Dear Colleagues:
I hope that all of you have enjoyed Christmas holidays and energised yourself to launch into a new year with many exciting ideas.
Let me share some recent developments from the TCSC along with its final annual report:
1. I am just back from the TCSC sponsored e-Science 2007 conference held in India. The conference was highly successful from all dimensions: technically, socially, and financially. The conference attracted a large number of delegates and donors/sponsors: http://www.escience2007.org/sponsorsendorsements.asp
The conference also attracted excellent media attention. Both the conference and the Society has been featured in many regional and national news papers paving the way for the promotion of the CS: http://www.escience2007.org/presscoverage.asp I believe this will translate into increased know how of Society activities and new memberships from emerging regions in Asia (including India).
The conference conclusion is also featured in the media, a copy of which is available at: http://www.cdac.in/html/press/4q07/spot617.asp
2. From the TCSC's perspective (http://www.ieeetcsc.org/), 2007 has been a great and exciting year. TCSC has strengthened earlier programs and services and further created new and innovative programs for the benefit of our community. For example, to ignite the minds of young researchers and recognise a prominent volunteer (for his/her excellence in research and community service), TCSC has initiated two new programs: (i) IEEE International Scalable Computing Challenge and (ii) IEEE Medal for Excellence in Scalable Computing.
For full details on TCSC's 2007 activities, please browse the "final" annual report available at:
http://www.ieeetcsc.org/tcsc_files/TCSC2007AnnualReport.pdf
I have added outcomes of TCSC's recent events and some thoughts for future activities as a result of new community developments.
3. As this report also happens to be my final report as the first elected Chair of the TCSC, I have tried to reflect on TCSC accomplishments during my tenure over the last two years. Of course, the position statement:
http://www.ieeetcsc.org/raj_position_statement.html
I had put forward, which is endorsed by the TCSC community (by way of electing me), has offered strong guiding principles for TCSC activities and services to its communities. I sincerely hope and believe that I have been able to deliver all that I had promised to the Society.
4. Acknowledgements: This was all made possible due to the strong support I received from all the members and volunteers of TCSC (members of the executive committee, organisers of various TCSC events), TCSC advisory committee, the IEEE Computer Society, colleagues/friends on the TCSC discussion mailing list, media, industrial sponsors of TCSC events and all participants. I have tried my best to recognise all our key volunteers by nominating them for the IEEE Computer Society service awards (see 2007 annual report for details).
I would like to offer my special appreciation to my employer (the University of Melbourne) and my family for allowing me to spend a significant amount of time on TCSC community services.
5. In a day or two, I will be handing over TCSC leadership to a new Chair - I am waiting for the Society's announcement of the results of recent TCSC election. I will offer my full support to the new TCSC leader to ensure smooth transition and outstanding success of TCSC in offering community services into the future.
Thank you one and all, for your unreserved support and kindness you have offered me for the past several years. I will continue to look for new opportunities to further serve our IEEE Computer Society with dedication.
I wish you and your family a happy and prosperous new year 2008.
Best regards
Raj
