The IEEE Young Professionals Philippines Affinity Group, in partnership with IEEE Technological University of the Philippines Student Branch and IEEE Republic of Philippines Section, held its 3rd Annual Student Transition and Elevation Partnership (STEP) on September 7, 2021, via Zoom with the theme “From Students to Young Professionals: Contributors to Society”. The event included participants from IEEE members of different grades and non-IEEE members who were interested in being part of the IEEE community.
The activity gathered IEEE student members who are in their last year in college and graduate student members who will be transitioning to young professionals soon. A specific program was designed for this event to encourage the target participants to continue their membership in IEEE. To promote and expand the IEEE growing community, the registration was also extended to interested students and young professionals who desire to become part of the largest technical professional organization globally.
The moderator and main organizer, Mr. Jon David Frilles officially opened the event followed by an invocation. Then, to lighten up the occasion and as part of the networking session, Mr. Kurt Cuadra (Vice-Chair of IEEE YP Philippines) conducted an icebreaker with an interactive game for the participants and gave away prizes. After which, Prof. Christian Enoval (Chair of IEEE YP Philippines) delivered welcoming remarks where he explained the objective of the event and the history of how the annual STEP started. He also highlighted the recent accomplishments of the organizational unit and its upcoming activities. Dr. Rhandley Cajote, Chair of IEEE Republic of Philippines Section, later presented the current status of the section.
The event was also graced by Dr. Jennifer Dela Cruz, current Chair of IEEE R10 Student Activities Committee, who shared the recent initiatives of SAC, which are beneficial to the student members. To inspire other student members to become more engaged and active with different IEEE activities, Mr. Lawrence Rodriguez, the outgoing Chair of IEEE Technological University of the Philippines Student Branch, personally shared the perks he gets in volunteering and how IEEE has helped him in every way. The latter part of the event was allotted to a special lecture by the resource speaker, Dr. Ronnie Concepcion II, who shared about his recently published research entitled “Lactuca sativa leaf extract concentration optimization using evolutionary strategy as photosensitizer for TiO2-filmed Grӓtzel cell”
After all the talks, there was a panel discussion to cater to the questions from the audience. Finally, the event concluded with the main organizer thanking the speakers, co-organizers, and the audience for making the event a success.
Article contributed by Engr. Christian Enoval, Chair, IEEE YP Philippines.