Biography
Dr. Ramalatha Marimuthu, Director of the iExplore Foundation for Sustainable Development, is a dedicated researcher specializing in Assistive Technology and Education. She has led numerous research projects and published papers focusing on technology solutions for marginalized groups. Her expertise in Universal Access to Technology, technology acceptance, and adoption has resulted in collaborative publications with global experts. She has also delivered invited talks at prestigious institutions, including leading universities worldwide and Google, Mountain View.
As an educator, she has pioneered curriculum development by introducing industry-collaborative labs in animation and gaming. Through international partnerships with universities in the US and Japan, she has established assistive technology teams working on solutions for individuals with special needs. Her research on education methodologies has contributed to papers on project-based learning and its impact on career growth.
As the Founder Director of the iExplore Foundation for Sustainable Development, she envisions a world where technology and education empower youth to build a sustainable future. The foundation aims to impact one million young individuals by promoting responsible technology as a pathway to achieving the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals. Central to this mission is engaging youth in technology development through project-based learning, mentorship, and cross-border collaborations, fostering a diverse and inclusive environment.
In alignment with this vision, iExplore Foundation for Sustainable Development leads several key initiatives:
IEEE YESIST12: An international platform encouraging social innovations through science and technology, engaging participants from over 30 countries to develop scalable solutions for societal challenges.
Returning Mothers Conference: A program dedicated to supporting women re-entering the workforce after career breaks, promoting gender inclusivity and workforce sustainability.
Cyber Champions: A program aimed at educating and empowering individuals, particularly youth, to become proficient in cybersecurity, promoting safe and responsible use of technology.
Atal Tinkering Labs (ATL) Program for School Children: An initiative designed to foster creativity and innovation among school students by providing them with the tools and mentorship to explore STEM fields, encouraging hands-on learning and problem-solving skills.
Through these initiatives, Dr. Marimuthu strives to create a technologically sound and socially responsible younger generation, equipped to tackle global challenges and contribute to a sustainable world.
Qualifications
My volunteer experience in IEEE and other organisations as a leader and a contributor demonstrates a consistent record of hard work, perseverance, leadership, collaboration and integrity. I have served as a volunteer in student branch, section, region and committee levels and I have a thorough knowledge of the Governance which has served me well through many leadership positions to perform my duties with due diligence. The diversity in my service across the major boards in various levels has given me a very good experience, a large network and a wonderful goodwill.
I believe it is necessary for the growth of the IEEE CS to encourage diverse experience in serving its members, which will help to ensure that knowledge transfer from those resources is possible in times of necessity. Following the pandemic, we are in need of socialization and expansion to expedite matters of importance to reach their natural conclusion. In addition to serving in IEEE MGA and Educational Activities Board in leadership and member positions, I have also served in Discovere’s Global Marathon, Anita Borg Institute’s Grace Hopper Celebration and World Bank’s WePOWER network.
All of these senior leadership positions have enriched my experience, confidence and network to best position me in fulfilling the goals of IEEE CS towards its membership and the society at large.