The IEEE Student Branch Chapter at Alliance University organised the inaugural ceremony of the IEEE Vehicular Technology Society (VTS) Student Branch Chapter. The event brought together university faculty, IEEE members, and representatives from the IEEE VTS Bangalore Chapter to mark the beginning of a collaborative journey in the field of vehicular technology.

Inaugural Ceremony and Guests:

The ceremony was attended by members from the IEEE VTS Bangalore Chapter, including Dr Anish Cheriyan, Chairman; Mr Thiyagu Gopal, Vice Chairman; and Mr Suresh Sathiyakumar, Secretary. The event was presided over by Dr B. Priestly Shan, Vice Chancellor of the University and Chairman, IEEE Student Branch. He delivered the inaugural address. The programme began with a welcome by the event anchor, Ms Anushka Reddy, Chairman of the IEEE Student Branch Chapter, followed by the lighting of the ceremonial lamp and felicitation of the guests. 

VTS Membership Presentation and Address:

During the event, the VTS Bangalore Chapter presented the VTS membership plaque to Dr B. Priestly Shan. Dr Anish Cheriyan, Chairman of the VTS Bangalore Chapter and Vice President of M/s Harman Automotive, delivered an address on the future of the automotive industry and the skills required in the sector. He spoke about trends such as connected vehicles, autonomous technologies, electrification, and software-defined mobility. Dr Anish also provided an overview of the technical divisions at Harman Automotive, sharing information on innovation strategies and collaboration opportunities. His session helped participants understand the developments in the automotive field and how students can prepare for future roles. 

Insights from VTS Bangalore Chapter Representatives:

Mr Suresh Sathiyakumar, Secretary of the VTS Bangalore Chapter, shared details about the chapter’s objectives, initiatives, and outreach activities. He encouraged academic collaboration through joint research, technical workshops, student development programmes, and partnerships between academia and industry. Mr Thiyagu Gopal, Vice Chairman of the VTS Bangalore Chapter, spoke about the strategic vision and yearly activity plan of the chapter. He invited the new VTS Student Branch Chapter to participate in these programmes and contribute to future initiatives.

University Participation and Support:

The event was also attended by Dr V. Vivek, Deputy Director, ASAC; Dr Charanjit Singh, Director, First Year Engineering Programmes; and Dr Amar Choudhary, Coordinator, VTS Student Branch Chapter. Dr Srikanth Itapu, IEEE Student Branch Member, and Dr Sridhar T, Counsellor, IEEE Student Branch Chapter, were also present. Faculty members of the School of Engineering and the School of Applied Sciences, along with IEEE student members, took part in the ceremony. The event concluded with a Vote of Thanks by Dr Sridhar T. 

Visit to Centres of Excellence:

After the ceremony, the guests visited the Centres of Excellence at the university, including the Makerspace and the Additive Manufacturing centre. They were guided through the facilities and shown the ongoing student and faculty projects. The guests shared their thoughts and acknowledged the university’s infrastructure and focus on practical learning and innovation. They also discussed possible areas for collaboration, including joint workshops and knowledge-sharing sessions.

Conclusion:

The inauguration of the IEEE Vehicular Technology Society (VTS) Student Branch Chapter marked a step towards promoting research and collaboration in vehicular technology. The event brought together members of the academic and professional community to explore ways to work together and support student development in this field.