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IEEE Society on Social Implications of Technology Celebrates 25th Anniversary with Special Edition Publication

19 December – The IEEE Society on Social Implications of Technology (SSIT) is celebrating its 25^th anniversary with a special edition of Technology and Society Magazine. Articles in the winter 2006 issue include “Controversy and Achievement: History of IEEE Society and Technology Magazine” and “The Future of SSIT and the State of the Engineering Profession.” To view the table of contents visit the publication's Web site.

IEEE Partners With Knowledge Master, Inc. to Offer Members Microelectronics Continuing Professional Development Courses

19 December – IEEE has partnered with Knowledge Master, Inc. to offer IEEE members a selection of 26 courses in microelectronics, semiconductors and integrated circuit design in Mandarin Chinese. This partnership fulfills two important objectives of IEEE: to serve the community of practitioners in the area of microelectronics and to serve a segment of its practitioner population that resides in China.

Founded in 2004, Knowledge Master, Inc. is an online education company which provides online career development courses for Chinese or Chinese American working professionals. The organization specializes in the delivery of highly interactive online courses, lectures and training classes through their Web site.

The courses are developed by Dr. Wen Ching Chang, an internationally-renowned professor of microelectronics, specializing in RFIC, CMOS, Analog IC, Optoelectronics and Wireless communications. To access courses offered by Knowledge Master, Inc. or to review other partners, visit the Education Partners Program Web site.

19 December – The IEEE History Center has added 75 new oral histories to its online archive. The oral histories are organized into nine different collections and include interviews with Gordon Moore, the developer of Moore’s law and co-founder of Intel Corporation, Robert Noyce, one of the inventors of the integrated circuit and Wilson Greatbatch, who helped develop the implanted, cardiac pacemaker. All oral histories are in PDF format and include an abstract and an index. To view the list of collections, visit https://www.ieee.org/web/aboutus/history_center/oral_history/oral_history.html; for an alphabetical listing, visit https://www.ieee.org/web/aboutus/history_center/oral_history/oh_a_fo.html.

19 December – The IEEE Foundation is seeking grant applications for 2007 projects in accordance with its mission to improve the technological literacy of society from childhood through adulthood.

During 2007, unsolicited applications will be accepted in three cycles from IEEE units and other organizations working in areas of relevance and importance to the IEEE and its membership. Projects should achieve one or more of the following objectives:

♦          Improve primary and secondary science, technology, and math learning
♦          Encourage pre-university students to consider engineering as a career path
♦          Increase the public’s understanding of the role of engineers and technology in society
♦          Preserve the history of IEEE associated technologies
♦          Tap the technological expertise of IEEE members
♦          Demonstrate ability to be replicated

To learn more about the IEEE Foundation’s grant guidelines, and to submit an online application, visit the IEEE Foundation Web site.

7 December – The IEEE Communications Society (ComSoc) has selected New York-based Professional Examination Service (PES) to develop a certification program for engineers working in communications technology. ComSoc is planning to roll out the first certification, in wireless cellular technology, late in 2007. When fully developed, the program will comprise a number of certifications in various areas of communications technology.

During program development, PES will collaborate with a broad cross-section of stakeholders, including practicing engineers from small and large companies worldwide, to conduct an extensive analysis of the knowledge and skills required by engineering professionals in wireless cellular communications technology. Following the analysis of practice, PES will conduct item and examination development workshops and a standard-setting study with representative groups of stakeholders, as well as provide consultative services to keep ComSoc informed of new trends and technologies in certification assessment. To read The Institute story, click here.

Thomas Bartlett Named First Eric Herz IEEE Outstanding Staff Member Award Recipient

7 December – Thomas W. Bartlett, a retired former associate general manager for finance, for the IEEE, was presented with the first IEEE Eric Herz Outstanding Staff Member Award at a luncheon at the November Meeting Series. During part of his 47 year career, Tom held the highest financial position at the IEEE, reporting to the chief IEEE staff person.

The award, established last year, is presented by the IEEE volunteers to a present or past full-time staff member in recognition of outstanding contributions to the organization. Tom was honored for developing and implementing financial management systems that contributed uniquely to the growth and achievements of the IEEE during his career. The longest-serving employee in the history of the IEEE, Tom also played an integral role in the merger of the American Institute of Electrical Engineers (AIEE) and Institute of Radio Engineers which formed the IEEE in 1963.

Business and Systems Analysis Courses Now Available to IEEE Members at a Discount Through IEEE Partnership with Inquestra Learning

6 December – InQuestra Learning and IEEE have recently partnered to offer business and systems analysis-related courses to IEEE members at a discount. InQuestra Learning provides a 16 hour, online Business Systems Analyst Certificate program. A private company incorporated in 2003, InQuestra Learning has issued more than 3,000 Business Systems Analysis Certificates to qualified learners to date. All of the company’s online courses are professionally designed and developed by industry experts, focus on skills development and include hands-on labs, email support, and study guides to enhance each student’s self-paced learning experience. For more information, to access courses by InQuestra Learning or to review a list of other partners, visit the Education Partners Program Web site.

6 December – The name of Expert Now IEEE, a continuing education resource for technical professionals presented in hour-long learning courses, has been changed to IEEE Expert Now. References to this product in all presentations and other materials should be changed.

Digital Signal Processing and System Theorist Dr. Thomas Kailath Named 2007 IEEE Medal of Honor Recipient

5 December – Dr. Thomas Kailath, a respected leader in digital signal processing and systems theory, has been named the recipient of the 2007 IEEE Medal of Honor for “exceptional development of powerful algorithms in the fields of communications, computing, control and signal processing.” Some of Kailath’s most recent research has influenced modern work in semiconductor manufacturing and wireless communications.

Kailath, a professor of engineering at Stanford University, will be presented with the award at the annual IEEE Honors Ceremony in June 2007. The award is sponsored by the IEEE Foundation. For a full listing of 2007 IEEE Medal recipients and other honorees, visit the IEEE Awards Web page. To read the full press release, click here.

Milestone Dedication in Israel Recognizes One of the World's First Electronic Computers

5 December – The IEEE dedicated an IEEE Milestone in Electrical Engineering for one of the world's first electronic computers. The Weizmann Institute of Science in Rehovot, Israel, built the Weizmann Automatic Computer (WEIZAC) during 1954-1955 with the scientific vision of Chaim Pekeris and the engineering leadership of Gerald Estrin. To read the full story in The Institute, click here.

IEEE Alters Its Standards Patent Policy to Provide Fuller Disclosure on Licensing

4 December –The IEEE Standards Association (IEEE-SA) has approved a change in its patent policy effective 30 April 2007 that provides for the optional advance disclosure of ”not to exceed” licensing terms associated with patents that might be included in its standards. The change is intended to make the IEEE standards-setting process more transparent. IEEE-SA has also submitted a request to the U.S. Department of Justice for a business review letter confirming the Department’s guidance on the antitrust aspects of the new policy. To read the full press release, visit https://standards.ieee.org/announcements/pr_043007discl.html

4 December – IEEE-SA has selected Motorola, Inc. as the recipient of the 2006 IEEE Standards Association Corporate Award in recognition for its “outstanding contributions to IEEE standards, which allow people to be mobile and connected across the globe.” Motorola has been a leader in the creation of several IEEE standards including the family of IEEE 802™ wireless standards and battery standards. To read the full press release, visit https://standards.ieee.org/announcements/pr_moto06corpawd.html.

27 November – During the IEEE November Meeting Series in New Orleans, Marc Apter, Pedro Ray and John Vig were nominated to run in the IEEE 2007 annual election as president-elect candidates by the IEEE Board of Directors. The winner of this election will serve as president-elect in 2008 and IEEE president in 2009.

The IEEE Assembly named the following individuals to serve one-year terms on the IEEE Board of Directors, beginning 1 January 2007:

These individuals will join their colleagues on the Board who were elected previously by the eligible voting members of the IEEE.

27 November – The IEEE Board of Directors named 268 Fellows for the Class of 2007. To view the full list of Fellows, click here.

9 November – Lewis Terman, IBM Research Emeritus, IBM Research Division, Yorktown Heights, N.Y., U.S.A, has been selected as 2007 IEEE president-elect. Pending acceptance of the Teller's Committee report by the IEEE Board of Directors, Terman will begin serving as IEEE president on 1 Jan. 2008. He will succeed 2007 IEEE President Leah H. Jamieson, Dean of the Purdue University College of Engineering. To read the full press release, click here.

9 November – This year’s 2006 Global Telecommunications Conference (GLOBECOMM) will incorporate the theme of "Communications: The Global Bridge" into its general conference and technical symposia lineup. Sponsored by the IEEE Communications Society, IEEE San Francisco Section, and IEEE Region VI, the conference will be held in San Francisco, 27 November – 1 December.

Co-located with the IEEE Communications Society’s Communications EXPO, GLOBECOMM will examine the continuing pervasiveness of telecommunications in all aspects of global society. Newly added this year is the Access ’06 Business Forum, a new executive forum focused on the technology and business issues associated with select emerging technologies including WiFi, WiMax, 3G, broadband over powerline and others.

This year marks the 49th year of the conference. For more information, visit the GLOBECOMM Web site.

9 November – The IEEE is providing funding for a new PBS engineering reality competition, “Design Squad,” targeted toward 9 to 12 year old students. The series follows two teams of high school students, mentored by professional engineers, as they compete to design and build functional, whimsical machines. The IEEE will be recognized for its contribution in program marketing materials, in announcements at the beginning and end of each program and on the “Design Squad” Web site.

Produced by WGBH in Boston, "Design Squad" will premiere on local PBS stations in the United States during National Engineers Week, 18-24 February 2007. To view sample "Design Squad" programs, visit the Design Squad Web site.

For more information on the IEEE's involvement in the program, contact Doug Gorham, Educational Activities, at d.g.gorham@ieee.org or Pender McCarter, IEEE-USA, at p.mccarter@ieee.org.

IEEE Begins Revision of Laptop Battery Standard

7 November – The IEEE will revise its laptop battery standard, IEEE 1625™, “IEEE Standard for Rechargeable Batteries for Portable Computing”, which was approved in 2004. This update targets an improvement in the overall performance of laptop battery systems and seeks to address recent calls to make these systems more reliable and robust. To read the full press release, click here.

2 November – The Institute member newspaper is seeking more society, section and region news items in an effort to broaden its news coverage.

Send the basic "who, what, when, where and how," and the editors will be in contact if more information is needed.

The editors are also looking for suggestions for topics to write about, whether it's IEEE related or something about the engineering field.

2 November – The IEEE Member-get-a-Member (MGM) program, a peer-to-peer recruitment tactic targeted at prospective members, has revised its incentive program. Current members who successfully recruit new higher-grade members will now receive a US$15 MGM voucher for each recruited member, an increase from the previous US$5 incentive. Additionally, members now have the option of either donating the value of the MGM voucher to the IEEE Foundation, or using it toward an IEEE purchase, including renewal of their IEEE membership. Vouchers will be issued at the close of the program in September 2007.

1 November – The IEEE and IEEE-USA are seeking nominations for the 2007 Engineers Week (EWeek) “New Faces of Engineering” recognition program. The campaign recognizes engineers new to the profession with outstanding educational and career accomplishments, and is open to IEEE members worldwide.

An annual event since 2002, the EWeek “New Faces” program promotes the importance of technical education, celebrates engineering careers and recognizes significant contributions to the engineering profession and society. Each year, the EWeek Web site features the photos and biographies of five notable young engineers from each EWeek sponsoring society. In addition, a full-page USA Today ad that runs during EWeek recognizes the top individual nominees from each society. EWeek 2007 is 18-24 February.

To be nominated for the “New Faces in Engineering” program, engineers must be 30 or younger as of 1 Dec. 2006, have a degree in engineering and be a member of a sponsoring EWeek partner. The nomination form is available at www.eweek.org/site/Engineers/newfaces2007/2007_Nomination.doc. For more information, visit https://www.eweek.org.

30 October – IEEE marked the 150^th birthday of Nikola Tesla by dedicating a special citation at The Tesla Museum in Belgrade, Serbia. The citation, which recognizes Tesla’s seminal work in the field of electrical engineering, was sponsored by the IEEE Serbia and Montenegro Section. For more information, click here.

19 October – All ballots for the 2006 IEEE Annual Election must be received by the election vendor by 1 November 2006 at 12 noon, Central Time USA (18:00 Greenwich Mean Time) to be counted. Ballot materials can also be accessed electronically at https://www.directvote.net/ieee/. For additional information about the IEEE Annual Election, please visit https://www.ieee.org/elections or contact: corp-election@ieee.org .

19 October – In honor of the 10th anniversary of IEEE GOLD (Graduates of the Last Decade), members are invited to participate in an online challenge from 20-29 October that tests their knowledge of IEEE. Prizes include MP3 players and USB flash wristbands, among others. Other activities celebrating the milestone include a new GOLD online bulletin board designed to connect recent graduates worldwide, and an updated Web site that includes history, achievements and current information about GOLD programs. For additional information, contact gold@ieee.org .

19 October – The IEEE dedicated an IEEE Milestone in Electrical Engineering and Computing 11 October at the Yokohama Plant of Victor Company of Japan, Limited where a team of engineers developed the VHS (Video Home System) recording format. The first videocassette recorder with the VHS format, model JVC HR-330, was announced on 9 September 1976. The milestone was sponsored by the IEEE Tokyo Section. For more information, click here.

19 October – The IEEE has begun work on a new rail transit standard, IEEE P1698(TM), "Guide for the Calculation of Braking Distances for Rail Transit Vehicles." The methods and assumptions in this guide will encompass automatic train protection and signal system operation, as well as propulsion and brake system operation, environmental conditions, operator interfaces, tolerances and failure modes. To read the full press release, click here.

6 October – Beginning this month, IEEE Spectrum Online will offer a series of free Webinars hosted by industry experts who will share their expertise on developments and trends in technology. The series includes an online Career Accelerator Forum designed to provide information on different career tracks and graduate and post graduate studies programs. Each Webinar is followed by an online question and answer period. To view the full list of Webinars, or to register online, click here.

4 October – The leaders of 10 IEEE Student Branches from universities across the United States gathered at the IEEE Operations Center in Piscataway, NJ, USA for the first Leaders Summit sponsored by the IEEE University Partnership Program (UPP) on 28-29 September.

The IEEE UPP develops unique educational and networking opportunities for the students, faculty and librarians at 13 member schools, including UCLA, Stanford, Berkeley, California Institute of Technology, UC San Diego, MIT, Dartmouth College, University of Michigan-Ann Arbor, Drexel University, Columbia University, Virginia Tech, Texas A&M and Worcester Polytechnic Institute.

In informal sessions and formal presentations, the student leaders and IEEE staff discussed pressing issues for young engineers. This included the value of professional organizations when building career and research relationships in academic, corporate and government markets.

“I found out so much more about the IEEE than I had not known before, the resources and what we can do,” said Chris Weldon, a senior and chair of the IEEE student chapter at Texas A & M University. “The UPP program has given me great insight that I will bring back to not only the other officers in our student chapter but also other student members. The UPP summit allowed me to meet peers from other schools and find out what they are doing. It gives us the opportunity to mirror some of their programs and activities in our schools.”

For more information on the UPP program, contact Kristen Fitzpatrick, Sales and Marketing, k.fitzpatrick@ieee.org.

Online Renewal Period Opens for IEEE Members

4 October – IEEE members can currently renew their membership for 2007 online. Members who renew online by 1 December will automatically be entered into a drawing to win a Dell Inspiron Laptop computer. Membership renewal notices will also be mailed to current members by the end of the month. Individuals with questions can fill out an online form.

4 October –The general public can now view select content on IEEE.tv, the Internet-based video service launched in August as an IEEE member-only benefit. Programs include careers in technology, IEEE products, the Member Digital Library and Expert Now IEEE. All visitors also can view videos of the IEEE President-Elect Candidates' Debate and Q&A Session through IEEE.tv.

Two new members-only programs were added in September. “Doing the Right Thing: Social Implications of Technology” and "Testing for EMC Compliance: Approaches and Techniques" can now be viewed by members with an IEEE Web account. New programming will be added each month. For more information, contact tv@ieee.org.

IEEE Mentoring Connection Program Seeks Members to Mentor Young Professionals

26 September – The IEEE Mentoring Connection Program is looking for “online” mentors to help guide younger professionals in career planning and professional development. Currently, 489 mentees and 264 mentors have registered. Mentor participation is open to all higher grade IEEE members.

The program enables mentees to select their mentoring partner online from a list of individuals who have volunteered to serve as mentors. After mentors are identified as a potential match, they are contacted and asked to begin establishing a relationship.

Interested members can visit https://www.ieee.org/mentoring for information on the roles and responsibilities of each mentoring partner, including additional program information and an FAQ page. Potential mentors are asked to review the time and effort commitment to the program necessary to ensure a successful mentoring partnership.

For more information, contact Cathy Downer, Regional Activities, at c.downer@ieee.org.

26 September – More than 35 new print-ready advertisements promoting IEEE membership and its benefits are now available for download from the IEEE Online Promotional Library.

This update includes ads in the seven standard sizes typically used by IEEE magazines. Sizes range from full-page to one-ninth-page ads.

Among the new promotions are ads for MyIEEE, Student Membership, IEEE Standards, and IEEE conferences.

The IEEE Online Promotional Library, a free service for IEEE editors and volunteers, offers hundreds of print and online promotional items with the IEEE themes of value, quality and service to the profession.

26 September – Auburn University, which, among its other undergraduate and graduate courses provides continuing education courses for professional engineers, recently introduced two new educational tracks. The two tracks, Electric Power System Protection and General Lighting Design, are offered through the IEEE Continuing Education Partners program. IEEE members can take these distance learning courses, produced on DVD-R or by special order standard VHS format, at a 10 percent discount.

The Electric Power System Protection courses are designed for engineering personnel concerned with protection issues related to the design, planning, or operation of electrical power systems. The six-course track includes fundamentals, system modeling, fault calculations, hardware, component protection, and line protection.

The General Lighting Design course track is offered in two parts and addresses issues essential to the design of artificial illumination systems. Part One, “Fundamentals of Indoor Calculations,” covers the fundamentals of light and human vision, lighting calculations by the point source, and lumen methods. Part Two, “Design, Fixtures, and Flood Lighting,” covers lighting design philosophy, light sources and fixtures, outdoor design, and special applications.

Auburn University has been offering engineering courses since 1872. The distance-learning program is designed for engineers with licenses in states that require continuing education units to meet license renewal requirements. To access the full list of courses offered by Auburn University, or to review other partners, visit the Education Partners Program Web page.

IEEE Seeks Program Evaluators for Accrediting Engineering & Engineering Technology Programs at U.S. Universities

25 September – To aid IEEE and ABET in their accreditation roles, the IEEE Educational Activities Board is seeking engineering professionals from industry, government and academe to serve as program evaluators.

IEEE, the largest member of ABET, Inc. (formerly known as the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology), is responsible for the peer-review evaluation of more than 700 university programs in the IEEE fields of interest. IEEE's involvement in the peer-review evaluation is vital to ensuring the continuing quality of coursework in preparation for engineering and engineering technology professions.

Applications for the 2007 - 2008 academic year will be accepted through 15 November 2006.

Selected applicants will attend a training seminar on the IEEE/ABET accreditation process. After training, program evaluators are dispatched in teams to visit engineering and engineering technology departments at universities across the country on behalf of the IEEE and ABET. Evaluation sessions are held during the fall and usually run two to three days.

25 September – The current issue of IEEE Communications Magazine, featuring the debut of a new “Design and Implementation” series is now available on IEEE Xplore. The new section was created to address how emerging technologies are being implemented in the marketplace. Members of the IEEE Communications Society may read the contents of this issue at https://www.comsoc.org/livepubs/ci1/public/2006/sep/index.html

provide the best opportunity for its completion and approval. The plan calls for the working group’s reorganization including the appointment of new officers as well as new balloting and balloting resolution committees. It also clarifies and tightens requirements for disclosure of affiliations. The decision is the outcome of an investigation by the SASB into appeals and other concerns that had led to the temporary suspension of the working group’s activities. Click here to read the full press release.

14 September – The IEEE was one of five organizations represented in a workshop entitled “Nurturing Science/Technology/Engineering/Math Skills in Young Females in Developing and Developed Countries” as part of the 59^th Annual Department of Public Information (DPI)/Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) Conference on “Unfinished Business: Effective Partnerships for Human Security and Sustainable Development.” The workshop was sponsored by the International Public Relations Association during the conference last week at the United Nations Headquarters in New York City.

Clementina Saduwa, IEEE Women in Engineering Coordinator for Africa, Europe and Middle East from Lagos, Africa, joined representatives from the Society of Women Engineers, the Girl Scouts of the USA, the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts as a presenter .in the STEM workshop. The program explored how to forge relationships and partnerships to create sustainable projects led by youth; highlighted successful science and technology programs in both developing and developed countries; and demonstrated how technology can increase networks among youth. NGO representatives from 90 countries attended the overall event.

14 September – The IEEE International Computer Software and Applications Conference (COMPSAC) will celebrate its 30th year from 17 to 21 September in Chicago, Illinois, USA. The conference, which first took place in Chicago, in 1977, has grown to be a major forum for all people within the industry for developments and trends. This year’s event will feature an exhibit by the Congress on Software Technology and Engineering Practice (CoSTEP) that will discuss industry leaders, key publishers, researchers and practitioners in software technologies and computing. For more information, visit the COMPSAC Web site.

12 September – “Enabling Innovation: Improving Our World” is the theme of the 2005 IEEE Annual Report. It is being mailed in early September to corporate, education and government leaders around the world, and to IEEE volunteers and staff. The entire report can be viewed online.

6 September – Forms and instructions for preparing nominations for IEEE Fellow grade membership are now available on the IEEE Fellows Web page. Nominations may be prepared electronically or in hard copy form and must be submitted by 1 March 2007.

The grade of Fellow recognizes unusual distinction in the profession and is conferred upon a person with an extraordinary record of accomplishments in any of the IEEE fields of interest. These accomplishments shall have contributed importantly to the advancement or application of engineering, science and technology, bringing the realization of significant value to society.

To recognize the entire spectrum of engineering activity, candidates are classified as Application Engineer/Practitioner, Research Engineer/Scientist, Technical Leader, or Educator, and judged accordingly. At the time the nomination is submitted, the candidate must be a senior member who has completed five years of service in any grade of IEEE membership excluding affiliate membership. The nominee’s dues must be current.

Anyone may submit a nomination. However, all nominations must be supported by at least five, but no more than eight, references from active IEEE Fellow grade members familiar with the candidate’s work. If the candidate is from Region 9, the IEEE Fellow Committee will accept references from senior members.

6 September – IEEE Creative Services of the IEEE Sales & Marketing department has received a Pewter Award in the 2006 Annual Gold Ink Awards. The annual competition honors the year's best printed materials, specifically recognizing quality of printing, technical difficulty and overall visual effectiveness.

The IEEE winning entry was a direct-mail package used to promote a customer event held in Silicon Valley earlier this year. The materials were printed by Haig Graphics. To see the award-winning entry, click here.

More than 1,500 companies in North America entered this year's competition. The winners will receive recognition in the special Gold Ink Issue of Print Media magazine in October 2006.

6 September – IEEE Press is seeking nominations for qualified candidates who are willing to serve, if elected, on the IEEE Press Editorial Board.

Members of the IEEE Press Editorial Board serve three-year terms. The board meets at least once a year, and meets frequently in teleconference. The primary duty of board members is to provide technical and scientific expertise in the development of world-class, worthy technical books. Board members are asked to work on a continuing basis with the editor-in-chief and IEEE Press staff to recruit authors, review their proposals and assist in identifying technical reviewers of proposals and complete book manuscripts.

Currently, IEEE Press operates under a strategic plan that calls for expansion of its publishing program while emphasizing acquisition of technical books. IEEE Press publishes in the full range of IEEE technical fields of interest, and currently has series that concentrate in communications, electromagnetics, biomedical engineering, power engineering, microwave technology, microelectronics and computational intelligence.

Interested nominators should submit a biography of no more than two pages that demonstrates the candidate’s interest and technical experience. Self-nomination for the board positions is permitted. The current IEEE Press Editorial Board will select candidates to recommend to the Nominations and Appointments Committee of the IEEE Publication Products and Services Board. Appointments are expected to be made at the November PSPB meeting.

Please send nominations (with bios attached) to Lani Angso, Book & Information Services, at l.angso@ieee.org. The deadline is midnight, 19 September. For additional information, please contact Ken Moore, IEEE Book & Information Services, at k.moore@ieee.org.

29 August – Eligible voting IEEE members will soon be receiving their 2006 IEEE Annual Election ballot packages in the mail. Ballot materials can also be accessed electronically at https://www.directvote.net/ieee/.

The opportunity to vote in the IEEE Annual Election is a privilege of membership. This year, for the first time, the privilege is being extended to eligible graduate student members. Also, this year for the first time, voters can view video footage of the candidates through the IEEE Annual Election Web site. All ballots must be received by the election vendor by 1 November 2006 at 12 noon, Central Time USA (18:00 Greenwich Mean Time) to be counted.

For additional information about the IEEE Annual Election, please contact corp-election@ieee.org.

29 August – The IEEE will dedicate four IEEE Milestones in Electrical Engineering and Computing in September honoring significant achievements in the engineering field around the world.

The first Milestone dedication is on 6 September at the University of Ireland in Maynooth. It commemorates the work of Reverend Nicholas Callan who made important contributions to the understanding of electrical induction and the development of the induction coil.

This will be followed by a dedication program on 9 September at the Thomas Alva Edison Historic site in Menlo Park, New Jersey, USA. The site is where Edison developed the world’s first industrial research and development laboratory devoted to developing new technology. Edison and his staff created the first system of incandescent electric lighting and electric power generation, and invented recorded sound and a commercially successful telephone transmitter at this location.

The other September IEEE Milestones in Electrical Engineering and Computing include the “The First Submarine Transatlantic Telephone Cable System (TAT-1) – which recognizes the different system sites – Oban, Scotland, Clarenville, Newfoundland and Sydney Mines, Nova Scotia; and the creation of Liquid Crystal Display technology at the RCA David Sarnoff Research Center in Princeton, New Jersey, USA.

Training in IEEE Wireless Standards and Certification in WiMAX Available to IEEE Members

29 August – IEEE and DoceoTech, a private provider of instructor-led courses, have established a partnership that will provide IEEE members with a 10 percent discount on standards-related courses. Through DoceoTech, members can earn WiMAX Professional Certification by specializing in one of three tracks: WiMAX Network Designer, WiMAX Network Installer or WiMAX Network Operator. DoceoTech also offers courses on cellular and satellite communications, Voice over IP, and Radio Frequency Identification. DoceoTech's faculty own 55 patents, and are principal creators and authors of technologies, standards, and reference books in their fields of concentration. For more information, to access courses by DoceoTech or to view course offerings from other IEEE education partners, visit The IEEE Education Partners Web page.

15 August – IEEE has announced the Beta release of IEEE.tv – an internet-based broadcasting network that will produce and deliver prerecorded, special-interest programming for engineers and technologists. A collaborative effort of IEEE volunteers, members and staff across the organization, the new service will initially be available only to members only through the myIEEE web portal, (www.ieee.org/myieee).

In September, general interest programming including those promoting careers in engineering and demonstrating new technology in everyday applications will be available to anyone who visits www.ieee.org/ieeetv. New programs will be added monthly. To read the full press release, click here.

President-Elect Leah Jamieson Named Dean of Purdue University College of Engineering

2 August – IEEE President-Elect Leah Jamieson was named dean of The Purdue University College of Engineering following a national search. The appointment, effective 15 August, is subject to approval by Purdue's board of trustees. Jamieson has served as interim dean of the College since December 2005. To read the full news release, visit the Purdue Web site.

Latest Version Of The National Electrical Safety Code^® Available Through IEEE

1 August – The National Electrical Safety Code^®, NESC^®, has been updated and the latest version, the 2007 National Electrical Safety Code, is now available through the IEEE, the primary resource for NESC information. The Code, which is used throughout the U.S. and in over 100 countries, offers practical guidance on safeguarding employees and the public when electrical supply and communication lines are designed, installed, operated and maintained. It is updated every five years to reflect changes in the electrical and communications industries. To read the full press release, visit the IEEE Standards Association Web site.

IEEE Mentoring Connection Offers New Benefit for Members Entering the Workforce

1 August – The IEEE Mentoring Connection is a new online service that matches IEEE members to facilitate a mentoring partnership. The program, designed as a way for members to share workplace experience and offer career guidance, serves as a career development tool for members who have recently entered the workforce and a way for more experienced members to give back to the community.

The IEEE Mentoring Connection addresses several of the 10 Strategic Challenges adopted by the Board in June, including developing membership models that maximize membership opportunities and establishing the IEEE as a leading provider of continuing education and professional development. The program had its origins in research centered on identifying and meeting the needs of IEEE GOLD members, those who are less than 10 years beyond their first degree. It was established as a pilot in 2005.

Accessed through the membership benefits section of the IEEE Web site, potential mentors and mentees are asked to provide information that becomes part of a database. Once registered, mentees may search the database and select a mentor based on technical or educational background, geographic location or other criteria. Also available to participants are online training materials, such as a mentoring resource guide.

For more information on the IEEE Mentoring Connection, visit www.ieee.org/mentoring or contact Cathy Downer, Regional Activities, at c.downer@ieee.org or +1 732 562 5506.

Clean and Renewable Energy Education Programs from Willis College Discounted for IEEE Members

1 August – IEEE and Willis College, a 110-year-old Ottawa, Canada-based institution, have established a partnership that will provide IEEE members with a 10 percent discount on Clean and Renewable Energy Education programs. The programs are offered in several languages including English, Spanish, Chinese and French. Courses are available on campus or online through their eLearning Portal.

Willis College offers certificates in Clean Energy (26 credits), Green Heat (14 credits), and Green Power (12 credits). The courses show participants how to use RETScreen software and uses a hands-on approach for each of the nine technologies covered (Passive Solar, Solar Air Heating, Solar Water Heating, Ground Source Heat Pumps, Solar Photovoltaics, Biomass, Wind Energy, Small Hydro, plus Co-generation). Two more technologies will be added in 2007 (energy efficiency in refrigeration and energy efficiency in heating). For more information or to access courses by Willis College, visit the Education Partners Program Web page.

7 July – A North Carolina State University computer design team won the IEEE Computer Society International Design Competition with its project “SunRay,” which uses ray-tracing combined with a numerical model to calculate the amount of radiation that falls on a three-dimensional form, which more readily approximates that of the human body.

The Beijing University of Posts and Telecommunications team (China) took second place with its project “Coal Mining Enhancing System,” and “Synairgy,” the project of the Politehnica University of Bucharest team (Romania), placed third.

The competition drew entries from 133 teams from 28 countries. Click here to read the full press release.

7 July – An article in IEEE Spectrum suggests Metcalfe’s Law, a theory of communications network growth first proposed by Robert M. Metcalfe in 1980, is incorrect. To read the full article, click here.

7 July – IEEE was ranked highly in several categories in the 2005 Journal Citations Reports recently issued by Thomson. Among the highlights, IEEE publishes:

   * 18 of the top 20 journals in electrical and electronic engineering
   * 9 of the top 10 journals in telecommunications
   * 7 of the top 10 journals in computer hardware and architecture
   * 8 of the top 20 journals in computer information systems
   * 8 of the top 20 journals in software engineering
   *the number-one journals in robotics (IEEE Transactions on Robotics), imaging science (IEEE Transactions on Medical Imaging) and telecommunications (IEEE Transactions on Mobile Computing)

Microelectronics Pioneer James D. Meindl To Receive 2006 IEEE Medal Of Honor

20 June – James D. Meindl, Director and Pettit Chair Professor of the Joseph M. Pettit Microelectronic Research Center at Georgia Institute of Technology in Atlanta, has been named recipient of one of technology’s most prestigious accolades – the 2006 IEEE Medal of Honor. His pioneering contributions to microelectronics transformed medical research, improved portable military devices and resulted in the creation of a portable electronic reading aid for the blind. To read the full press release, click here.

Proceedings of the IEEE Launches Updated Design and Offers Complimentary Copy For Potential Subscribers

20 June – The May 2006 issue of "Proceedings of the IEEE" was the first to feature an editorial and graphic redesign intended to give the journal a contemporary look that is not only more attractive, but easier for readers to navigate. To commemorate the relaunch, IEEE is giving away 1,000 copies of the June 2006 issue on Systems-on-Chip Design & Integration.

The publication’s redesign includes a new logo and a greater amount of color on all pages, as well as an easier to browse table of contents and opening layout for the feature articles. The publication also has increased its forum for editorial discussion and opinion with a new “point of view” monthly feature to facilitate public discussions on hot topics.The current issue takes an in-depth look at the subject of next-generation optical networks.

20 June – On 8 June 2006, the IEEE-SA Standards Board directed that all activities of the 802.20 Working Group be temporarily suspended. The suspension is effective immediately and will continue in effect until 1 October 2006. Click here to read the full statement.

7 June – The May/June issue of IEEE Intelligent Systems Magazine examines “The Future of Artificial Intelligence” as part of its observation of AI’s 50^th anniversary. The special issue features the magazine’s first “10 to Watch” awardees, profiling top artificial intelligence researchers. The winners were selected by the publication’s advisory board from 50 nominations received from Asia, Euorpe and North America. For more information, or to read the full text of the “10 to Watch” and other select articles, visit the Computer Society website.

2006 IEEE President Scholarship Awarded for Cost-Effective Laser Scanning Device

1 June – Brandon Lee Reavis, a sophomore from Cody High School in Cody, WY was awarded the 2006 IEEE Presidents’ Scholarship at the annual Intel International Science and Engineering Fair held 7-13 May, 2006, in Indianapolis. His 3D silhouette laser scanner – which scans an object and transfers it onto a computer as a 3D image – cost only $400 to produce. It captured more details of an object’s contour than existing scanners on the market that often cost more than $100,000. The scholarship consists of US $10,000 payable over four years of undergraduate study, a framed certificate and complementary student membership to the IEEE. For more information on the IEEE Presidents' Scholarship visit www.ieee.org/web/education/preuniversity/scholarship/index.html.

IEEE Security & Privacy Magazine and Cigital, Inc. Introduce Podcast Series on Security Issues

1 June – IEEE Security & Privacy magazine has teamed up with Cigital, Inc., a leading software quality management consulting firm, to host a series of podcasts featuring in-depth interviews with security gurus. The Silver Bullet Security Podcast with Gary McGraw, hosted by Cigital’s chief technology officer, is posted on the IEEE Computer Society website. McGraw is a renowned security expert, having authored a number of books in computer security. The initial podcast features a 20-minute conversation with Johns Hopkins University professor Avi Rubin, known for his work in electronic-voting security. The program is available free on the web at www.computer.org/security/podcasts/ or www.cigital.com/silverbullet.

IEEE Partners with Data Center University to Offer Members 10 Percent Discount on Data Center Design and Management Courses

1 June – IEEE members can take advantage of a 10 percent discount on data center design and management courses provided by Data Center University by American Power Conversion, a new partner in IEEE's continuing professional development program. Members can take courses that cover the fundamental issues of data center design, build, and management, as well as the latest high density applications that are creating challenging design issues for organizations. All courses are developed by actual data center executives with decades of combined experience running some of the world's most advanced data centers.

Continuing Education Units (CEUs) are available upon successful completion of a course and by mid-2006, Data Center University will also offer certification paths.

APC (American Power Conversion) is a leading provider of global, end-to-end solutions for real-time infrastructure. For more information on the program, to review other partners or to access courses by Data Center University, go to www.ieee.org/partners.

22 May – The IEEE has launched a new online research service developed to fill the needs of power utilities and other energy organizations. The IEEE Power & Energy Library provides targeted searching and browsing of power and energy-specific content from IEEE's wide collection of online technology publications.

The collection contains more than 10,000 specific power generation articles, 36,000 power electronics articles, 4,600 in nuclear power and thousands more in related technologies. The service also enables broader access to the full collection of IEEE journal and conference proceeding articles – a total of more than one million documents.

Subscribers pre-purchase a fixed amount of documents from one of four available access levels. After articles are downloaded, they are stored in an online 'file cabinet' that can be accessed and shared by all users at the subscribing organization. Subscription access continues until the purchased number of article downloads is exhausted.

The IEEE is offering free two-week organization trials of the IEEE Power & Energy Library to qualified companies. For information, visit www.ieee.org/powertrial. For more information on the IEEE Power & Energy Library, visit www.ieee.org/powerlibrary.

Finalists Selected in IEEE Computer Society International Design Competition

18 May – Ten teams of university students have been chosen as finalists in the IEEE Computer Society International Design Competition. The teams, which designed and implemented computer-based solutions to real-world problems to coincide with the theme of Preserving, Protecting and Enhancing the Environment, are from China, India, Jordan, Poland, Romania and the United States. To view the full press release, visit the Computer Society website.

17 May – The IEEE Intellectual Property Rights Office has posted Spanish, French and German versions of its electronic IEEE Copyright Form (eCF) online. An online “wizard” in the selected language prompts the user through the completion of the form, before signing the legal document, which is in English. The new forms enable authors who use English as a second language to better understand copyright transfer and their rights and privileges as IEEE authors. Additional translation enhancements are planned to display the eCF and online “wizard” in Japanese, Chinese and Russian by the end of 2006.

The eCF is available for all IEEE-copyrighted periodicals and conferences. Editors and conference organizers who wish to make the eCF available to their authors may register through a web-based form. More than 20,000 copyright transfers were signed and submitted through the online tool in 2005.

16 May – The IEEE and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced a new voluntary environmental performance standard to help large computer buyers make environmentally sound purchases. The new IEEE standard – IEEE 1680TM, “Standard for Environmental Assessment of Personal Computer Products” – was initiated by a group of manufacturers, environmentalists, and purchasers, and developed with support from the EPA. To view the joint announcement, visit the EPA website. For more information on the IEEE 1680TM standard, visit the IEEE-SA website.

16 May – The IEEE and 15 other science and technology publishers have joined together to help rebuild libraries virtually at Iraqi universities and government agencies. The publishers have deeply discounted the subscriptions to their digital libraries through an agreement with the U.S. National Academy of Sciences (NAS). To read the full story, visit The Institute’s website.

15 May – Members with questions for the 2007 IEEE President-Elect candidates can submit them online through Thursday 1 June at corp-election@ieee.org. Select questions will be answered by candidates John Vig and Lewis M. Terman and broadcasted on the IEEE Election website at www.ieee.org/elections during the voting period that runs from 1 September to 1 November. Election ballots will be mailed to all eligible voting members by 1 September. For more information about the annual election, visit www.ieee.org/elections , or contact IEEE Annual Election at corp-election@ieee.org.

15 May –The IEEE Foundation announced that the GE Foundation – the philanthropic organization of the General Electric Company – has added the IEEE Foundation to their Matching Gifts Program. The GE Foundation joins a list of over 50 organizations that currently match gifts to the IEEE History Center Funds held by the IEEE Foundation. For a full list of companies that participate in the program, visit the IEEE Foundation website.

New Pricing Studies Reveal IEEE Journals Less Than Half the Cost of Commercial Ones

15 May – Two new studies confirm that IEEE publications continue to be priced at less than half the price of competitive commercial publications. The annual Periodical Price Survey published in the 15 April issue of Library Journal averaged the prices of 4,893 scholarly titles documented in three Institute for Scientific Information (ISI) databases.

Based solely on price, the survey reveals that the average cost of an engineering journal in 2006 is US$1,756, and the average cost of a math and computer science journal is approximately $1,278. Using the same calculation method, the average price of an individual IEEE journal is just $593.

In addition, the 2006 edition of the annual IEEE Journal Pricing Study finds that based on a statistically average 500-page journal, the average cost of an electrical engineering/computer science journal is $747. The price of a 500-page IEEE journal is $427, which is 43 percent less than the market average.

"Our journal prices are about 15 percent less than our not-for-profit competition," reports William O'Connor, IEEE Director of Marketing Operations, "and 55 percent less than our commercial competition."

15 May – Two IEEE Spectrum articles will be recognized with SNAP EXCEL awards, presented annually by the Society of National Association Publishers. Who Killed the Virtual Case File, by Harry Goldstein, (September 2005), will be presented with a Gold Award in the Magazines Features Category (100K+ circulation), while China's Tech Revolution, (June 2005), is receiving a Silver Award in the Magazines Single Topic Issue Category (100K+ circulation). Awards will be presented on 14 June, in Washington, DC. The EXCEL program judges over 1,000 magazines, newsletters, scholarly journals, electronic publications and websites in the areas of editorial quality, design, general excellence, most improved and more.

5 May – The IEEE Standards Association has completed a standard to make rechargeable lithium-ion and lithium-ion polymer batteries for cellular phones more reliable and robust. The new standard, IEEE Livium(TM) 1725, “Standard for Rechargeable Batteries for Cellular Telephones,” is the first to adopt a systems approach in setting uniform criteria for battery design, production and evaluation. To view the full press release, visit the IEEE Standards Association website.

5 May – The new IEEE-USA Entrepreneurs Village is an online portal designed to provide high-tech entrepreneurs with tools and resources conducive to innovation and company growth. It links high-tech entrepreneurs with their peers, and prospective entrepreneurs with mentors. To view the full press release, visit the IEEE-USA website.

3 May – Expert Now IEEE, which features the best of IEEE's educational content delivered in one-hour long interactive online learning courses, is offering a free trial open to anyone with an IEEE web account. The three free courses offered are:

* "Real-Time Computer Systems"
* "Transition to Management"
* "Introduction to Wireless Ad-hoc Networks”

Expert Now IEEE helps individuals stay current in their fields, learn from recognized experts without having to travel and maintain their license or certifications by earning Continuing Education Units (CEUs).

information on Expert Now IEEE, contact Marilyn Catis at +1 732 562 5323; or mg.catis@ieee.org.

2006 IEEE Standards Association International Award: Call for Nominations

3 May – Nominations are being sought for the 2006 IEEE Standards Association International Award presented to an IEEE Standards Association individual member who has made extraordinary contributions to the advancement of the international goals of IEEE-SA. The deadline for nominations is 31 May 2006. Complete information and nomination forms are available at the IEEE Standards Association International Award web site.

20 April – The IEEE Standards Association has initiated development of a new standard to help utilities retrofit their communications systems to protect against cyber attack and other security threats. IEEE-SA has also begun work on a standard that will give utilities uniform engineering design methods and practices for minimizing or preventing lightning damage to communications equipment. For more information view the full press release.

20 April – The IEEE Computer Society is seeking nominations for its 60th Anniversary "Technology of the Decade Award," which will recognize a significant contribution to innovative information technology over the past 10 years. Nominations are due by Thursday, 15 June. For more information, view the full press release.

20 April – The IEEE Women in Engineering (WIE) group experienced its largest annual growth in its history in 2005, bringing the total number of WIE members to approximately 12,000, in 103 groups worldwide. For the complete story, visit The Institute online.

18 April – The April issue of Proceedings of the IEEE (v. 94, no. 4) surveys major perspectives on integrative physiology to show that "tissue, organ and system functions are as important as molecular and cell functions in defining a more global picture of living systems and, eventually, of patients." This special issue is now available through the IEEE Xplore digital library. All site visitors can view a short abstract and table of contents, while subscribers can view the complete articles.

18 April – The IEEE INFOCOM Conference on Computer Communications will celebrate its 25^th anniversary in Barcelona, Spain, 23 to 29 April. A panel on “Networking Retrospectives and Predictions” will feature perspectives on major evolutionary trends in computer communications over the past 25 years and explore the applications of new technologies in the future. The panel will be moderated by Harvey Freeman of Booz Allen Hamilton, a strategy and technology consulting firm. Panelists will include academics from the U.S. and Italy. IEEE INFOCOM is sponsored by the Communications Society. For details, or to register to attend, visit: https://www.ieee-infocom.org/2006/.

18 April – Eligible U.S. scholars and specialists are encouraged to apply for the Fulbright-Nokia Grant in Electronics, Information and Telecommunications Technology, which provides an opportunity for the recipient to collaborate with Finnish colleagues over a four to nine month period. The grant includes research and lecturing at a university in Finland. Interested candidates should contact a Finnish host university, to request a letter of invitation. The deadline for the 2007-2008 academic year is 1 August 2006. For more details, visit the Council for International Exchange of Scholars website.

18 April – The 2006 IEEE Spectrum / EE Times Annual Creativity in Electronics Awards were presented earlier this month in San Jose, Calif., in conjunction with the Embedded Systems Conference sponsored by CMP Media. The 2006 IEEE Spectrum ACE Award for Technology in the Service of Society was presented to American Superconductor and the Tennessee Valley Authority for the development of the Superconducting Synchronous Condensor (SuperVAR), which is designed to avoid wide-spread power grid collapses; the 2006 IEEE Spectrum ACE Award for Emerging Technology went to IBM, Sony and Toshiba for the Cell Microprocessor – cited as “the technology offering the greatest potential for financial success.”

13 April – The April issue of Folio Magazine named IEEE Spectrum Editor in Chief Susan Hassler as one of the “40 Most Influential People in the Industry.” Folio Magazine is "the Magazine for Magazine Management" read by magazine industry publishing executives worldwide.

The publication cited several of Hassler’s accomplishments since she took over as editor in December, 1999. Among these was the overhaul of the publication which included a September 2004 relaunch of www.spectrum.ieee.org that implemented “web only content” and placed a larger emphasis on the Web. Additionally Spectrum’s “design makeover” successfully adapted overly technical topics to a wide range of readers. According to Folio, Hassler “added more accessible coverage and a slick new design that helps the magazine make it to many newsstands. Now IEEE Spectrum’s competitive set is more Scientific American and Popular Science, rather than the dry trade books of yore.”

Other individuals included in Folio’s top 40 include Jon Stewart, host of "The Daily Show”; Jack Kliger, President & CEO of magazine publishing company Hachette Filipacchi and Maine Senator Susan Collins.

5 April – For every dollar donated to the IEEE Presidents’ Scholarship Fund through 2009, the IEEE Foundation will match it dollar-for-dollar up to US$100,000. Through this matching program, the IEEE Foundation seeks to raise the funds necessary to support the annual awarding of the IEEE Presidents’ Scholarship indefinitely. The IEEE Presidents’ Scholarship recognizes outstanding achievement in research and presentation of engineering knowledge in an IEEE field of interest. The recipient is selected each year by a group of IEEE volunteer judges from the field of students participating in the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair.

Since its inception in 1999, seven exceptional students have received this US$10,000 scholarship, which is payable over four years of undergraduate study in engineering or a related field. To make a donation, click here.

5 April – The IEEE Standards Association (IEEE-SA) has launched the IEEE Nanoelectronics Standards Roadmap (NESR) initiative to help nanotechnology innovations make a smooth transition from laboratory to marketplace in the communications, information technology, consumer products and optoelectronics sectors. To read the full announcement, visit the IEEE-SA website.

5 April – IEEE Spectrum received four Jesse H. Neal Awards for business journalism presented by the American Business Media trade association last month. The June 2005 special report on China’s Tech Revolution was named the “best single theme or special issue of a magazine” while Harry Goldstein’s “Who Killed the Virtual Case File” (September 2005) was named “Best Single Article” in the category of magazines with more than US$7 million in revenue. Goldstein’s investigative report explored how the FBI spent US$100 million on a case-management system that was ultimately unusable. Both award-winning items were named as runners up for the “Grand Neal Award” – the organizations’ highest honor. It was the first time in recent memory that the same magazine won both runner-up recognitions.

4 April – The Ethics and Member Conduct Committee (EMCC) has established an award for an IEEE member or an organization employing IEEE members that has shown exemplary ethical behavior or practices. The deadline for nominations for the first IEEE Award for Distinguished Ethical Practices is 1 July 2006. Rules and the nomination form are available on the EMCC Web site “Other Awards Programs” link on the IEEE Awards Web site.

4 April – Released in a downloadable PDF format, IEEE-USA has published three new eBooks:

*The Reliability of the Electric Transmission Infrastructure in the 21st Century, An Analysis: The Energy Policy Act of 2005;
*The State of Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) Implementation and Its Policy Implications;
*Interoperability for the National Health Information Network (NHIN).

Additional EBooks covering communicating with Members of Congress, strategic thinking, career transitions, tech policy and others will be released later this year. Most eBooks are available to IEEE members for a special discounted price of $4.95; nonmembers pay $14.95. To order, go to https://boldfish.ieee.org:80/u/2302/103318

Online Publications Now Counter Compliant

4 April – Usage statistics for all IEEE online subscription package subscribers now conform to the international set of COUNTER standards and protocols governing the recording and exchange of online usage data. The new COUNTER standards provide universities and libraries with a better understanding of how the information they purchase is utilized, and will allow publishers and industry professionals to see how the information products they circulate are accessed by customers online.

President-Elect Leah Jamieson Receives Award for Community Engineering Program

29 March – The Electrical and Computer Engineering Department Heads Association (ECEDHA) presented its Innovative Program Award to IEEE President-Elect Leah Jamieson and Edward J. Coyle, a Purdue University colleague, for the creation of the Engineering Projects in Community Service Program (EPICS®) at its annual conference. The honor is awarded to a department or individuals that have developed and demonstrated a successful, innovative engineering education program. Now in its 10th year, EPICS lets student teams design, build and deploy real systems to solve engineering-based problems for local community service and education organizations. Founded at Purdue University, where Jamieson is currently serving as interim dean of the College of Engineering, there are now EPICS programs at 16 universities, including the University of Aukland, New Zealand, and one local high school. EPICS has also been honored by the National Academy of Engineering, the Carnegie Foundation, the National Science Foundation and the IEEE Education Society, among others. For more information, visit the EPICS website.

IEEE Computer Society and Samsung SDS Team to Deliver Certification to Korean Software Developer Market

20 March – The IEEE Computer Society and Samsung SDS Multicampus are teaming up to deliver both exam preparation courses and computer-based testing services for the Society’s Certified Software Development Professional (CDSP) Programs in Korea. Samsung SDS Multicampus, the educational institute of Samsung SDS, will develop its own CSDP test prep courses using the Computer Society’s Software Engineering Body of Knowledge (SWEBok) with support from the Society’s Professional Practices Committee. It is the Computer Society’s first CSDP strategic partner. Visit the Computer Society web page to view the full announcement.

20 March – The March issue of The Institute examines the new journal launched by the IEEE Signal Processing Society, IEEE Transactions on Information Forensics and Security.

13 March -- At the IEEE Regional Activities Board Meeting on 18 February the IEEE Oman Section in Region 8 was approved, raising the total number of IEEE Sections to 312. Additionally, the IEEE Peshawar Subsection of the IEEE Islamabad Section in Region 10 was approved.

13 March -- On 11 April, IEEE Spectrum will host its second online Career Accelerator Forum. The forum will offer insight and advice on a variety subjects including earning an advanced degree, staying ahead in a field, landing a dream job, and changing careers. Participants can submit questions for panelists during the interactive event. For more information and a list of panelists, visit the online IEEE Spectrum Career Accelerator Forum.

13 March – Publisher John Wiley & Sons is currently offering 20 percent off all IEEE Press titles. IEEE Press, the largest IEEE book publishing division, is a leading source of technological information and publisher of books in both print and online format. The sale ends 31 March. For more information, visit https://www.wiley.com/promo/ieee.

Computational intelligence is defined as a multi-faceted discipline dedicated to the shared knowledge of design, theory, development, and application of biologically and linguistically motivated computational models. IEEE Transactions on Information Forensics and Security will cover related fields such as digital rights management, content identification, transaction tracking, surveillance, networking, law enforcement, and legal and ethical issues.

EWeek Extended: Global Online Marathon Promotes Women in Engineering Profession

6 March – Providing participants with a day’s worth of expert engineering perspectives, the second annual “Global Marathon For, By and About Women in Engineering” will take place from noon EST on 23 March and concludes at noon EST on 24 March. In correlation with Women’s History Month, the marathon consists of a series of live Internet chats and teleconferences organized by the EWeek committee. IEEE member Ayanna Howard, Associate Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering at the Georgia Institute of Technology, will present “Cool Jobs for Engineers” as part of the marathon.

The event provides a forum to address a myriad of issues including the under representation of women in engineering careers; promoting awareness of opportunities for girls and women in the field; and helping dispel myths about women and girls in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM). For more information on the Marathon and list of presentations, visit the EWeek website.

6 March – The March issue of IEEE Spectrum features a Carnegie Mellon University Study which concluded that cellular phones and other portable electronic devices can interfere with standard airplane equipment.

This contradicts the findings from a July 2005 report by a U.S. House of Representatives subcommittee, whose ultimate objective is to allow consumers to use their own wireless devices during flight, according to the article. To view the full story, visit IEEE Spectrum.

21 Feb. – This week engineers in the U.S. and around the world are participating in Engineers Week, designed to promote awareness and understanding of the profession. EWeek activities are being held in several countries including Australia, Canada, Columbia, Dubai, Germany, India, Mexico, the Netherlands and Trinidad and Tobago.

For the third consecutive year, IEEE-USA is co-sponsoring the Discover Engineering Family Day on 18 Feb. at the National Building Museum in Washington, D.C. The interactive, hands-on event introduces attendees to engineering principals, including a demonstration of how an oscillator works. IEEE volunteers will also distribute build-a-project kits to many of the children onsite.

Other EWeek activities include: Future City Competition national finals (20-22 Feb.); Connecting Educators to Engineering Day (22 Feb.) and Introduce a Girl to Engineering Day (23 Feb.).

EWeek is a coalition of more than 120 engineering, educational and cultural societies, as well as corporations and government agencies. It was founded in 1951 by the National Society of Professional Engineers. For more information, visit the EWeek website.

21 Feb. – The Educational Activities Board is seeking nominations for seven awards that recognize IEEE members, pre-university educators and employers of members who have made noteworthy contributions to education. The deadline for nominations is 30 April. For award descriptions, honorarium details and nomination packets visit the Educational Activities Board Website.

21 Feb. – The IEEE Computer Society’s Certified Software Development Professional (CSDP) examination will be offered at hundreds of sites in over 74 countries for the first half testing window. The CSDP program offers mid-level software engineers and software developers an opportunity to set themselves apart from others in the field by earning this professional credential. The CSDP exam is designed to measure an individual's mastery of the fundamental knowledge required to perform the functions of an experienced software engineer.

The CSDP exam will be offered at Prometric Testing Centers in two testing windows in 2006, 1 April – 30 June and 1 September – 30 November. The application deadline for the first testing window is 15 March. To review a list of requirements and download an application, visit www.computer.org/certification.

21 Feb. – The San Antonio Independent School District (SAISD) has chosen excerpts from exhibits in the IEEE Virtual Museum to supplement a tutoring program serving over 750 students who are children of migrant workers. The exhibits will be burned onto CDs, which teachers can bring to the student's home for playback on a laptop computer. SAISD was particularly enthusiastic about the Virtual Museum material, stating, "The articles are so relevant and so dynamic," Migrant Department Coordinator Celia Boriack wrote to the History Center. "This is the kind of reading material that can open a discussion between the student and the tutor."

21 Feb. – A list of IEEE Technical Society and Council continuing education programs can be accessed via the Educational Activities’ Society Education Page. Site visitors can quickly browse the catalog of courses and tutorials by subject area and download online tutorials.

21 Feb. – The IEEE Computer Society has launched IEEE ReadyNotes, a series of guidebooks and tutorials that serve as quick-start references for busy computing professionals. Topics include software engineering, 3D graphics, databases, and more. Available as immediately downloadable PDF files, the seven guidebooks are all priced below US$20. For more information, visit https://www.computer.org/ReadyNotes

Embedded Systems Conference Offers 10 Percent Discount to IEEE Members

21 Feb. – IEEE Members who register for the Embedded Systems Conference Silicon Valley 2006 by 7 March will receive 10% off the conference registration price of $2295.

The Conference will be held from 3-7 April 2006 at the McEnery Convention Center, San Jose, CA. For more information, visit https://www.embedded.com/esc/sv. Use code UX2 to register.

New IEEE Virtual Exhibit Investigates Nanotechnology

6 Feb. – The IEEE Virtual Museum has launched a new exhibit entitled " Small is Big: The Coming Nanotechnology Revolution." Sponsored by the IEEE Foundation, the exhibit examines the cutting-edge field of microscopic technologies which, according to the museum, will "change factories, reshape the environment, cure diseases and greatly expand our technological horizons." The exhibit investigates nanotechnology's 30-year history and speculates on where the "nanotechnological revolution" may lead in the future.

6 Feb. – The task group responsible for developing the IEEE 802.11n project has voted to accept, as a baseline, a joint proposal to amend the IEEE 802.11™ wireless local area network (WLAN) standard by adding specifications for new technologies that will raise WLAN connection speeds to as much as 600 Mbps (megabits per second). A draft of the amendment is expected in late 2006, with publication slated for 2007. For the full press release, visit the IEEE Standards Association; for more information on the IEEE 802.11n working group, visit https://www.ieee802.org/11/.

6 Feb. – In January, 2005 IEEE President W. Cleon Anderson and a representative from HP Nigeria dedicated the IEEE/HP Telecenter with local dignitaries at the University of Ibadan in Nigeria. The Telecenter, conceived by an IEEE Spectrum reporter in collaboration with the IEEE Nigeria Section, features 60 computer workstations with complimentary online access to more than 1.3 million articles in the IEEE Xplore digital library. The project was jointly funded by the IEEE, IEEE Foundation and Hewlett-Packard Foundation.

6 Feb. – The IEEE Grade of Fellow is conferred by the Board of Directors upon individuals with an extraordinary record of accomplishments in any of the IEEE fields of interest. The total number selected in any one year cannot exceed one-tenth percent of the total voting IEEE membership. For a full list of the Class of 2006 Fellows and the citations describing their accomplishments, visit the IEEE Fellow Program website.

6 Feb. – The Grainger Foundation, based in Lake Forest, Illinois, has provided a US$150,000 three-year pledge that will be matched by funds provided by the Power Engineering Society to finance student activities for 2006 through 2008. The program will encourage student participation at IEEE Power Engineering Society meetings and conferences. It also will fund special student program activities including energy-related facility and technical tours as well as student and faculty industry panel discussions and luncheons. For more information, visit The IEEE Foundation.

6 Feb. – A new IEEE Standards in Education web portal that provides open access training on the history, use, and applications of standards has been developed for use in U.S. undergraduate electrical and computer engineering and engineering technology programs. It includes tutorials, case illustrations, news and features section, and a glossary and reference guide. The portal was created by the IEEE Standards in Education Task Force (SETF) with funding and cooperation from the IEEE Foundation, National Science Foundation, IEEE Educational Activities Board, and IEEE Standards Association. For more information or to access these materials, visit the IEEE Standards in Education web portal.

Microelectronics Pioneer to Receive 2006 Medal of Honor

18 Jan. – James D. Meindl has been named the 2006 recipient of the IEEE Medal of Honor for his "pioneering contributions to microelectronics, including low power, biomedical, physical limits and on-chip interconnect networks." His many accomplishments include research into solving the key problems of the physical limits of gigascale silicon technology integration and on-chip interconnections, and his development of novel low-power integrated circuits and sensors for a portable electronic reading aid for the blind.

Meindl, an IEEE Fellow, is the Joseph M. Petit Chair Professor of Microelectronics and Director of the Microelectronics Research Center at Georgia Institute of Technology in Atlanta, Georgia, USA.

The IEEE Medal of Honor, sponsored by the IEEE Foundation will be presented during the annual IEEE Honors Ceremony Saturday, 24 June, in Minneapolis. The event also recognizes one corporation and 16 other engineers, educators, scientists and industry leaders who have made significant contributions to technology and their profession.

For more information about the IEEE Medal of Honor and the entire roster of 2006 IEEE award and medal recipients, visit www.ieee.org/awards.

Engineers Week Expands Around the World

18 Jan. – Engineers across the U.S. and in other countries are making plans for Engineers Week 19-25 Feb. According to The Institute, EWeek was initiated in the United States but programs and materials are now also accessible to countries around the world. EWeek activities are now held in several countries, including Australia, Canada, Columbia, Dubai, Germany, India, Mexico, the Netherlands and Trinidad and Tobago.

Engineers Week kits are available online free of charge at www.eweek.org for volunteers and other individuals interested in planning local activities in their area. Each kit includes the 2006 EWeek poster and a variety of activities designed to interest youngsters in engineering, including "How Much Time Does It Take?" and "Radioactive Ping-Pong Balls" as well as other related information. To request a kit, visit https://shop.eweek.org/eweek/dept.asp?dept%5Fid=1 and click on “Engineer Volunteer

Kits.”

Included in this year’s program is “Connecting the World to Engineering” – a global Internet initiative co-sponsored by IEEE-USA. It consists of forums and live teleconferences that link engineering undergraduates and young engineering professionals with business leaders in the engineering community worldwide.

New to the EWeek lineup in 2006 is “Connecting Educators to Engineering”, a program developed by this year’s lead society for EWeek, the Society of Women Engineers, and its corporate partner, Northrup Grumman Corp. Connecting Educators to Engineering links engineers with educators to promote engineering careers in schools. Additionally, six training seminars will be broadcast live on the EWeek Web site in February at https://www.eweek2006.org.

Engineers Week is a formal coalition of more than 70 engineering, education, and cultural societies, and more than 50 corporations and government agencies dedicated to raising public awareness of engineers’ positive contributions to the quality of life.

Proceedings of the IEEE Explores Impact of Digital TV

18 Jan. – The IEEE has published one of the first comprehensive collections of digital television (DTV) tutorial papers in the January 2006 issue of "Proceedings of the IEEE" (v. 94, no. 1). The publication includes two overview papers and three special sections from international DTV experts offering insight into the growing impact of digital television. Included is a detailed description of each of the primary emerging DTV Systems that technically dominate North America, Europe and Japan. The table of contents and abstracts for all papers in this issue can be found in the IEEE Xplore digital library, where subscribers may also access the full text of the articles. For more information, visit https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/xpl/tocresult.jsp?isnumber=33232 .

IEEE Launches Phase 1 of Web Site Revamp

18. Jan. – IEEE members and other frequent visitors to www.ieee.org have likely noticed some changes since year end. The updates are the first of several planned enhancements to the organization website and are intended to make the site a more valuable resource for members, the technical profession, and the general public.

The initial updates, which are based on both user comments and Web site best practices, include:
· Additional search capabilities; Users can search the IEEE Web site, the entire Web (using Google) and the IEEE Xplore® digital library database
· Refreshed design, more reflective of the organization’s diverse activities and audiences
· Shorter, more user-friendly URLs
· Migration toward a more streamlined navigation utilizing information portals and “What Do You Want to Do” options to help visitors locate content relevant to their interest area

As the first step in an iterative process, these enhancements will pave the way for ongoing improvements. The IEEE encourages visitors to take a tour of the revamped site and to continue to share feedback as the site evolves.

5 Jan. – Later this month, the IEEE will introduce the first of several planned enhancements to the organization website. All of the updates – many of which are based on recommendations and comments from existing site users – are intended to make www.ieee.org a more valuable resource for members, the technical profession, and the general public. Web site best practices are also being taken into account during this process.

The initial update will reveal a new site design and will also begin to migrate the organization’s extensive range of educational and informational content into more streamlined navigation with additional search capabilities. The web launch team will be collecting feedback from users as the site evolves.

5 Jan. – IEEE Educational Activities has added four new members to its Education Partners Program (IEEE-EPP). All education partners are universities and corporations that have been reviewed and approved by IEEE volunteers to ensure IEEE members receive the most effective learning resources available. IEEE-EPP offers on-line degree programs, certifications and courses at up to a 10 percent discount to members. Through IEEE-EPP, IEEE members have access to more than 6,000 courses from 15 providers to help them meet their continuing education needs.

The new members are:
*Kelley School of Business
*Learning Tree
*RFID Technical Institute
*Thomson NETg

For a full listing of IEEE Education Partners and more information on the Partners program, visit the IEEE's Education Partners website.

5 Jan. – IEEE President-elect Leah Jamieson has been appointed by Purdue University, West Lafayette, Ind., to serve as interim dean of Engineering. She currently is the Ransburg Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering, and associate dean of Engineering for undergraduate education at Purdue. Her new position begins on 1 March. For more information, visit the Purdue University Website.

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