OU LinkUp 2026
September 19, 2026 · 1:30 AM - 12:30 PM @ Marawila, Club Palm Bay,
Description
OU LinkUp 2026 was held on Day 2 of IEEE SL SYWC 2026, a three-day congress bringing together students, young professionals, and Women in Engineering communities within the IEEE Sri Lanka Section. The decision to hold the event alongside the congress provided an opportunity to extend the original objective of connecting Organizational Units (OUs) and create a platform for OU representatives to engage directly with student delegates from across the Section. This enabled discussions on ongoing initiatives, future plans, and opportunities to strengthen engagement with student members and Student Branch Chapters. Another key highlight of having OULinkUp 2026 on day 2 of the IEEE SL SYWC 2026 was the partnerships established with several IEEE technical societies, including the IEEE Electronics Packaging Society, IEEE Industrial Electronics Society, IEEE Aerospace and Electronic Systems Society, IEEE Microwave Theory & Technology Society, IEEE Systems, Man, and Cybernetics Society, IEEE Circuits and Systems Society, IEEE Communications Society, IEEE Dielectrics and Electrical Insulation Society, IEEE Technology and Engineering Management Society, and IEEE Industry Applications Society. Representatives from most of these societies participated in the congress, creating a valuable opportunity for the IEEE Sri Lanka Section OU representatives to connect with the respective society representatives, exchange ideas, and explore potential avenues for collaboration. These interactions also provided greater exposure to the opportunities available through international IEEE technical communities and laid the groundwork for strengthening relationships that could support the future development of local chapters and societies. The day commenced with the OU Showcase Marketplace , where participating OUs hosted interactive stalls featuring games and activities to raise awareness of their respective communities, introduce the benefits of membership, and distribute IEEE-branded swag to delegates attending IEEE SL SYWC 2026. The activity provided an engaging way for students to learn about the different OUs and the opportunities available to them. This was followed by an interactive session on IEEE Standards , conducted by Ms. Dorothy Stanley. The session focused on the importance of global standards in engineering and technology development and provided participants with insights into how they could engage with and contribute to the IEEE standards ecosystem. The next session, OU Exchange: Sharing Successes and Exploring Collaborations , was conducted as a roundtable discussion. OU representatives shared their achievements, ongoing initiatives, future plans, and potential areas for collaboration with other OUs. Of the 21 OUs within the IEEE Sri Lanka Section, 16 were represented at the discussion. The remaining OUs had shared their feedback with the IEEE Sri Lanka Section Chair, and these inputs were communicated during the session to ensure their perspectives were also considered. The Open Forum and Announcements session provided an opportunity for OUs to discuss the challenges encountered while implementing their annual plans, identify initiatives requiring support from the Section, and share ideas and strategies to strengthen and sustain their communities. The discussions also highlighted areas for improvement, including industry engagement, student member participation, community management, social media outreach, and collaboration with external organizations. The day concluded with a Networking session that brought OU representatives and student delegates together to discuss matters relating to Student Branch Chapters. These interactions helped strengthen connections between the OUs and student communities and opened up opportunities to explore further engagement, support, and collaboration. Overall, OU LinkUp 2026 provided a platform for OU representatives to exchange experiences, discuss common challenges, and identify opportunities for collaboration, while extending these conversations to the student community. By bringing OU leaders and student delegates together within the IEEE SL SYWC 2026 congress, the event supported the broader goal of building stronger connections across the IEEE Sri Lanka Section and encouraging more coordinated and sustainable community initiatives.
Agenda
Duration Program 7.00 AM - 9.30 AM OU Showcase Marketplace and Breakfast 9.30 AM - 10.30 AM IEEE Standards by Ms. Dorothy Stanley 10.30 AM - 1.30 PM OU Exchange: Sharing Successes and Exploring Collaborations 1.30 PM - 3.00 PM Lunch & Networking 3.00 PM - 4.00 PM Open Forum & Announcements 4.00 PM - 6.00 PM Networking