March 22, 2011
School of Engineering, Amritapuri
 

Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham hosted ECLETIC 2011 on March 6, with participation from 51 student IEEE chapters from all over Kerala. The event consisted of invited talks, discussions, technical tutorials on compressed sensing and a bio inspired approach to optimization and a ProjeX contest.
 

The event also served as a training program for new executive committee members and branch counselors of the IEEE student chapters, in which they received instructions for moving their chapters forward.
 

The gathering at the Amritapuri campus was warmly welcomed by distinguished educators Dr. Sankaran, Principal of Amrita School of Engineering, Mr. S. Gopakumar, IEEE Kerala Section SAC Advisor, Jaison Abey Sabu, Chairperson of LINK Kerala Section, Mr. Senthil, Secretary of IEEE and Mr. Akshay, LINK student representative to the dais.
 

After the inaugural ceremony, the gathering viewed a five-minute video of Mata Amritanandamayi Math’s Amala Bharatham Campaign which showed students and volunteers joyfully cleaning up public places, and rendering selfless service.
 

Mr. S. Gopakumar delivered the key note address in which he discussed how IEEE helps its members with personal and professional growth.
 

“IEEE is your professional home,” he said. “When you associate with IEEE you will be able to get in touch with professionals in this field. These people could later become your employer, your boss, or your senior.”
 

IEEE assists its members in finding and changing jobs. Members can discover opportunities and receive constructive criticism of their work.
 

Mr. S. Gopakumar advised participants to maintain their relationship with IEEE and use IEEE assets to enhance their career. He also shared his perspective on LINK (Local Integrated Network of Kerala IEEE).
 

“LINK has grown from strength to strength,” he shared. “Now the LINK trained volunteers are occupying executive committee positions in IEEE. That itself shows the degree of success. More and more people are coming in as LINK volunteers.”
 

Mr. Jaison and Mr. Senthil together delivered an enlightening lecture on student branch operations and officer roles. Mr. Jaison began by defining a leader and leadership. He pointed out that a person becomes a leader when others deem him or her worthy of being followed. To maintain a loyal following, a good leader should be competent.
 

“Whatever achievement you make, unless you report it or document it, it has no value,” he said. Mr. Jaison concluded his talk by requesting that students document all student branch achievements periodically.
 

Mr. Senthil explained the operations of a student branch. “The LINK tries to bring as many people as possible to IEEE activities,” he said. “The more you get involved in IEEE activities, the more you benefit.”
 

Beny Denitious, a participant from Mar Baselios College in Trivandrum, offered her opinion.
 

“I love working with IEEE and will continue doing it. I am just a student, but I get to mingle with professionals through IEEE. I have read about Amrita’s projects – they are great. Amrita is far ahead in technical activities.”