Dear Patrons:

I stand before you today with a deep sense of responsibility as I assume the office of Chair of the IEEE Bangalore Section for the year 2026.

IEEE Bangalore Section has risen to become the #1 IEEE Section in the world. I extend my heartfelt congratulations to our members, volunteers, and leaders on this extraordinary collective achievement. This year also marks the 50th anniversary of the Section’s establishment. This defining milestone stands as a testament to five decades of discipline, perseverance and service excellence by generations of volunteers who invested their time, energy, and trust in building something far greater than themselves. I am committed to upholding and strengthening this legacy, with the aim to serve more people, in more meaningful ways, wherever they are!

As we celebrate 50 years of excellence and global leadership, I am pleased to announce our flagship initiative for 2026: Mission 31. The mission aims to establish an inclusive IEEE presence across all 31 districts of Karnataka, while maintaining a strong focus on quality, impact and thought leadership.

To achieve this, Mission 31 will focus on six key programs:

1. Connect Karnataka: extend IEEE to every district, institution, organization and community – not just major cities – while creating inclusive pathways for students, professionals, women, and rural communities.
2. Conference 360: establish a Section-wide framework to ensure high-quality, compliant, and consistent conferences.
3. Faculty Elevate: develop a structured pathway for teaching and research excellence; fostering faculty engagement in high-quality research, open-source projects, and research translation.
4. Student Wings: shape technically strong, globally aware student leaders with greater visibility and engagement beyond the classroom.
5. Bridge to STEM: reach out to rural schools in Karnataka to impart digital and STEM skills.
6. Lead the Leaders: build a structured pathway for industry-academic-startup engagement; and enable professionals to lead with impact and contribute to initiatives of regional, national, and global significance.

I seek your partnership in shaping the future of the IEEE Bangalore Section and in writing the next chapter of its legacy.

I invite your support as a mentor, colleague, friend, and fellow IEEE member who is committed to the cause of this organization. Let us embark on this journey together and make IEEE Bangalore Section a widely recognized name in Karnataka, across India, and around the world.

With Regards,
Dr. Prasant Misra
Chair 2026, IEEE Bangalore Section