IEEE RASSE 2025 - IEEE Systems Councils Young Professionals Forum
The IEEE International Conference on Recent Advances in Systems Science and Engineering (IEEE RASSE 2025) marked a vibrant gathering in Singapore from the 4th of November to the 7th of November. Day 3 of the conference, held on the 7th of November, placed a strong spotlight on insights for IEEE Young Professionals through the IEEE Systems Council Young Professionals Forum. The forum was organized by the IEEE Systems Council Young Professionals Committee, which consists of seven members and is chaired by Chamika Sudusinghe. One of the committee’s key achievements over the past year has been the Early Careers Speaker Program, which successfully conducted six sessions featuring speakers from three IEEE Regions (4, 8 and 10).
The forum opened with the panel discussion titled “Empowering the Next Generation of IEEE Leaders”. This session brought together three distinguished IEEE leaders whose contributions span governance, standards development, mentoring, and community building. The panel featured Mary Ellen Randall - IEEE President Elect, Dalma Novak - IEEE Vice President of Technical Activities and Andy Chen- IEEE Systems Council President. The discussion was moderated by Subodha Charles, Chair of the MGA Student Activities Committee.
The conversation explored meaningful themes such as volunteer pathways, inclusive leadership, collaboration across societies and strategies that young leaders can adopt to align their work with IEEE’s priorities. Panelists reflected on their experiences engaging with volunteers worldwide, shared key takeaways from interactions with leaders across various societies, and offered practical guidance for those beginning their IEEE journey. Attendees gained valuable insight into how senior leaders found their voice within the organization and how early career members can cultivate impactful leadership paths of their own.
The second panel, titled “Innovate, Connect, Lead: The IEEE Young Professionals Edge”, focused on how Young Professionals can strengthen their role in global innovation ecosystems. The panelists included Bozenna Pasik - IEEE Systems Council Vice President for Member Activities, Bernard Lim - IEEE Region 10 Industry Relations Chair and Aishwarya Bandla - IEEE Region 10 Young Professionals Chair. The discussion was moderated by Amirah Rasmin, a committee member of the IEEE Systems Council Young Professionals Committee. The panel addressed the intersection of research and industry, approaches to building meaningful professional networks, and the evolving identity of Young Professionals within IEEE. Each panelist also shared advice for individuals seeking to create global impact through volunteerism and leadership.
Throughout both sessions, the audience gained perspectives from influential figures whose work continues to shape IEEE’s future. These discussions were especially valuable for understanding the priorities of senior IEEE leaders and for highlighting the importance of creating inclusive pathways for upcoming generations.
The forum concluded with expressions of appreciation to the speakers, followed by a group photograph to commemorate the occasion.
The RASSE 2025 Young Professionals Forum reaffirmed a core message. IEEE thrives when early-career members step forward, contribute ideas, and build strong communities that connect research, industry, and global leadership. The energy and insights shared in Singapore set a strong foundation for the next wave of innovators and volunteers who will carry IEEE forward.