IEEE Canada Newsletter

It's pleasure to report on the outcome of our Spring'08 Regional Board Meeting which was held on Saturday and Sunday, May 3 - 4th, in Niagara Falls. The meeting was followed by a very successful CCECE'08 which was well attended with the highlight on the celebration at the Awards Banquet . Preceding the Region Board meeting on Friday May 2nd was a one day Training Session for Section Chairs . The Training sessions were well attended , the topics and the speakers were very well selected focusing on the new Member Geographical Activities (MGA) Model. I would like to thank all the invited speakers for their efforts and for attending our meetings. Also, to thank the team of organizers for their fine volunteer work that added success to these events.

Adhoc Committee on the History of IEEE Canada has been approved

With the impending arrival of the IEEE 125th Anniversary Celebrations, there is an urgent need to establish an ad hoc committee to document the History of IEEE Canada based on expanding existing resources documenting these matters. The Board has approved forming the Adhoc Committee on the History of IEEE Canada. The purpose of this Committee is to focus on the History of IEEE-Canada since it started .

To collect and document the History of the Region with a view to publishing a History of IEEE Canada in Hard Copy as well as in Electronic Form.

To recommend on financial implications, a budget, and explore means of funding for reporting to the IEEE Canada Board in the Fall Meeting at St. Johns, Newfoundland.

This project should be completed by beginning of 2009 for the 125 years Anniversary of IEEE.

The Committee Structure is as follows:

President-elect Om Malik has agreed to be the Coordinator of this Committee on the Executive Committee and the Board of IEEE Canada .

Directors Emeriti Wally Read and Ray Findlay are Co-Chairs.

Members are the Past Presidents of IEEE Canada as follows:

Wally Read, Ray Findlay, Bob Alden, Linda Weaver, Vijay Bhargava, Tony
Eastham, Celia Desmond, Dave Kemp, Mo El-Hawary, Bill Kennedy, Bob Hanna

The committee has the discretion to include additional members on an as needed basis. (Ron Potts and Pelle Westlind have showed their interest to join the committee and both are welcomed).

Dr. Ferial El-Hawary, P.Eng., F. IEEE, F. EIC, F. MTS
2008-2009 President, IEEE Canada
2008-2009 Director, Region 7

Ø Your News

Engineers honor Alexander Graham Bell

By Cate Bearugh
Paris Staff Star

"We make an effort to recognize these things across the world. Some are obvious like the Alexander Graham Bell's achievement but others are not like the 7,500 kilowatt transmission line out in Quebec," Maryan told The Paris Star. The plaque honouring Bell is one of just eight or nine in Canada placed by IEEE and one of only about 100 in the world.

The full report of this event is available on Paris Star's web site.

Ø Our Members in the Spotlight

Professor Masoud Farzaneh is awarded the Charles-Biddle Prize

On May 5th, the prestigious Charles Biddle prize was awarded to Professor Masoud Farzaneh by the Minister of Immigration and Cultural Communities, Ms. Yolande James during a special ceremony in the Quebec National Assembly. This award highlights the outstanding contribution of a person from cultural communities to the development of Quebec society.

A native of Iran, Prof. Farzaneh is currently Chairholder of the Industrial Research Chair on Atmospheric Icing of Power Network Equipment (CIGELE) and the Canada Research Chair on Engineering of Power Network Atmospheric Icing, at University of Quebec in Chicoutimi (UQAC). Shortly after his arrival in Canada, in 1982, as visiting researcher, he realized the strategic importance of research on atmospheric icing to ensure the reliability of transmission and distribution of electricity for Quebec and other cold climate regions.

Prof. Farzaneh receiving the Charles-Biddle prize from Ms. Yolande James, Quebec Minister of Immigration

In 2007, he was appointed by the International Council of Large Electric Systems (CIGRE) to head working group WG B2.29, composed of international experts, on anti- and de-icing systems for HV and UHV overhead lines, to ensure more effective protection of power networks in extreme conditions of icing. In addition to his activities with CIGRÉ, he holds several other positions at the international level. In particular, he is Chairman of IEEE DEIS Outdoor Insulator Committee, Associate Editor of IEEE Transactions on Dielectrics and Electrical Insulation, member of the editorial board of the High Voltage Engineering journal in China, and the Journal of Iranian Electrical and Electronics Engineers. Moreover, he was selected among the 100 Leaders and Dreamers - Canada's Greatest Innovators by the Maclean's magazine. During his career, he has trained over 180 highly qualified personnel, many of them now holding key positions in research and in the electricity industry. Also, he has to his credit over 600 scientific publications, assuring diffusion of the knowledge developed under his leadership. The quality of scientific contributions by Professor Farzaneh has been acknowledged by the attribution of several prestigious awards, as well as the distinctions of Fellow of IEEE, Fellow of IEE (Institution of Electrical Engineers) and Fellow of ICI (Canadian Institute engineers). Closer to home, he is the recipient of the Discovery Prize of the Quebec Science scientific magazine, the Circle of Excellence Award from the University of Quebec, and Louis-Elie Beauchamp prize for regional scientific merit. All our congratulations!

Newly elevated IEEE Canada members to Senior Status

The A&A meeting was held on May 24 at Prince Westin Hotel, Toronto, ON. The review panel members consisted of 17 SMIEEE and 1 FIEEE. The panel reviewed roughly 200 applications for elevation to Senior Member grade from all around the world. The names of members elevated to Senior member grade will become available in June.

Ø Call for Papers

2nd Climate Change Technology Conference (May 12-15, 2009, Hamilton, ON)

The 2nd Climate Change Technology Conference (CCTC 2009) is a Canadian and international forum for engineers, scientists, policy advisors, industry and other stakeholders to share and exchange new information and ideas for dealing with climate change and global warming. It also provides an opportunity for participants to keep abreast of emerging techniques and technologies for the mitigation of, and adaptation to, the impacts of climate change. The CCTC2009 is organized by the Engineering Institute of Canada (EIC) and nine of its member societies. The CCTC2009 will be held on the campus of McMaster University in Hamilton. The theme of the conference is:

CLIMATE CHANGE ... DEAL WITH IT!

The above theme reflects the need to prepare practical responses to climate change and global warming. The proposed conference topic categories are:

· Impacts: Environmental and economic impacts; potential safety, health and security risks

· Monitoring: GHG tracking, emission measurement, engineering issues and indicators

· Modeling: Emissions/economic/climate, infrastructure design, energy systems and lifecycle

· Mitigation: GHG management, carbon free energy, carbon management and biofixation

· Adaptation: Engineering design, planning, processes, tools, risk management

· Biorefining: Products, biochemical and thermo-chemical technology

· Education: Strategies, paradigms and effect on the professiont

· Standards: International standards initiatives, protocols, benefits of standards and other initiatives

· Policy and Regulation: Emission trading, environment, carbon sink and emission reduction incentives

Interested authors/panelists are invited to submit a proposal in English or French for a paper, poster paper or presentation. Paper manuscripts will be subject to peer review. Proposals should include:
(a) The title and an abstract (< 400 words) providing a synopsis of the central theme;
(b) The author's preferred topic category, see list above;
(c) A list of full names, affiliations and contact information for the authors or panelists and
(d) A designated primary contact with full contact information.
Proposals should be submitted, by September 15, 2008, via the Conference website at www.cctc2009.ca or sent by mail, fax or e-mail to:

Mr. Eric Williams
Technical Subcommittee Chair, c/o Canoe-About Inc.
16 Brookview Crescent, RR#2
Tiverton, Ontario, N0G 2T0

Fax: 519-396-6926
E-mail: info@canoe-about.ca
Phone: 519-396-8844

Dates to Remember:
Proposal submission: 2008/09/15
Notification of proposal acceptance: 2008/10/30
Draft manuscript submission: 2008/12/15
Acceptance notification & reviewers' comments: 2009/03/0 1
Final manuscript submission: 2009/04/03.

For more information, please visit the conference web site at www.cctc2009.ca

Ø Message from Oceans'08 MTS/IEEE Conference

I note with pride that IEEE-Canada (R7) hosted the prestigious IEEE/OCEANS Conference and Exhibition for a number of years. The conference was hosted by Halifax, Nova-Scotia and Victoria, B.C. for more than once and currently for the first OCEANS'07 MTS/IEEE Vancouver, B.C. and OCEANS'08 MTS/IEEE Quebec.

I am honored to serve as a General Co-Chair for OCEANS'08 MTS/IEEE Quebec and to lead the superb team of the Organizing Committee Members with their fine volunteer work. I invite you to join us in exploring and learning more from the Conference Theme "Oceans, Poles and Climate: Technological Challenges" . In addition to OCEANS traditional technical papers, OCEANS'08 MTS/IEEE Quebec will specifically offer presentations to highlight significant technological challenges involved in Remote Sensing and studying the polar seas, with their profound effect on climate and the future of the bio-sphere.

A series of plenary, keynote and technical papers will focus on the 'Challenges' theme and cover a comprehensive and diverse range of topics that highlight the advances and innovations being made in all aspects of oceanic technology and how these enhance our knowledge and understanding of this unique and precious environment. Also, this Conference features a wide variety of related Tutorials Topics designed to upgrade participants engineering knowledge. Students Program with Students Papers Competition is included. Exhibits Program with over 100 booths will show case the Marine Industry at OCEANS'08 MTS/IEEE Quebec.

Quebec City is having a Historical Celebration marking the 400th years anniversary of the City. Come and join us for the great party. We are looking forward to have you all in Quebec City in 2008 to share with us this remarkable celebration.

Dr. Ferial El-Hawary, P.Eng., F.IEEE, F.EIC, F.MTS
General Co-Chair of OCEANS'08 MTS/IEEE Quebec

Ø Conferences

Upcoming IEEE Conferences in Canada

ISEI 2008 - IEEE International Symposium on Electrical Insulation
June 9-12, 2008
Renaissance Vancouver Hotel, Harbourside, Vancouver, BC

EML 2008 - 14th Symposium on Electromagnetic Launch Technology
June 10-13, 2008
The Fairmont Empress Victoria, Vancouver, BC

CMBEC31- 31st Canadian Medical and Biological Engineering Conference
June 10-13, 2008
Centre Mont-Royal, Montreal, Quebec

IMSTW 2008 - 14th International Mixed Signal Testing Workshop
June 18-20, 2008
Renaissance Vancouver Hotel Harborside, Vancouver, BC

ITS 2008 - 9th International Conference On Intelligent Tutoring Systems
June 23-27, 2008
Marriott Chateau-Champlain & Universite du Quebec Montreal, QC

QBSC 2008 - 24th Biennial Symposium on Communications
June 24-26, 2008
Queen's University Kingston, ON

ISTAS 2008 - International Symposium on Technology and Society
June 26-28, 2008
Fredericton, New Brunswick

2008 IEEE International Symposium on Information Theory - ISIT 06
July 6-11, 2008
Toronto, ON

IPCC 2008 - International Professional Communication Conference
July 13-16, 2008
Concordia University Montreal, QC

EMBC 2008 - 30th Annual International Conference of the IEEE Engineering in Medicine and Biology Society
August 20-25, 2008
Vancouver, BC

ICWCUCA 2008- 2nd International Conference on Wireless on Communications in Underground and Confined Areas
Aug 25-27, 2008
The Forestel Hotel Vald-'Or, QC

All IEEE Conferences in Canada

Find information about these and all IEEE Conferences in Canada here.

Ø IEEE News

Certification Programs Aimed at Wireless Engineers

GROWING DEMAND Rapid growth in wireless communications has created a need for communications professionals. But what must they know? A standard baseline of knowledge-or a test to certify a communication expert's practical knowledge-did not exist until March, when the IEEE Communications Society launched its Wireless Communication Engineering Technologies (WCET) certification program. It's aimed at engineers who already hold a bachelor's degree from an accredited institution and have about three years of experience.

More than 100 industry experts from different wireless industry sectors helped develop the program and the exam that goes with it. Areas the exam covers include radio-frequency engineering, propagation, and antennas; access technologies; network and service architecture; network management and security; facilities infrastructure; licensing agreements; industry standards and policies; and government regulations. The Communications Society developed a handbook to help candidates understand eligibility requirements, as well as how to apply, study, and take the exam. Visit http://www.comsoc.org/bin/wcet/request1.html to request a free copy.

"We anticipate that the WCET certification program will become the standard that organizations will use to develop curricula for wireless communications training," says IEEE Member Rolf Frantz, the program's industry relations manager and a communications industry veteran.

The first testing period is between 22 September and 10 October, with the next period slated for March. The cost of the exam is US $450 for IEEE members and $500 for non-members.

Nanotechnology Explained

Many engineers are still mystified by just what nanotechnology is all about, nor do they know how to involve themselves in what is expected to greatly benefit such fields as electronics, medicine, and the environment. To help professionals get a handle on what's going on, a recent online seminar covered the fundamentals of nanotechnology. To learn more, visit http://bmsmail3.ieee.org:80/u/11386/40211780

Sections Congress 2008

Celebrating Volunteer Achievements Worldwide is theme of Sections Congress 2008 to be held September 19-22, 2008 in Quebec City, Quebec, Canada.

Ø Views, Features and Analysis

So, I got my engineering degrees, worked in the industry, changing jobs 3 or 4 times, each time looking for a challenge to broaden my perspective on the industry, fulfill my desire to learn new concepts and be of service to the world around me. When I received an e-mail from IEEE Toronto Section membership development lead to apply for IEEE Senior membership grade, I thought to myself here is my opportunity to put all that I have done to a test.

Being endorsed by my peers was priceless! Of course, getting a $25 (USD) gift certificate to apply to any Society membership and a letter of recognition sent to employer (upon request) are good stuff as well --sort of an "icing on the cake".

Once there, I got to pass this on! I can serve as a reference for others who aspire to become a Senior Member of IEEE and/or sit on a panel to review applications for Senior Membership.

You may have more questions, such as:

"Why would I want to be a Senior Member of the IEEE? Doesn't that designation indicate I'm getting old? Do I have to be a professor to qualify? Must I pass some kind of test? How much more will it cost me? These are just some of the questions posed by members inquiring about what it takes to become an IEEE Senior Member."

Find answers in the article published in The Institute on-line.

For more information and to apply visit Senior Member place on the IEEE portal.

Upcoming Events

Many IEEE Canada sections maintain their own listings of upcoming events:

Canadian Atlantic

Kitchener-Waterloo

London

Montreal

Newfoundland and Labrador

New Brunswick

Northern Canada

Ottawa

Southern Alberta

Toronto

Vancouver

Winnipeg

Submission Information

I look forward to receiving news/article(s) from your sections and/or yours or other IEEE colleagues' achievements for the newsletter. Please forward any such correspondence by the 20th of the month to the Editor at
newsletter@ieee.ca