This article continues the series of ten interviews with the Officers of the IEEE ComSoc Member and Global Activities (MGA) Council for the term 2024–2025, which is published every month in the Global Communications Newsletter.
In this issue, I interview Venkatesha Prasad (VP), a Member of the ComSoc Board of Governors (BoG) as Director of Member Services.
In this issue, I interview Venkatesha Prasad, IEEE ComSoc Director, Member Services.
Dr. R. Venkatesha Prasad has been a faculty at the Networked Systems group of Delft University of Technology (TU Delft). He has (co-)authored 300+ publications in peer-reviewed international transactions/journals and conferences, including patents, standards, and book chapters. He has been successful in acquiring and executing several European and Dutch national projects in the areas of IoT, CPS, mmWave networks, Smart-energy systems, Personal Networks, and Cognitive Radios. He was selected as an IEEE ComSoc Distinguished Lecturer twice in 2016–2020. He is also leading many IEEE activities through positions in technical committees (vice-chair of the cognitive networking 2013–2016, 2020–2022, and Green Communications and Computing 2017-2019). He is an editor of many transactions and magazines and is a regular TPC member for many conferences. He is a senior member of IEEE and ACM. He is a Fellow of IETE.
Stefano: Hello VP! How did you land there? Would you like to begin by introducing the MSB to our readers? What are its main characteristics?
I have been working for ComSoc for the last 18 years. First in the standardization board for a long time and then also in many TCs. I was particularly part of TCCN and TCGCC, TCCC from the beginning. I also conducted many workshops at flagship conferences. I was waiting for the next level of responsibility. I must mention here that Prof. Ana Garcia Armada heard me, trusted my eagerness to serve, and when there was an opportunity she entrusted me with this responsibility.
Membership Services Board is an important wing under the VP Vice President, Member and Global Activities (MGA). This board has representatives from all four regions and also invited enthusiastic members. This board governs the policies that aim to help all the members of ComSoc.
MSB has multiple activities. It deals with the Distinguished Lecturers and Speakers programs. It also works with multiple committees like Young Professionals, WISE, etc. This board also supports chapters, Student activities, and Membership Development Grants.
The Distinguished Lecturer Program (DLP) and the Distinguished Speaker Program (DSP) are particularly appreciated by our members. What are the activities under these programs?
Distinguished Lecturer Program (DLP) and the Distinguished Speaker Program (DSP) are in particular very close to my heart. As a student, I have always appreciated tall researchers offering lectures in my college and I was inspired by their research work. I had been a DL sometime back and it gave lots of value to my profession and it is one of the most respected positions.
The DLT enables the DLs to experience different cultures and countries and meet with young minds as well as top-class researchers across the globe. ComSoc in particular has kept a good amount to support these activities.
From this year, we have also started to cover the hotel costs for the DLTs. This enables chapters to request the DLs without inhibitions. We have also started encouraging chapters to avail the DS whenever possible. The approval process has also been simplified.
What are other membership activities, which you consider most significant?
There is a new program called the Sister Chapter Programme, conceived by my predecessor Prof. Veiga and Prof. Mangoud is in charge under my board. Under this program, two chapters from different countries work together and enable cooperation among diverse groups.
The importance of this program can be seen also from the viewpoint that diversity is encouraged, appreciated, and respected. The program this year received a huge number of applications and now 10 teams are vying for the grand award at the end of the year.
What are the most difficult challenges, which you face?
The important aspect of our board is to devise mechanisms wherein we devise methods to offer value to our loyal members. The expectation is not convergent, the diverse chapters across the globe throw many diverse requirements! The MGA council and MSB need to be addressing and adapt to these requirements.
Further, we also need to consider the underdeveloped countries. We are close to 40000 members. Further, we have more chapters coming up — this year at least 25 new chapters have been established. We need to address their expectations, nurture them, and make sure that these chapters work for their members.
And what about Students? Do you organize regularly any specific activities for them?
We have a focused sub-committee on student activities. This committee with the help of YP and WISE committees. We have career fairs and also student activities during flagship conferences, etc. We have activities during the YP conference in Tokyo. We just concluded a town hall for students across the globe with VP-MGA and ComSoc President. We periodically arrange events where senior and fellow members share their experiences with students. Further, there are events for students and student competitions. Office bearers of the student chapters are also given training regarding the tools they need to use and their conduct.
To conclude, what are the most serious challenges that you are coping with?
According to me, the important issue is getting our student members to become professional members after their graduation. This will enable ComSoc to have a strong base in the industry which is an important sector for our members and definitely for our students.