A report of IEEE Kerala Section GOLD Congress conducted in 2011.

1. IEEE Kerala Section GOLD Congress and Networking Dinner –A report
The first ever GOLD Congress in the history of IEEE Kerala section was held at Mar Baselios College of
Engineering and Technology, Trivandrum on 26th
February 2011. The event turned out to be a
resounding success and marked an ideal kick off for the GOLD activities in the Section this year. The
Congress was followed by a Networking Dinner in which ideas were exchanged and actions were for
planned for a vibrant GOLD in the coming months. Jaison Abey Sabu, one of the most prominent GOLD
members of Kerala Section was honored at the event for his exemplary contributions to IEEE. The event
was formally inaugurated by Amarnath Raja, Chair IEEE Global HTC committee by lighting the lamp, a
traditional custom of Kerala. The occasion was also graced with the presence of a star studded dignitary
bench which boasted of eminent personalities like Sasi PM, S Gopakumar, both Past Chairs of Kerala
Section, K B Senthilkumar, Section secretary, Jaison Abey Sabu, Section Student Activities Chair and
Visan Koshy Varghese, South Asia GOLD clustering program coordinator. The entire Congress was
centered on the theme Bridging gaps, Expanding networks... The GOLD Congress did full justice to this
focus and became an ideal venue to bridge the gap between the graduating students and the industry
professionals and helped everyone present to expand their professional network. The detailed session
by session coverage of the event is given below.
Inaugural ceremony
The clock chimed three in the evening and everything was in place for the inauguration of the most
awaited GOLD event of the year-the Kerala Section GOLD congress. The proceedings of the day started
with the recitation of the IEEE code of ethics by the dignitaries and delegates which was followed by a
welcome address by Namith Najeeb, Vice-Chair GOLD. In his presidential address, the principal of Mar
Baselios College highlighted the significance IEEE and GOLD plays in transforming the lives of students
into responsible young professionals. The spotlight then shifted to Amarnath Raja, Chair, IEEE Global
HTC committee as he lighted the ceremonial lamp marking the inauguration of the event. In his
inaugural address Raja stressed on the objectives of GOLD and how it assists the young professionals in

2. shaping their career. He also urged the young and vibrant GOLD community to get involved in
humanitarian activities undertaken by IEEE globally. He was all praise for the GOLD team that organized
this historical event. The inaugural address was followed by felicitations by other dignitaries of the day S
Gopakumar, Jaison Abey Sabu and Visan Koshy. All of them spoke briefly about GOLD and wished the
GOLD activities of the Section all success. Rayees Amar Nishad, GOLD Chair of the Section addressed the
gathering soon after. He announced the GOLD activities planned for the year and expressed his intent to
recruit more vibrant professionals into GOLD in the coming months. The inaugural ceremony concluded
with the vote of thanks delivered by Sanju Mathew of Mar Baselios College of Engineering.
IEEE awareness session
A comprehensive awareness session on IEEE and its membership benefits was handled by S Gopkumar,
a veteran of IEEE Kerala Section. His session was tailor made specifically for the young non IEEE
professionals who were invited from the industry. He made them aware of the exclusive benefits one
gets from joining IEEE and the significant transformation it makes to their professional and personal
growth. He highlighted the various opportunities and resources IEEE GOLD offers to young professionals
who are embarking on their professional careers. The session was highly informative and the IEEE
audience present gained a lot of in depth and knowledge about the various activities and opportunities
of the organization they are part of. He also shared enthralling experiences he had with IEEE throughout
the last 26 years of his life in which he donned several responsibilities including Section Chair and
Student Activities Chair. The session came to an end on an inspiring note and served its intended
purpose.

3. GOLD Awareness Session
Visan Kosy Varghese, South Asian GOLD clustering program coordinator and a well known volunteer in
R10 GOLD was flown into Kerala for handling this all important session. It was an energy packed session
which covered all the important aspects about GOLD starting from its objectives, its vision and mission
and the opportunities it offers to the young professionals. The delegates warmed up to the session and
showed keen interest in knowing more about GOLD ,the activities it covers and the resources they can
explore for bettering their careers. Visan also talked briefly about the GOLD activities at the R10 and HQ
level. He urged the GOLD members of Kerala to get involved in GOLD activities globally and mentioned
about the important GOLD activities coming up such as the R10 GOLD meet and the Global GOLD
Summit.

4. Session on Career Development
One of the major highlights of the event was a session on Career Development by Amarnath Raja,
esteemed chief guest for the occasion. It was a mind blowing session that covered a wide range of topics
ranging from how to choose the right career up to how to build a smart career in today’s competitive
world. Raja shared interesting and challenging episodes from his professional life to enlighten the
delegates on the challenges and risks associated with building a successful career. He highlighted the
importance passion plays in building up one’s career. He advised the young professionals to be
passionate about their career which he stressed is the key tool that will take them to exponential
heights. He urged the young professionals to identify the right career that suits their interests and
aspirations. This session by Amarnath Raja, one of the most regarded IEEE members around the globe
turned out to be a life time treat for all the delegates present who described the session as highly
informative and motivating.
Panel Discussion – IEEE GOLD and Career growth
The star attraction of the IEEE Kerala Section GOLD congress- A panel discussion on IEEE GOLD and
Career growth was next on the agenda. The panel discussion was moderated by Jaison Abey Sabu,
Student Activities Chair and a highly regarded GOLD member of Kerala Section. The three member
expert panel for the discussion comprised of eminent personalities of Kerala namely Amarnath Raja,
CEO, Inapp Technologies, Sasi P M Additional Director CDAC (Centre for Development of Advanced
computing) and S Gopakumar Group Director, VSSC (Vikram Sarabhai Space centre).The following were
the key points that came up during the discussion:
 The expectations of organizations and companies from young professionals
 Difference between Government and Private sector careers.
 Role of IEEE in supporting professional and personal growth

5.  Role of IEEE GOLD in assisting young professionals in building a strong career
 Enhancing GOLD membership value
The discussions were highly effective and made inroads of wisdom and knowledge into the minds of
young professionals who are on the verge of embarking on their professional career. The dividends and
outcomes derived from the discussion exceeded expectations by all standards and made the
participants realize the value of IEEE membership in their professional life. It also assisted Kerala Section
GOLD in coming up an action plan for the coming year based on the needs and expectations of the GOLD
members in the section.
Kerala Section GOLD honors Jaison Abey Sabu for his contributions to IEEE
IEEE Kerala Section GOLD considers it our responsibility and honor to recognize the selfless and
exemplary volunteerism of our members. Jaison Abey Sabu, one of the most regarded and reputed
GOLD member of Kerala Section was honored by Kerala Section GOLD at the event for his exemplary
contributions to IEEE for the last 7 years. The honorary memento was presented to Jaison by eminent
IEEE personalities of the Section Sasi PM and S Gopakumar. Jaison has emerged as a great IEEE leader
within the IEEE community and has gained immense recognition at the Section and R10 level for his

6. exemplary contributions and commitment towards IEEE. Congratulations Jaison for this achievement.
Kerala GOLD salutes you for exemplary contributions and leadership in IEEE.
Photo Session and Networking Dinner
Everything good has to end at sometime or other. The first ever GOLD congress in the history of Kerala
Section soon came to a befitting end with a Photo session followed by a scrumptious networking dinner.
Cards were exchanged, thoughts were shared, upcoming GOLD events were discussed and before
anyone realized it was curtains!