The Darell Chong Student Activity Award

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The Darell Chong student activity award serves to change the mindset of our student groups, from being number-driven to becoming value-driven, and to acknowledge exemplary student activities around the world. The goal is to improve the quality of activities and to foster knowledge sharing among students. The initiative is targeted at improving student-membership growth and retention. This will encourage and motivate students to continue to innovate and implement meaningful ideas.

To be eligible for application:

  • Interested student groups are required to submit a description of an activity organized.
  • This award share four categories namely (Bronze, Silver, Gold, Platinum) in order of increasing value.
  • Activities conducted more than once will be considered of higher priority, the intention being the upliftment and encouragement of student branches, increase productivity.
  • Winning activities from previous years can only be elevated to the next highest category, based on significant improvements to their activity model since past submission(s). They are not eligible for a lower award category or the same one, upon resubmission in any subsequent year.
  • Any operational unit (OU) ie. IEEE Student Branches, Student Branch Chapters and Student Branch Affinity Groups are eligible for this award program.
  • A maximum of two applications can be submitted per year by an Operational Unit including all the subunits (Student Branch Chapters, Affinity Groups).
  • Activities in collaboration with multiple OUs are eligible for the award. This is to be represented in the same singular application.
  • More than one nomination for the same activity, even from different OUs will lead to immediate disqualification.

Nomination Process:

  • Fill in the nomination form and complete each section in a concise manner, explaining how the activity qualifies for this award.
  • Attach an endorsement letter acknowledging and/or recommending activities in the nomination from the OU Counselor/Advisor.
  • Nominator(s) can submit the nomination through the Student Awards Portal.

Evaluation Criteria:

Each entry will be categorized as one of the four classifications: Unranked, Bronze, Silver, Gold, Platinum (in the order of increasing value).

Judging is carried out primarily on the following criteria:

  1. The Concept (0-20)
    • Problem Recognition/Reason for Activity (0-5)
    • Relevance/Value Created (0-5)
    • Creativity/Uniqueness (0-5)
    • Quality of the Written Proposal (0-5)
  2. Implementation (0-20)
    • Implementation/Organization (0-15)
    • Collaboration (0-5)
  3. Repeatability (0-15)
    • Sustainability (0-8)
    • Portability (0-7)
  4. Results and Outcomes (0-45)
    • Participation (0-5)
    • Relevance to IEEE (0-10)
    • Positive Impact (0-10)
    • Overall Impression (0-10)
    • Changing Mindset (0-10)

Steps to follow while applying:

  1. In the application portal, the primary details of the activity being nominated viz. the activity name, leader name, and credentials are to be mentioned along with the Operational Unit details.
  2. The nominator (individual filling out the application) details are to be mentioned in a later section with their credentials within IEEE.
  3. The eligibility of the activity is scrutinized where the details of the activity are to be filled out in essay format not exceeding 300 words with emphasis on the criteria given above.
    • The concept should cover the problem statement, its relevance to IEEE, and the level of creativity.
    • The implementation should mention the level of organization.
    • Repeatability values the sustainability of the activity and has to be filled with the idea of the same in mind.
    • Results and outcomes focus on the levels to which the participants were influenced.
  4. Endorsements can be from the IEEE Student Branch Counselor, Student Branch Chapter Advisor, Student Branch Affinity Group Advisor, Section SAC, Section Chair, or Section Student Representative. Even though previously filled details will be sent to the endorser via e-mail, it is recommended that the endorser be well informed about the award and the activity being submitted as the nomination to ease the process.