University of the Witwatersrand
IEEE student branch

"IEEE is the world’s largest professional association dedicated to advancing technological innovation and excellence for the benefit of humanity. IEEE and its members inspire a global community through IEEE's highly cited publications, conferences, technology standards, and professional and educational activities.EEE is the world’s largest professional association dedicated to advancing technological innovation and excellence for the benefit of humanity. IEEE and its members inspire a global community through IEEE's highly cited publications, conferences, technology standards, and professional and educational activities." [from IEEE about page]

> History

The IEEE started out as the American Institude for Electrical Engineers (AIEE). This was started by a group of Electrical proffesionals to help them apply their innovation for the betterment of humanity. The Institute of Radio Engineers was later founded and modelled on the AIEE. The two societies merged in 1963 to form the Institute for Electrical and Electronic Engineers (IEEE).

The IEEE grew in the decades that followed and by the early 21st Century, IEEE served its members and their interests with 38 societies; 130 journals, transactions and magazines; more 300 conferences annually; and 900 active standards. IEEE’s fields of interest expanded well beyond electrical/electronic engineering and computing into areas such as micro- and nanotechnology, ultrasonics, bioengineering, robotics, electronic materials, and many others. [read the full history on the IEEE history page]

The University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg (Wits) is one of South Africa's leading academic institutions. It has five faculties: Commerce Law and Management, Engineering and the built enviroment, Health Sciences, Humanities and Sciences.

"Wits has a reputation built on research and academic excellence. Wits is one of only two universities in Africa ranked in two separate international rankings as a leading institution in the world and is the only university in the country that features in the top 1% in the world in seven defined fields of research according to the 2007 ISI international rankings. Wits is also the recipient of the highest levels of external financial support of all universities in the country, from donors and partners all over the world – testimony to the high esteem in which we are held internationally." [from Wits site]

The Wits student branch was established at the beginning of 2006. This was by Electrical engineering students. The founding members were: The founding members of the branch were Electrcial Engineering students. This meant that the IEEE was over the years mainly with Electrical students. Starting this year the aim is to change that. The branch currently has more than 90 members. It is part of R8.

Mission statement

The primary purpose of this Student Branch is to introduce students to the IEEE. In order to achieve this, the Branch will inform students about the organisation and its role in terms of a professional technical association. The Branch will also assist potential student members with joining the IEEE. This involves acting as an intermediary between the two parties so that students are able to join with the confidence that their IEEE Student Branch committee is actively looking-out for their interests.

Further to the above, this branch also aims to follow the example of the IEEE worldwide and to provide value to our members because they are part of our professional organisation. To achieve this, the branch will utilise its structure and available resources to provide students with benefits which would not be available without the involvement of the Student Branch.

Membership

The Wits student Branch is proud to announce that membership numbers in 2010 have already exceeded previous years. At the start of May 2010, the current membership statistics are:

• Student members: 67
• Graduate Student Members: 24
• Total membership: 91

Membership is still open for 2010, so if you would like to become part of this growing community, find out more about How to Join