Upcoming ComSoc Training Live, Online Courses

IEEE ComSoc has regularly scheduled live, instructor-led continuing education courses focusing on the latest communication technologies.  These courses are 100% online instruction via WebEx.  Courses include the option to earn IEEE CEUs for participation.  Special note:  many courses offer discounts if you register early for the course.  Click on the individual course titles to learn more about available discounts.

The following courses are being offered in the coming weeks:

Fundamentals of Wireless Communication*
Date:  9 September 2021, 9:00 am - 4:30 pm EDT
Instructor:  Lee Vishloff

Visible Light Communications
Dates:  15 September 2021, 9:00 am - 4:30 pm EDT
Instructor:  Harald Haas

Network and Service Architecture*
Dates:  22 - 23 September 2021, 9:00 am - 12:30 pm EDT   
Instructor:  Alan Bensky

Cellular Networks*
Dates:  06 - 07 October 2021, 9:00 am - 12:30 pm EDT        
Instructor:  Alan Bensky

Non-cellular Wireless Systems*
Date:  13 October 2021, 10:00 am - 2:00 pm EDT    
Instructor:  Lee Vishloff

Cloud-Native 5G: Architecture, Enablers, and Roadmap
Date:  21 October 2021, 9:00 am - 4:30 pm EDT      
Instructor:  Javan Erfanian

*Register for these 4 courses together in one transaction and use promo code IWCOMBO25 to save 25% on your registration fees.

Another Successful i-YES Event at IEEE ICC 2021

Another successful i-YES (Young Engineers and Scientists) event was held at IEEE ICC 2021 on 18 June.  This was the 9th consecutive i-YES event to be featured at ComSoc’s flagship annual conferences. Approximately 80 people joined the live, online session which began with IEEE ComSoc President Vincent Chan sharing a welcome message.  The program included panels sessions on “Softwarized 5G” and “Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Globalization in Communications Engineering.” There were keynote presentations by Frank Fitzek who discussed “In-Network Computing for Future Communication Services” and by Maite Brandt-Pearce who spoke on the topic of “Emerging Diversity Initiatives in Communications Engineering.”  The full program of the event is available at the ICC website. The next i-YES event is being planned for IEEE GLOBECOM 2021.  More details on that event will be posted to the GLOBECOM website once they are available.

ESB Member Profile: Dr. R. Venkatesha Prasad, The Delft University of Technology

I come from India and we were told from our childhood that after our mother and father it is the teachers who shape our lives. Teachers are even considered more than any god in the Indian culture. I, in my school days, was influenced very much by great teachers, who were very passionate about education. I still remember the lab kits received as donations from other countries! But many times, the teachers used innovative local materials to teach us science. This influenced me immensely to look at education as a noble profession. Of course, I still feel very young because we are always with young impressionable minds! This is the background of why I got involved in education and the IEEE ComSoc Educational Services Board (ESB). IEEE ComSoc has been very close to my heart. I enjoy many meetings, conferences, and discussions in ComSoc standards board, etc. Some of my senior colleagues who knew my interests took me into their fold -- notably, Nelson, Stefano, Fabrizio, and Nirwan.

In my opinion, the ESB is the most important entity amongst all the other boards that ComSoc has. IEEE does many professional activities but what separates IEEE ComSoc from other similar organizations is the emphasis on educational activities.

For me, what I like the most about serving on the ESB is that I enjoy giving back to my junior colleagues and students. Indeed, I have been involved in some editions of YES (Young Engineers and Scientists) activities thanks to fellow ESB member Periklis.  Fabrizio, also an ESB member, started the summer schools for students and many of my students have immensely benefited from them. Further, the ESB has the mandate to keep helping members and non-members with state-of-the-art courses. This is a major contribution to educating society. I support many mandates of the ESB and thus I feel I am doing a little bit in contributing to the education of our technical community. It is always “Pay-It-Forward” that makes this world beautiful, since we can never pay back our teachers, and we can only contribute to our next generation.

Education is something very noble. As a research supervisor, I shouldn’t do what I dislike in others! I should feel that all my students are my extensions -- research-wise. Thus, if I can bring better feelings and thoughts to my students, they will take it forward! The cycle of improvement should keep rolling. It is also important to note that if I don’t treat my students well, they would treat their students again the same way. This downward cycle would come back to haunt our children one day! Thus, it is important to always keep improving myself and my surroundings! This is something I learned while discussing with many senior colleagues in ESB.

I feel that it is important to solve what needs to be solved rather than what can be solved! Thus, in my work I emphasize problems that have practical consequences. I deeply value academic freedom thus I try to provide space for my students and support their free-thinking space. This is one of the important things I learned from many of my senior colleagues from ComSoc -- especially from Alex Gelman! The most important topics of interest for me are Tactile Internet, Energy Harvesting IoT, Space-IoT systems. I think there are many challenges for us to overcome.

Finally, to share some personal experiences with you.  During this pandemic, I have been working from India. We lost many who were very close to me or my family. The 2nd wave was devastating. I couldn’t sit quietly and watch. At some point, I just started helping two families near my house. But many well-meaning members of my locality started pouring in with support. We ultimately helped more than 100 families [see Team-SEVA: Seva=Service Facebook Page].

Also, in the last 8 years, I have tried to plant trees in (almost) the heart of Bangalore, India.  It was very difficult to keep them alive. But hard work pays off one day. Now, there are more than 120 trees [see Selfie With My Trees-120 Trees Facebook Page] and the locality has more than 400 trees. Even in summer we seldom use fans or AC! My life’s mission is to live carbon neutral!!

Dr. RangaRao Venkatesha Prasad's Personal web page

Nominations Open for 2022-2023 ComSoc Distinguished Lecturer Program (DLP)

It is time to nominate senior IEEE ComSoc members who are renowned communications technology experts for the 2022-2023 Distinguished Lecturer Program (DLP). Distinguished Lecturers share knowledge, expertise, and insights into the future of communications technology. The deadline to submit your nomination is 30 September.

Who can serve as a ComSoc Distinguished Lecturer? IEEE ComSoc Senior Members, Life Senior Members, Fellows, and Life Fellows members are eligible to serve as Distinguished Lecturers. Nominators must also be IEEE Senior member grade or above. Self-nominations are also permitted.

What are the attributes of a successful ComSoc Distinguished Lecturer nominee?

• Willingness to share and showcase knowledge and expertise
• Ability to deliver high-quality, engaging programming in either a virtual or in-person environment
• Passionate about connecting with ComSoc members and non-members
• Commitment to enhancing and advancing the industry
• Values ComSoc membership and will assist local chapters to increase membership engagement and growth via strong content

Distinguished Lecturers are appointed for a two-year term, can be appointed more than once, and may continue to serve for an additional two-year term at the discretion of the Selection Committee. Learn more about the program and submit your nomination today!

Reminder: 2 Minutes Helps You Make the Most Out of Your ComSoc Membership

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Help us bring you the best ComSoc has to offer to help you expand your professional growth. Take 2 minutes and update your profile today!