With the establishment of the WIE and an active GOLD group, it is expected that 2006 will see an increase in membership through the activities by these affiliated groups.

B.2 Professional and Technical Activities

A summary of the numbers of activities organized by the Section, chapters and affiliated groups is given below:

This brings the total number of professional/technical/educational activities to 24. This is in addition to the activities hosted by member organizations of ICTICC as mentioned in the executive summary.

Three student branches are currently in operation in WA – UWA, Curtin and Murdoch. The three student branches have actively promoted IEEE through membership recruitment, BBQ and sausage sizzling, technical meetings and social activities. A highlight of the year is the annual Student Branch Networking Function. This is a major event with strong supports from the local industry. This year, the students have secured a record number of sponsors (20) and visitors (over 170). Each sponsoring company was given a stall and a time-slot for presentation. This gave the students an excellent opportunity to discuss with the company representatives and to find out issues such as job specifications and work environment.

The students have also participated in the 2005 Web-page competition and with the assistance of GOLD, they also put in a bid to host the 2005 Student Congress. While WA Student Branch was short listed and invited to submit a second round proposal, they have decided not to pursue due to clash with examination timetable and financial issues. Nevertheless, this has been an encouraging sign to witness the maturity and initiatives undertook by the students. While Student paper contest has been promoted to the students, the responses have not been overwhelming due to end of semester deadlines. This is an area which has to be improved.

Communication with members in 2005 was entirely by electronic means. E-notice and web-site have been the main channel to convey information to the members. A 16-page electronic newsletter was produced and posted on the section web site. This has been an effective and economic means to inform and inspire the members. However, the newsletter editor, Mr Theng-Wei Loke, was transferred to

Taiwan

during mid-2005 and subsequent newsletter was suspended. Information was put up in the Section Website as events and activities.

The student branches have maintained their websites and also took part in the web-page design competition.

The section continues to sponsor four separate undergraduate student prize awards in the four local universities. Selection of the recipients is determined by the relevant schools and representative from IEEE was invited to give out the awards.

Prizes were also given to the best paper awards in two conferences – INDIN 2005 and PEECS 2005. A certificate was also given out in each case.

Within the Section and Chapters, certificates of recognition were also given out to outstanding volunteers in each entity. Certificates of appreciation were also given out to members of the Student Branch committee members.

B.6 Chapter Activities

Most the above technical meetings were held at the four WA universities and attracted attendance from members, students, staff and professionals. The major activity undertook by the Chapters is the sponsoring of the Asian-Pacific Conference on Communication (APCC) which attracted over 220 delegates.

The mission of 2006 is to promote IEEE through services to members and recruitment of new members.

§ Social functions will be held for networking and promotion purpose. This will also couple as Membership Drive and Award Evening

§ Actively involve with Joint Electronic and Electrical panel and to promote IEEE

§ Actively involve with ICTICC activities and to promote IEEE to member associations and industry

§ Actively promote and encourage participations in the activities organized by the chapters, GOLD, WIE and Student branches.

§ Frequent update of information on web-pages and use of e-notice service to inform members

§ Appointment of new Newsletter editor and to ensure newsletter will be interesting as well as informative.

D.1 Relationship with National Societies and Special Events

The IEEE WA Section is in full support of the tripartite agreement with IEAust and IEE. This is demonstrated by the joint technical program and involvement with IEAust’s ITEE panel.

Since 2005, as mentioned in previous section, IEEE has been involved with other national bodies such as ACS, IEAsut, WAIA, AIIA and ATUG to support the ICTICC initiative. The collaboration is expected to continue with an intention to promote the ICT industry. One of the direct results of the collaboration is the ICTWA conference which was held in November 2005. The event was attended by about 200 delegates from the ICT sector. This will create excellent employment potentials for the students and IEEE members.

D.2 Special Events

The following special events have been planned for 2006 through active involvement in the organization and technical sponsorship by the WA Section.

§ ICT today and Tomorrow Forum with ACS, IEAust (ITEE Panel), ATUG, AIIA and WAIA.

§ A Special Award and Membership Promotion Evening in recognition of excellent volunteer service and membership promotion.

There are no major concerns in the IEEE WA Section as it is managed by a group of dedicated volunteer members. In 2005, the programs have been well planned and the budgets have been under control. While there are plans and goals in place, it has to be recognized that it takes time, efforts and volunteers to execute and to make the event successful. The major challenge is to continue recruitment of new members and volunteers and it is expected that the above events will bear fruit in time to come.

IEEE Western Australia Section

A.2 Financial Report

B.2 Professional and Technical Activities

B.6 Chapter Activities

D.1 Relationship with National Societies and Special Events

D.2 Special Events

Copyright 2003, IEEE REGION 10