Category Archives: News

Formation of the IEEE Thompson Okanagan Section Affinity Groups and Chapters Results:

Congratulations!

Formation of the IEEE Thompson Okanagan Section Affinity Groups and Chapters Results:

  1. We received the official approval of the petition to form the IEEE Thompson Okanagan Section Life Member Affinity Group. The approval date is 30 March 2025, and the identification code is LM70043.
  2. We received the official approval of the petition to form the IEEE Thompson Okanagan Section Systems Council Chapter. The approval date is 03 April 2025, and the identification code is CH07206.
  3. The petition to form the IEEE Thompson Okanagan Section Microwave Theory and Technology Society Chapter has been officially approved. The approval date is 04 April 2025, and the identification code is CH07205.

For further information, please get in touch with us:
Youry Khmelevsky (email: tok-section [at] ieee.org)
Subscribe to the news at okanagan@listserv.ieee.org

IEEE Thompson Okanagan Section Elevation Celebration & Annual General Meeting

Join Us for the IEEE Thompson Okanagan Section Elevation Celebration & AGM

We are pleased to invite you to the Okanagan Subsection Elevation Celebration and the First Thompson Okanagan Section Annual General Meeting. This event marks an important milestone for our IEEE community, and we look forward to celebrating with you.

Date: Saturday, March 22, 2025
Time: 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Location: A146 – A Building (with S Building), Okanagan College

Register here: https://events.vtools.ieee.org/m/467550.

We are delighted to present the Digital Research Alliance of Canada: Digital Resource Infrastructure and Cybersecurity Workshop before the celebration, starting at 11 AM.
DRI Workshop Agenda:
11:00 am – 11:10 am | Opening Remarks (IEEE Section Chair, Dr. Youry Khmelevsky, and Okanagan Student Branch Chair Kristina Cormier)
11:10 am – 11:50 am | Introduction to DRI
11:50 am – 12:05 pm | Coffee Break
12:05 pm – 12:20 pm | Research Project Presentation (Kristina Cormier)
12:20 pm – 12:50 pm | Demonstration of DRI Services
12:50 pm – 1:00 pm | Discussion and Final Thoughts

Date: Saturday, March 22, 2025
Time: 1:00 PM – 5:00 PM
Location: S104 – S Building Theatre, Okanagan College

Section Celebration Agenda:
1:00 pm – 1:45 pm – Welcome Lunch, Celebration Opening (Section Chair, Dr. Youry Khmelevsky, and TOK Student Branches, Matthew Wilder, IEEE Area West Chair opening address)
1:45 pm – 2:15 pm – Intro & IEEE President Dr. Tom Murad Welcome
2:15 pm – 2:45 pm – Benefits of IEEE: Usman Munawar & Kristina Cormier
2:45 pm – 3:15 pm – Coffee & Social
3:15 pm – 4:00 pm – AGM
4:00 pm – 4:45 pm – Round Table, Celebration Closing

5:00 pm – 9:00 pm — 2025 Okanagan Innovation and Technology Expo at KF Aerospace Centre for Excellence

This is an excellent opportunity to connect with IEEE members, learn more about IEEE benefits, and participate in discussions about the section’s future.

Bios:

Dr. Tom Murad, The IEEE Canada President & Director IEEE – R7.

A member of the Engineering Order of Honour – Professional Engineers Ontario “PEO”, is a respected Technology leader, Innovator, thinker, Board Member, award-winning Educator, and distinguished speaker & advocate of innovation and creativity, specifically in the Areas of:

Engineering & Technology, Mechatronics, Digitalization, Smart Infrastructure, Industry – 4.0 & 5.0, Leadership, and technical education & Talents/skills development.

He Joined Siemens in Canada (2010 – 2023). His latest role was the “Country Lead (V.P.) of Engineering, Technical Excellence & Academics”, as well as being the founder & Director of the Awards winning “Siemens Canada Engineering and Technology Academy (SCETA)”, and the Siemens Mechatronics Systems Certification Program (2014 – 2020).

Prior to that, he held different Executive Management & C – Level roles with an extensive career in Professional Engineering, Innovative Technical Operations and including Academia and R&D work.

He is now Adjunct Professor at the College of Engineering & Physical Sciences – University of Guelph, “CTO” of Innoventus Engineering Inc., and a member of various Boards of Directors in Industry and Academia.

Dr. Murad holds a Bachelor of Engineering (Electrical & Electronics) and a Doctorate (Ph.D.) in Power Electronics and Industrial Controls from Loughborough University of Technology in the UK, with a Leadership Program Certificate from Schulich Business School, York University in Ontario, Canada.

Dr. Murad is:
IEEE Canada – President & Chair of the Board of Directors.
IEEE – Region 7 (CANADA) Director / Delegate (Global).
Board of Director – Ontario’s Government’s Post Secondary Education Quality Board “PEQAB”.
Board (Council) member – Engineering Institutes of Canada “EIC”.
Fellow of Engineers Canada “F.E.C”.
Fellow of Engineering Institutes of Canada “EIC”.
Awardee of IEEE Canada’s 2019 J.M. Ham Outstanding Engineering Educator Award.
Member of the PEO Licensing “Engineering Experience Review”- ERC Committee (since 2003).
Advisory Board Member – School of Mechatronic Systems Engineering at Simon Fraser University “SFU”.
Licensed Professional Engineer “P.Eng.” in Ontario (PEO & OSPE); Alberta (APEGA) & N.W.T. (NAPEG).
Chair – IEEE Toronto Section (2016-2017).
Ex-Vice Chair & Member of Board of Directors – Ontario Soc. Of Professional Engineers “OSPE”.
Ex-Member of Board of Directors – Canadian – German Centre for Innovation and Research.
Ex-Member – Board of Directors – Green Centre Canada.

Matthew Wilder’s Abstract:
Greetings from the Vancouver Section & welcome to the West Area of IEEE Canada
Presentation of Vancouver Section scholarship award

Matthew Wilder’s Bio:
Matthew Wilder is a Senior Engineer with TELUS Communications, a leading ISP and technology company headquartered in Vancouver, Canada. At TELUS, Matthew is responsible for IP Address Management and IPv6 strategy. Matthew serves the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) as the West Area Chair of IEEE Canada. He also serves the Vancouver Section as Chair of the Conference Committee and has previously served as Chair of the Vancouver Section in 2022. Matthew also volunteers with the American Registry for Internet Numbers (ARIN) as the Advisory Council’s Vice Chair. He has written articles for IEEE Canadian Review and blogs for ARIN, ISOC, and other industry publications. Matthew holds a Bachelor of Applied Sciences from the University of British Columbia and a Master of Business Administration from the University of Victoria.

Usman Munawar’s Bio:

Mr. Usman Munawar is an accomplished IEEE Senior Member & HKN with over 12 years of experience bridging industry and academia. A seasoned electrical engineer and researcher, he has made significant contributions to the field, authoring 17 publications in esteemed journals, transactions, and conferences. His extensive expertise includes overseeing 125+ engineering design projects, addressing 25+ data science challenges, integrating 50+ industrial systems, and coding over 300 algorithms—from small-scale solutions to large, complex systems.

Mr. Munawar earned his M.A.Sc. in Electronic Systems Engineering from the University of Regina, Canada, where he was named to the Dean’s Honor List. He was also awarded the prestigious IEEE PES Outstanding Student Scholarship (2020). His academic journey includes completing Stanford University’s Technology Entrepreneurship program (2012), participating in Oxford and Cambridge’s Smart Village program (2017), and visiting the MIT Media Lab as an IEEE Delegate (2022).

Currently, Mr. Munawar serves as Project Manager at Powertech Labs Inc. (a subsidiary of BC Hydro), where he leads critical initiatives in Distributed Energy Resources (DERs) and founded the Future Energy Integration Lab. His expertise spans Smart Grid technologies, energy disaggregation, predictive maintenance, optimization, machine learning, deep learning, data mining, forecasting, and smart infrastructure solutions, with applications in Smart Cities and Smart Villages.

Previously, he worked as a Design and Development Engineer at Greenwave Innovations Inc. (2021–2023), where his contributions led to three international/national product awards. In 2017, he launched a successful renewable energy startup, completing 50 projects in just six months. Prior to 2019, he held academic roles, securing funding from major agencies such as USAID, UNESCO, and GIZ for impactful projects, including the deployment of solar-powered lighting in 133 sports facilities.

Kristina Cormier’s Bio:

Kristina Cormier is a fourth-year Computer Science student at Okanagan College. She has always been curious about science and technology. Recently, she has discovered a passion for data analysis and machine learning algorithms. Kristina is the Chair of the Okanagan College IEEE Student Branch. She coordinates with her team to help organize events and volunteering. Kristina truly enjoys mentoring, meeting new people and discovering new opportunities.

For further information, please get in touch with
Youry Khmelevsky (email: tok-section [at] ieee.org) and
subscribe to the news at okanagan@listserv.ieee.org

Join Us for the Cybersecurity & Hardware Workshops

 

IEEE Thompson Okanagan Section invites you to a full day of learning and hands-on experience at the Cybersecurity Workshop and Hardware Workshop on March 23, 2025. This event brings together industry experts, researchers, and students to explore key topics in cybersecurity and hardware.

Date: Sunday, March 23, 2025 @ 11 am – 4:30 pm
Location: Okanagan College, Room E309

  • W1. Cybersecurity Workshop, Ajitesh Parihar (11:00 AM – 1:30 PM)
    • Register here for W1: https://events.vtools.ieee.org/m/473414
    • 11:00 am – 11:15 am | Workshop Opening
      11:15 am – 12:00 pm | DRI Cybersecurity
      12:00 pm – 12:30 pm | Student Presentation
      12:30 pm – 1:00 pm   | Lunch
      1:00 pm – 1:30 pm     | Discussions
  • W2. Hardware Workshop, Prof. Matt Fritter (1:30 PM – 4:30 PM)
    • Presented by Okanagan College Professor Matt Fritter, this workshop will provide hands-on experience working with microcontrollers.

This is an excellent opportunity to expand your knowledge, engage with experts, and gain practical skills.

We look forward to seeing you there.

For further information, please get in touch with Youry Khmelevsky (email: tok-section [at] ieee.org) and subscribe to the news at okanagan@listserv.ieee.org
Refreshments and Pizza will be provided

2025 Okanagan Innovation and Technology Expo – March 22

Join us for the Okanagan Technology Expo 2025, an exciting event hosted by the IEEE UBCO Student Branch where innovators, industry leaders, and students come together to showcase cutting-edge technology and groundbreaking ideas. This year’s theme, “The Timeline of Innovation,” highlights the journey of technological advancements, celebrating the progress and perseverance behind every great invention. https://okgntechexpo.carrd.co/

Agenda:
5:00 PM – 5:30 PM Opening Ceremony Welcome remarks and an introduction to the event theme: “Timeline of Innovation.”
5:30 PM – 6:00 PM Keynote Speaker 1 A thought leader shares insights on the journey of innovation and the future of technology.
6:00 PM – 6:30 PM Mingle & Booth Tour Explore student and industry booths showcasing cutting-edge projects and developments.
6:30 PM – 7:00 PM Speaker Series Presentations by a leading professor and a standout student innovator.
7:00 PM – 8:00 PM Booth Competition & Catering Experience hands-on demonstrations and interactive exhibits, and enjoy catered refreshments.
8:00 PM – 8:30 PM Competition Winners Announcement Celebrate the best booths as the winners are revealed, with prizes awarded to the top three teams.
8:30 PM – 9:00 PM Keynote Speaker 2 A renowned industry professional closes the evening with an inspiring talk.
9:00 PM – Onward Networking & Wrap-Up Continue conversations, forge connections, and wrap up the event.

📅 Date: 22nd March, 2025
📍 Venue: KF Aerospace Centre for Excellence

Explore a dynamic lineup of speakers, including industry pioneers and student innovators, as they share insights on the past, present, and future of technology. Engage in hands-on demonstrations, connect with professionals from top tech and engineering firms, and witness the creativity of student-led projects in our Booth Competition, where the most innovative displays will compete for prizes.

Whether you’re an entrepreneur, a student passionate about STEM, or simply curious about the next big thing in technology, this is your chance to experience innovation in action. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to learn, network, and be inspired!

🎟️ Tickets available now! Secure your spot today. Buy tickets

Student team achievements at the IEEExtreme Programming Competition 2024

Congratulations to the student teams from the Thompson-Okanagan Section for their remarkable achievements in the IEEExtreme 2024 Programming Competition. IEEExtreme is a global 24-hour challenge in which student teams solve a series of complex programming problems under time pressure. Organized by the IEEE, this competition fosters innovation, collaboration, and technical excellence among the next generation of computing professionals.

Okanagan College demonstrated outstanding performance, ranking #18 in Canada out of 50 participating teams and #2235 out of 8793 globally. The team OCExceptionHandlers secured the #1 rank within the institution, showcasing exemplary programming skills (the Original post is here).

Castanet: “Okanagan College students tackle 24 problems in 24 hours” https://www.castanet.net/news/Kelowna/521987/Okanagan-College-students-tackle-24-problems-in-24-hours

Thompson Rivers University’s team also achieved a commendable result, placing #40 in Canada and 4656 globally, reflecting the institution’s growing strength in competitive programming.

These achievements highlight the dedication and technical expertise of students from both institutions, who have contributed to advancing digital research and computational science.

Congratulations to all participants for representing their institutions on the global stage!

IEEE Okanagan Section Year End Winter Social Event

IEEE Okanagan Section Year End Winter Social Event (Thurs Dec 19 from 4 p.m. – 7 p.m.)

Time & Date: 4 p.m. – 7 p.m., Thursday, December 19th, 2024
Location: Room HS 101 and online in Zoom at Okanagan College (in-person and online)
Registration (is open now): https://events.vtools.ieee.org/m/454022 (IEEE Okanagan Section) and https://events.vtools.ieee.org/m/453118 (IEEE OK SB)

Celebrate the end of the year with the IEEE Okanagan Section and IEEE Okanagan College Student Branch! Enjoy good company, festive drinks, and delicious food as we reflect on the past year.
Our invited speaker, Martin Mallinson, has over 100 patents and founded Silicon Intervention. They work with analog neural networks and construct analog signal processors using advanced techniques.
We’ll also share details about our upcoming Section Elevation Celebration in early 2025—don’t miss it!

Agenda

4:00 pm – 4:15 pm Intro (Youry Khmelevsky)

4:15 pm – 4:30 pm  IEEE Vancouver (Jacqueline Nichols & Matthew Wilder)

4:30 pm – 4:45 pm OK SB (Kristina Cormier & Ajitesh Parihar)

We take a look back at this year to cover all the fun activities that students participated in and share our plans for upcoming events and activities.

4:45 pm – 5:00 pm Women in Tech (Kristina Cormier / Dolcy Sareen / Keona Gagnier / Thais Damasceno)

Celebrating women in tech and engineering. Highlighting the IEEE Affinity groups and activities. We aim to inspire and empower the next generation of women in STEM through insights and strategies for success.

5:00 pm – 5: 15 pm Open Science Principle: EDIA Research (Ajitesh Parihar)

Discussion about the importance of using open science principles for effective research along with the activities planned for the Digital Research Alliance of Canada’s DRI EDIA Champions Program.

5:15 pm – 5:30 pm Pizza & Social

5:30 pm –  6:30 pm Martin Mallinson

Martin Mallinson is the founder of Silicon Intervention. They are working with analog neural networks and constructing Analog Signal Processors using advanced techniques.

6:30 pm – 7:00 pm Round table

Bios:

Martin Mallinson: With a lifetime of experience in electrical engineering, designing and developing devices worldwide, Martin would like to share his thoughts and experiences. These are very relevant to the new IEEE in the valley. The past 30 years of his work have taken place in companies in Okanagan. How can that be achieved in our beautiful valley while remaining connected to customers worldwide? We’ll hear how Martin manages to do that, the compromises, and the opportunities.

Kristina Cormier is a third-year Computer Science student at Okanagan College. She has recently discovered a passion for machine learning algorithms. Kristina is the Chair of the Okanagan College IEEE Student Branch. She assists with organizing events and volunteering. Kristina truly enjoys being a mentor and helping others.

Ajitesh Parihar is a four-year Computer Science student and a Research Assistant at Okanagan College. He is a tech enthusiast who enjoys learning about innovations and technologies and is passionate about software engineering, cyber security, and algorithms. Ajitesh is the Vice Chair of the IEEE Student Branch and enjoys meeting and working with talented individuals.

Dolcy Sareen is a third-year Computer Science student at Okanagan College and the Okanagan College IEEE Student Branch webmaster. She is passionate about learning new technologies and strongly focuses on data. She enjoys connecting with people and continuously learning from new experiences.

Keona Gagnier is a third-year Computer Science student at Okanagan College.

Thais Damasceno is the past chair of the Okanagan College IEEE Student Branch.

 

Photos from the event:

For further information, please get in touch with Youry Khmelevsky (email: Youry at IEEE.org) and subscribe to the news at okanagan@listserv.ieee.org
Refreshments and pizza will be provided

Okanagan College IEEE Student Branch and Okanagan Subsection are hosting IEEEXtreme 18.0

 

Time & Date: 5 p.m. – 5 p.m. (24 hours), October 25 th, 2024
Location: Room E301, E302, E303 and E108 (lunch room), Computer Science Department, Okanagan College (in-person)

Okanagan College IEEE Student Branch and Okanagan Subsection are hosting IEEEXtreme 18.0

IEEEXtreme is a global challenge in which teams of IEEE Student members – advised and proctored by an IEEE member and supported by an IEEE Student Branch – compete in 24 hours against each other to solve a set of programming problems https://ieeextreme.org/

In previous years, over 6,000 teams, just under 15,000 participants, and 65 Countries competed. This includes over 600 Student Branches, over 700 Ambassadors, and approximately 2,500 volunteers.

Many kind sponsors and volunteers are contributing to help ensure the success of this event. Registration is open until Oct 12, 2024.

Castanet: “Okanagan College students tackle 24 problems in 24 hours” https://www.castanet.net/news/Kelowna/521987/Okanagan-College-students-tackle-24-problems-in-24-hours

Photos from the Event:

IEEE Day at Okanagan Subsection

Time & Date: 5 – 7:30 p.m., October 9 th, 2024
Location: Room E202 and online in Zoom, Computer Science Department, Okanagan College (in-person and online)
Registration (is open now): https://events.vtools.ieee.org/m/438597

Abstract: IEEE Day is an annual event celebrating the first time in history when engineers worldwide gathered to share their technical ideas in 1884. One of IEEE Day’s objectives is to show how IEEE members in local communities collaborate on ideas that leverage technology for a better tomorrow. (https://ieeeday.org/)

Join us on October 9th at 5 PM for a gathering where the IEEE Okanagan Subsection and student branches from UBCO and OC will discuss the evolution of engineering, computer science, and others.

Agenda:

5 pm – 5:40 pm (OC)

            Kristina – A Retrospective View of STEM Milestones & Achievements

            Ajitesh – Open Science and DRA.  Open Science and DRA

5:40 – 6:20 pm (UBCO)

            Charlotte – A Canadian Engineer Who Made a Positive Impact on Society

            Fernanda – Women in Tech

6:20 pm – 6:30 pm Pizza break

6:30 pm – 7:00 pm (OC)

Dolcy & Brian – Evolution of Data & Networks

Alex – World Wide Opportunities

Bios:

Kristina Cormier is a fourth-year Computer Science student at Okanagan College. She has always been curious about science and technology. Recently, she has discovered a passion for data analysis and machine learning algorithms. Kristina is the Chair of the Okanagan College IEEE Student Branch. She coordinates with her team to help organize events and volunteering. Kristina truly enjoys mentoring, meeting new people and discovering new opportunities.

Ajitesh Parihar is a fourth-year Computer Science student and a Research Assistant at Okanagan College. He is a tech enthusiast who enjoys learning about innovations and technologies and is passionate about software engineering, cyber security, and algorithms. Ajitesh is the Vice Chair of the Okanagan College IEEE Student Branch and enjoys meeting and working with talented individuals.

Fernanda Alves has been working at UBCO for nearly three years. She received her Bachelor of Computer Information Systems at Okanagan College and has a degree. Fernanda is a passionate mentor and advocate for women in technology who enjoys connecting with other passionate individuals and sharing her skills and experiences to benefit others.

Dolcy Sareen is a third-year Computer Science student at Okanagan College and the Okanagan College IEEE Student Branch webmaster. She is passionate about learning new technologies and strongly focuses on data. She enjoys connecting with people and continuously learning from new experiences.

Alex Ross is a fourth-year Computer Science student at Okanagan College and the Okanagan College IEEE Student Branch secretary.

During the meeting:

Call for Capstone Projects at Computer Science Department, Okanagan College.

The Computer Science department at Okanagan College is looking for project proposals for its capstone CIS and BCIS project courses in 2024-2025

In the capstone courses, second-year students in teams of 3 to 5 and fourth-year students in teams of 7 to 13 work on projects proposed by industry or other organizations. Each team is supervised by a faculty member acting as the technical director and assisting or pointing the students to appropriate technical expertise; you’ll act as the client. The projects can be general in software development or specialized in software engineering.

The Computer Science department invites you to submit a project for our students to prepare them for industry better.

There are numerous benefits to your organization:

  • Exploration of research/development opportunities utilizing the expertise of OC faculty, staff and students.
  • Access to world-class research facilities and expert technical personnel at OC.
  • Engagement with the next class of new graduates to facilitate recruitment and networking.
  • Exploration of products or services outside your organization’s current business plan.
  • Introduction of your organization to the OC academic community.

Participation: How would you participate? You would submit your project requirements to capstones [at] Okanagan [dot] BC [dot] ca, and our students and faculty would work with you to develop potential solutions. You will have ample opportunity to be actively engaged in developing solutions.

The following outlines the curricular parameters of this final-year project courses (second and fourth years of study), what we have committed to the course, possibilities of participation with you, and suggestions for development going forward. Instructions and a fillable PDF form, COSC_OC_CapstonePartnerProposalForm.docx (please save the DOCX file to your computer before filling the form out), as well as a sample proposal, are available to help you submit your project (please contact by email for a sample).

Curricular Parameters: These courses will form a significant portion of the final-year diploma and degree requirements, representing six credits of coursework spread over two academic terms (usually September to April) in courses COSC 236/224, COSC 470/471 and COSC 436/437/419. Working in teams of 3 to 5 in COSC 236/224 and 7 to 15 in COSC 470/471, students will be expected to commit around 10 hours per week to complete this component, resulting in approximately 260 hours per student.

Our Commitment to Resources: The Computer Science department will commit instructional resources to support these students as they become highly competent and enthusiastic professionals. We will provide each student with support and instruction in design, project management, communication, solution quality assessment, life cycle analysis, and more.

Suggestions for Further Development: We believe that offering our students a solid and progressive integrative design experience in their final year of study can best be met in partnership with the community, whether for profit or not. The strength of this program will come from community involvement inside and outside Okanagan College, in which we hope to include you and your organization.

We understand that some issues still need to be addressed. One is that of Intellectual Property, and we are working to introduce easy-to-use templates for all parties to use.

Another is that of resources. The Computer Science department will commit a significant amount of financial resources. Still, to make this a successful partnership and a sustainable model, we hope you and your organization will commit similarly, if feasible. How this might take shape is currently open for discussion, and we welcome your thoughts.

We are very excited about offering our students this learning opportunity to work in partnership with individuals and organizations that have a significant stake in the current and future successes of software development and engineering. With your support and active contribution, we strongly believe this will be a successful undertaking that will benefit all parties involved.

We are very interested in hearing from you regarding this proposal and invitation. We hope that you will be interested in receiving further information about our initiative and that you will consider becoming an active participant in the program. We welcome any suggestions or input you might have, which can all be submitted to Capstones [at] Okanagan [dot] BC [dot] ca. We look forward to hearing from you.