“Great Achievement is usually born of great sacrifice”, stated the exceptional American author, Napoleon Hill. Great sacrifice comes with the will to strive forward and self-confidence. Such people have created history in this world by believing in their dreams to be the change they want to see in the world.
IEEE, being the world’s largest professional association for the advancement of technology, fulfills the responsibility of recognizing individuals for their extraordinary achievements and efforts rendered to the IEEE region they belong to. The Larry K. Wilson Regional Student Activities Award holds a significant place among them as it recognizes the most outstanding volunteer of the year. This is awarded on an annual basis for the student who is most responsible in accomplishing great heights in student activities in each region of IEEE. It is designed to reward a particular event or product of IEEE activities and is sponsored by the Member and Geographic Activities Board (MGAB) of the IEEE.
The Larry K. Wilson Award is awarded on behalf of sustained hard work of a volunteer that makes a section vibrant and beneficial to its members and attract new members. This award encourages the members to excel in their efforts and continue the dedication showed throughout the period they actively involve in the IEEE. Such acknowledgement helps other to follow the guidance of exceptional members and also it will enable a region to strive for excellence.
Marking a significant turning point in history, Sri Lanka being a part of the IEEE Region 10 has successfully managed to achieve the most prestigious award of all, the Larry K. Wilson Award for the year 2015 which was awarded to Subodha Charles, a member of the IEEE student branch of University of Moratuwa. He is a graduate from the Department of Electronic and Telecommunication Engineering of University of Moratuwa.
Subodha holds a reputed career in IEEE which unfolds the past few years as an active member. Crucial points among those include, being the Co-chair of the IEEE Sri Lanka Section SGW Congress which was held in December 2013, for the second time in Sri Lanka, hosted by the University of Colombo School of Computing. Subodha served as the Secretary of the IEEE student branch of University of Moratuwa for the period November 2012 to January 2014 and also actively participated in all student activities as a Student representative of the IEEE Sri Lanka Section for the term February 2014 to January 2015. During his term as the Secretary of IEEE student branch of University of Moratuwa, he engaged in organizing many successful events, namely, 18th ERU Symposium, IEEE Talk, Go Green, Save Tomorrow – Energy Conservation Workshop, Code Expertz 1.0 – School Programming Competition and IEEE Day 2013 which highlighted his capabilities and dedication towards IEEE. He also represented Sri Lanka in the IEEE Sections Congress which was held in Amsterdam in the year 2014 and the IEEE R10 SGW Congress held in Hyderabad in the year 2013.
The milestone Subodha has reached did not come easy. It involved a lot of hard work and commitment. Productivity is never an accident. It is always the result of commitment to excellence, intelligent planning and focused effort. Subodha has travelled a long way as a member of IEEE and has reached a destination which leaves pride and astonishment. Such success did not happen overnight. He set an example for the Sri Lanka section of IEEE that achievements and accomplishments are limitless.
In conclusion, Sri Lanka as a part of the largest region of IEEE holds the pride of being awarded the best volunteer award for the year 2015 at the R10 IEEE Student/YP/WIE congress 2015, reaching the pinnacle of the IEEE journey.
