“Breaking Barriers and Building Bridges: Insights from the IEEE WIE UOP Annual General Meeting”
About IEEE WIE SB AG of UoP
The IEEE Women in Engineering (WIE) Affinity Group Chapter of the University of Peradeniya (UoP) is a student-run organisation that operates under the global IEEE WIE organisation. It is focused on promoting women's participation and advancement in engineering, providing a supportive community for undergraduates, and organising activities that promote their professional and personal growth. This organisation aims to inspire, support, and empower women in the engineering field.
AGM & its importance
The Annual General Meeting (AGM) of a society is an essential event that enables members to gather, discuss, and make decisions on the future of the organisation. It brings together members from different backgrounds and experiences to discuss the progress of society and its future direction. Moreover, the AGM is an opportunity for members to voice their opinions, share their ideas, and contribute to the decision-making process of the organisation. One such organisation that holds a crucial AGM is the IEEE Women in Engineering (WIE) Affinity Group Chapter of the University of Peradeniya.
One of the key objectives of the IEEE WIE AGM is to elect new members to the committee and discuss the goals and objectives of the organisation. The recruitment process is conducted in accordance with IEEE WIE's bylaws, which outline the nomination procedures.
Another significant aspect of the IEEE WIE AGM is the opportunity for members to engage with each other and build their networks. The AGM typically attracts a diverse group of attendees from different batches in the Faculty of Engineering. This provides a unique platform for members to connect with their peers, share best practices, and learn from each other's experiences. Moreover, members can gain a deeper understanding of the IEEE organisation, especially of IEEE Women in Engineering.
The speciality of the occasion
The AGM of the IEEE WIE Affinity Group Chapter of the University of Peradeniya for the term 2023/24 was held on the 17th of January, 2023. It was lead-off at 12.30 p.m. at the DEEE Seminar Room of the Faculty of Engineering, University of Peradeniya, with the welcome speech of Ms Sachini Senevirathne, the President of IEEE WIE UoP for the term 2022/23. Following that, the meeting minutes of the last AGM were presented by Ms Aveesha Gunasekara, the secretary of IEEE WIE UOP for the term 2022/23.
Moving further, the budget report for the past year was presented by the junior treasurer, Ms Sasini Jayawardana. The headway in the AGM is electing a new president and secretary for the organisation. Accordingly, the former president and secretary resigned from their posts, and Ms Bhashini Jayathunga was appointed as the new president. Following that, Ms Ashini Senara was appointed as the secretary. Subsequently, the newly appointed president addressed the gathering, and the other committee members were designated.
Insights of the Senior Advisor
The IEEE WIE was honoured to have Prof. Maheshi B. Dissanayake, a professor at the Faculty of Engineering, University of Peradeniya, guiding IEEE WIE as its Senior Advisor. She was the founder, first and interim Chairperson of IEEE WIE Sri Lanka, Chairwoman of the IEEE Sri Lanka Section for 2021/22, and adviser of IEEE WIE SB AG of UOP since 2011.
Prof. Maheshi B. Dissanayake's address focused on the skills a young undergraduate should acquire before entering the community as an engineer, as well as the new windows of opportunity with WIE to develop their proficiency and uncover their potential. She also specifically addressed the need for work-life balance and how to keep it properly. Over and beyond that, she urged the attendees to develop confidence and conquer the hurdles they experience as ladies in the profession.
The successful adjourning of the meeting
In conclusion, the AGM of the IEEE WIE Affinity Group Chapter of the University of Peradeniya for the term 2023/24 has been a momentous event that promoted the involvement and engagement of its members, highlighting the past achievements of the society.
The event was completed successfully, motivating the young female undergraduates to join WIE and discover their capabilities. Furthermore, the IEEE WIE Student Branch Affinity Group of UOP is not only for encouraging the social and professional skills of female undergraduates and inspiring them for leadership roles but also to put forth every effort of them for the betterment of humanity. To do so, we hope to bring out several community service projects and an Electrical safety program for non-electrical students in collaboration with “Kelani cables” and a Communication Service Provider (CSP) lecture series as a technological society in the near future.
The social impact of the organisation is significant, and by empowering women in engineering, society is promoting gender equality and contributing to the development of new technologies and services that can benefit the organisation as a whole.
Prannavi Sivaneson Third year, Department of Electrical & Electronic Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, University of Peradeniya.
