The RAB/TAB Transnational Committee

Dr. Tsuneo Nakahara
Vice Chairman
Sumitomo Electric Industries Ltd.

It is my great pleasure to submit my message to the IEEE members of Region 10. As the past Director of Region 10, I would like to congratulate you in establishing the Asia Pacific Channel. It is my pleasure to observe this development and I congratulate the current Region 10 Director, Dr. Paul Y. S. Cheung, for his initiative. I have been serving the IEEE members as Chair of the RAB/TAB (Regional Activities Board / Technical Activities Board) Transnational Committee for 1995 after the former Chairmanship of Dr. Paul Cheung. I am quite sure that the RAB/TAB Transnational Committee has many things in common with IEEE members in Region 10 in promoting the mission of the IEEE. As stated by the IEEE Charter, the scope of the RAB/TAB Transnational Committee is to encourage and facilitate transnational activities within the IEEE. One of the committee's functions is to identify and clarify areas of interest in transnational matters, particularly those involving the Regions 7, 8, 9 and 10. These matters include: a) The relationships between the IEEE and other technical organizations based in the Regions. b) Transnational technical activities such as conferences, lecture tours and exchange programs held in the Regions. c) Operational problems unique to Regions 7, 8, 9 and 10. The other function is to maintain guidelines for the structure and administration of delegations, study groups, visiting teams and other transnational activities. The committee members are composed of representatives from RAB and TAB and some other appointees.

In this conjunction it is my pleasure to summarize what has been accomplished by this committee. As Chair of RAB/TAB Transnational Committee in 1995, after having completed my term as the Region 10 Director in 1993-1994, I proposed the following three goals at the beginning of the committee meeting in March 1995: a) Membership Development, b) Cooperation with national societies and c) the enhancement of the public image of the IEEE so as to transform the IEEE into a true global organization. I am pleased to report that significantly progress has been made in achieving these goals. Seven areas of major importance were recognized and below is a summary of the actions achieved:

Eastern Europe Projects: I do not need to spell-out the history of why the IEEE had no operations in Eastern Europe, however, the first shipment of IEEE periodical microfiches for Eastern Europe libraries has been delivered, and a proposal is under way to develop summer schools in Eastern Europe.

Members Services:Since March 1995 the IEEE has successful operated a Membership Help Desk for Region 9. We have also implemented in many countries the facility for membership dues to be paid in local currencies, and established a minimum income policy for society membership.

National Society Agreements: Agreements have been made with The Institute of Electronics and Telecommunication Engineers of India (IETE), and The Institute of Engineers, Australia (IEAust). The next possible action would be for Sections to approach and make agreements of cooperation with their national society in Regions 8, 9 and 10.

Industry Relations:Several study tours and VIP visits have been made including the visits to Japan by Dr. Tom Cain and Dr. Wallace Read in April 1995, the Australia and New Zealand IEEE Colloquia visit in August 1995 to promote cooperation with industries, and other visits to countries in Regions 8, 9, and 10 by TAB and IEEE Executive Committee members.

Section Support:A Russian Section Office has been establishment for a three year trial.

Database:Statistics on the number of electrical, electronic and computer engineers in the Regions have been collected. This will help the IEEE in planning support for new and young Section.

Society & Region Cooperation: We have worked on developing a preliminary model for all IEEE Societies. The idea is that the Sections are a vehicle for transnational activities by the Societies. A survey has been compiled on the technical activities of Societies and Regions. The Brussels and the Singapore offices are facilitating the interactive connection between Sections and Societies. We have also been discussing the possible reproduction of the IEEE Globalization Newsletter.

The committee has an important role in establishing communication channels with national societies and industries in each country, with the aim of transforming the IEEE into a global organization. I am happy to serve as a bridge between the IEEE and academia as well as industries world wide, especially for Region 10.

Short Biography of Dr. Tsuneo Nakahara

Dr. Nakahara received his B.E. and Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering from the University of Tokyo in 1953 and 1961. He joined Sumitomo Electric in 1953 and has held many important positions where he currently is the Vice Chairman of the company. He has held many important public offices in various institutions Internationally and in Japan. These includes Vice President of The Engineering Academy of Japan, Member of the Board of Trustee for the Polytechnic University in New York. He received a Blue Ribbon Medal from The Emperor of Japan for his contribution to fiber optics in 1994. Dr. Nakahara has served the IEEE in many key positions including Region 10 Director 1993-1994 and the RAB/TAB Transnational Committee Chairman in 1995. He is currently the 1996 IEEE Secretary.