ConnectX E2L Forum
IEEE TEMSStudents & Young Professionals
IEEE MEFGIStudent Branch
Marwadi University

ConnectX Engineer to Leader (E2L) Forum

Learn how leaders think, turn an idea into a plan, get feedback from experienced professionals, and pitch it.

Date16 October 2026
VenueMarwadi University, Rajkot
Time2:30 PM – 5:30 PM
Open toStudents and young professionals, all engineering disciplines
TEMS SYP RepresentativeTharaka Munasinghe
Lead – Knowledge & Leadership, IEEE TEMS SYP
Program CoordinatorDr. Pratikkumar Chauhan
Assistant Professor, Marwadi University

What you gain

Leave with more than notes

Program

Your afternoon, step by step

You work in small, mixed-discipline teams, so no technical background gives anyone an advantage.

  1. 2:30–2:55 PMKeynote

    The Individual Contributor-to-Manager Paradox

    Shifting Mindsets Without Losing Technical Credibility

    How leading differs from excelling on your own, and how to build leadership skills before you hold a management title.

    Dr. Sudeendra Koushik

  2. 2:55–3:45 PMWorkshop

    E2L Canvas Workshop

    Use a practical framework to turn a problem or idea into a structured initiative.

    1. Define the problem
    2. Develop the solution
    3. Identify stakeholders and resources
    4. Plan implementation
    5. Define success

    Facilitators: Dr. Durgesh Nandan; Tharaka Munasinghe, Lead – Knowledge & Leadership, IEEE TEMS SYP

  3. 3:45–4:05 PMChallenge

    E2L Challenge

    Apply your canvas to a time-bound challenge relevant to students, early-career engineers, communities or technical organizations. Your team produces a defined problem, a practical solution, one major risk with a way to reduce it, a measure of success, and a short explanation of the idea.

    Dr. Durgesh Nandan

  4. 4:05–4:40 PMMentoring

    Speed Mentoring & Pitch Clinic

    Explain your idea to an expert, hear what to strengthen, and refine your pitch before you present.

    Mentors: Kumar Rajamani, Mukesh, Tirupati, Dr. Yatheendranath, Dr. Prosenjit Ghosh

  5. 4:40–5:15 PMCompetition

    E2L Pitch CompetitionMain event

    Present your initiative to a judging panel and answer their questions. See how pitches are judged.

    Facilitator: Tharaka Munasinghe, Lead – Knowledge & Leadership, IEEE TEMS SYP

    Judges: Dr. Sudeendra Koushik, Dr. Prosenjit Ghosh, Dr. Rajendra Patel

  6. 5:15–5:30 PMClosing

    Recognition & IEEE Pathways

    Results are announced and winners recognized. You will also hear about IEEE, IEEE Young Professionals and TEMS SYP opportunities.

The competition

How pitches are judged

Every team presents under the same rules. Judges look at six things, and each one links back to something you work on earlier in the afternoon.

  • Problem understandingIs the problem clear and relevant?
  • Leadership thinkingAre ownership, stakeholders, collaboration and decisions considered?
  • Practicality and feasibilityCould the solution realistically be implemented?
  • InnovationDoes the idea offer a useful or distinctive approach?
  • Impact and measurementIs the benefit clear, and can success be measured?
  • PresentationIs the pitch structured, clear and convincing?

Winners receive gifts and certificates at the closing session.