Less than a year after helping to form a local student branch of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) under its Canadian arm, Saskatchewan Polytechnic student Kareem Marshall discovered that becoming president of a student organization can really take you places. In September, the international student flew to Toronto to present at the professional association’s annual student congress—a gathering of students from more than 30 higher education institutions with electrical and electronics engineering programs. While at the congress Marshall accepted an award on behalf of Sask Polytech for outstanding student branch.
Babith Varghese, program head for Electrical Engineering Technology and the one who recruited students to form the local group, wasn’t surprised. “Student organizations need strong leadership and it was clear from the start that we had that in Kareem,” says Varghese. “He has been an excellent role model for everyone working to get a Sask Polytech IEEE student branch up. His leadership and hard work played a big role in its quick success.”
Marshall previously trained as a mechanical engineer in his home country of Jamaica where his work was primarily in management. This made him a natural choice to head up the Sask Polytech student IEEE branch. An interest in electrical engineering coupled with the desire to pursue further education and training led him to electrical engineering technology as an extension to his previous career and skill set. “My additional education will give me an opportunity to work in Canada,” explains Marshall. “But I didn’t know when I started that I’d have so many new opportunities while completing my studies.”
Marshall is in his third semester of five at Sask Polytech and has already undertaken a cooperative education work term in addition to his course work. Being part of the student IEEE initiative has given him further opportunities for personal and professional growth.
Varghese was keen to initiate the formation of a local IEEE branch because he knows that being part of a professional association can open doors—especially for those early in their careers. “These types of organizations help participants to become fully engaged in their profession,” says the instructor. “They present networking opportunities and help professionals come together to collaborate and learn from each other.”
Marshall understood and jumped on board. “Babith was recruiting students to come together,” he explains, “and I knew it was a good opportunity. He’s really pushed my growth and the growth of the student branch. It’s been amazing.”
The IEEE is an international organization and Canada has its own region (Region 7) within it. IEEE Canada held its annual student congress over two days in September. Students came together to share presentations and learn from each other and from professionals working in their fields of study. “There were sessions on personal development, entrepreneurship and lots of chances to network and meet likeminded students,” says Marshall. “We talked about innovative ideas for challenges posed by climate change and other relevant topics. It was really invigorating.”
IEEE Canada student activities committee chair Saida Maaroufi says, “Saskatchewan Polytechnic has made significant efforts to improve the vitality of the branch with regards to the quality, quantity and diversity of its activities that aim at promoting the growth and development of its members and allow interaction of the branch with the local section.”
The George Armitage Outstanding Student Branch Award was presented at a dinner held the last night of the congress. Marshall was pleased to accept the award on behalf of the Sask Polytech students. “I was only notified about the award the day before I flew to Toronto,” he remembers, “so it was a wonderful surprise on top of an already exciting trip.”
Varghese was also notified at the same time and felt immense pride on behalf of the students he has been mentoring. “Trying new things is an important part of the educational journey,” he reflects. “I’m happy our students are being recognized for stepping outside their program to expand their professional knowledge.”
Upon Marshall’s return, the IEEE Moose Jaw student branch, joined by Dr. Kin-Choong Yow, IEEE South Saskatchewan section chair, gathered to celebrate the award at a lunch and learn session—a fitting activity for a student branch being recognized for its active participation and good organization. Says Yow, “The Sask Polytech Moose Jaw student branch has made an amazing effort to plan, organize and conduct numerous events and activities for the student community. These events created knowledge, networking and leadership opportunities for students that will benefit them significantly in their career.”
Dean of Sask Polytech School of Manufacturing, Mining and Engineering Technologies Brenda Suru acknowledges the effort the electrical engineering technology students have made to establish a student IEEE branch, saying: “Congratulations on your hard work! You have earned this recognition and should all be proud of this national award.”
The Electrical Engineering Technology program is nationally accredited by Technology Accreditation Canada (TAC). Diploma program graduates may choose to ladder to the Bachelor of Applied Management degree program at Sask Polytech, an engineering degree at Lakehead University in Ontario, mining engineering technology degree at Queen’s University in Ontario or technology degree at Memorial University in Newfoundland. To learn more about Sask Polytech’s Electrical Engineering Technology program, visit our website.