In an era where connections and collaborations transcend geographical boundaries, the ComSoc Sister Chapter Pilot Project for 2023 paves the way for a year of partnership and growth. Organized by visionary leaders in the field, including Ricardo Veiga, Director of Member Services IEEE ComSoc, and project coordinator Prof. Mohab Mangoud, the recent online meeting brought together an international assembly of ComSoc representatives. With attendees spanning the globe, from Austin to Delhi, the meeting fostered a sense of unity and cooperation. As we delve into the insights and proposals shared at the meeting, it becomes evident that this project will be nothing short of transformative.

The meeting opened with warm words of welcome from Ana Garcia Armada, the VP of Member and Global Activities IEEE ComSoc. Her unwavering support for the project set the tone for a day filled with innovation and collaboration. Ricardo Veiga shared his valuable insights and highlighted the primary objective: learning from one another. The overarching mission was to create an environment where every voice is heard, and suggestions are valued.

Event Timings: 18th of March 2023 @ 12:00pm – 13:00pm (Bahrain Timing).

Key Project Objectives and Vision

Following this introduction, Prof. Mohab Mangoud took center stage, presenting the core objectives, goals, expected outcomes, KPIs, and the many benefits that participation in this project promises. The proposed timeline detailed the roadmap for the project, outlining key milestones. The presentation included a comprehensive list of participating chapters and their respective chair contacts, further solidifying the global reach of the Sister Chapter Program.

Chapter Contributions: A Global Tapestry of Ideas

The heart of the meeting lay in the brainstorming session led by chapter chairs. Each chapter was allotted a brief yet impactful 3-5 minutes to showcase their chapter’s strengths and share ideas. Let’s dive into a summary of the contributions:

  • Austin Chapter (Semih Aslan/ Fawzi Behmann): The Austin chapter’s fervor for collaboration was palpable. Expressing a strong desire to work with the Atlanta chapter, they aimed to create a student branch chapter. This pioneering move would involve establishing ComSoc Student Branch chapters in both Austin/San Marcos and Atlanta/KSU, each targeting 20 students. Their innovative strategy involved leveraging the Student Essential Package membership. They also floated the idea of the Atlanta ComSoc Summer School Series, designed to explore IoT and ML applications, along with special exchange programs for members and students.
  • Atlanta Chapter (Tamseel M Syed /Sumit Chakravarty): The Atlanta chapter, represented by Sumit, was eager to join forces with the Austin Chapter, particularly in the realm of student activities. Their alignment with Fawzi and Semih’s plan indicated a harmonious partnership in the making.
  • Bahrain Chapter (Wafeeq Aigor): The Bahrain Chapter, led by Wafeeq, expressed a strong desire to become part of the ComSoc Sister Chapter Program. Their focus was on involving the University of Bahrain student branch in this endeavor. They enthusiastically proposed using IEEE Collabrates as a key tool in the project. Furthermore, they showed keen interest in partnering with Italy and U.S. chapters, opening doors to a plethora of possibilities.

This initial meeting set the stage for a year filled with cross-chapter collaboration, knowledge sharing, and transformative projects. The global synergy is palpable, and as the project unfolds, it promises to redefine the way we approach collaboration within the ComSoc community. Stay tuned for more updates and inspiring collaborations as the Sister Chapter Pilot Project 2023 takes flight.