Our photonics chapter has just been awarded by the IEEE Photonics Society, the 2015 Chapter of the Year. Congratulations to the chapter executives, chapter volunteers as well as to all section volunteers. This is a collective effort, supported by chapter member and non-member volunteers, affinity group volunteers. The recognition citation from the Photonics Society reads “The Ottawa Section Chapter achieved this high honor through your quality of programming, original workshops, humanitarian activities and community involvement as well as International Year of Light 2015 participation. The IEEE thanks your chapter for the dedication and service you’ve exhibited this year. You have substantially enhanced the IEEE Photonics Society’s mission of representing the laser, optoelectronics and photonics community.” It is recognition to all leaders and volunteers of our section. We all should be very proud of this award.

As we all know, United Nations has designated 2015 as the International Year of Light and Light Based Technologies (IYL), aimed at promoting technology, education, and improving quality of life. Our chapter has initiated and also participated in a number of activities in the name of IYL:

  • Our chapter has lobbied and convinced IEEE Canada (Region 7) for it to become an official supporter of the IYL in Canada
  • Our chapter has been working with IEEE Canada and Canadian Photonics Industry Consortium to create a national resource directory and magazine to publicize Canadian research and industry capabilities in photonics
  • Our chapter has participated in a public consultation to modernize the street lighting hosted by the National Capital Commission of Canada in the name of IYL and provided some expert opinions on energy efficiency and reduction of light pollution.
  • Our chapter continues to be a technical co-sponsor for Photonics North conference and tradeshow
  • Our chapter continues to organize regular technical seminars and symposiums and in the name of IYL
  • Our chapter has worked with IEEE SIGHT, IEEE HAHC, a charitable organization called LUTW and IEEE Canada humanitarian conference IHTC and jointly organized a workshop called: iLUV (ieee Lights up a Village) – focusing on technologies and solutions for efficient, cost-effective, renewable electricity power generation and lighting for developing countries and impoverished villages.
    • http://www.iluv.ieee.ca/
    • Panel speaker is a dedicated engineer and humanist, retired professor, Dave Irvine – Halliday
    • Our chapter has mobilized volunteers to use all three social media (FB, Tweeter, and LinkedIn) for the first time to promote the workshop. It went very well and we were proud of our work.
  • Our chapter is leading the effort to revive the grass-root community organization – OPC as Ottawa Photonics Community. We are working together to plan and to host speakers and networking events
  • Our chapter has gained the support of Ottawa Section to work with all affinity groups in the section to dedicate at least one event with some photonic component in it to celebrate IYL.
    • Ottawa Robotic Competition, an IEEE Ottawa Section sponsored school student robotic competition has dedicated one of their races (called Da Vinci which involved color drawing) to the IYL and Photonics. See https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLmGryBfPjCKUClvHQUan2ShH3DrMHrqaX
    • TISP is planning a training program that will be using some elements of photonics or light
    • Both WIE and YP has events planned to work with our chapter to commemorate the IYL
  • Our chapter was a proud supporter for the establishment of the only undergraduate program in Photonics in Canada at Carleton University in Ottawa in 2012. We are working with the photonics undergraduate program coordinator at the university to initiate a number of dedicated events and seminars to provide more value to students
    • We had arranged special introductory rate for these undergraduate students to attend the Photonics North conference to experience the professional communication and networking environment
    • Chapter will provide a welcome and introductory lecture on photonics and the IYL to freshmen in September
    • Chapter has also planned a seminar overviewing of industry and career opportunities in photonics to junior and senior students in the name of IYL and the IEEE Photonics Society this fall.
  • Our chapter continues to support Ottawa Photonic Student Paper Awards
  • Our chapter has been a mentor to the newly formed Ottawa U Photonics Student Chapter and helped student chapter to gain visibility and experience

 

Again, big thank to all volunteers, the chapter of the year award really is to all of us.

 

For volunteering in any of the IYL activities or other chapter activities including executive opportunities please contact our new chair, Prof Jianping Yao <jpyao@uottawa.ca>.