The goal of Local UPA Chapters is to offer people with the same interest to come together regularly to share their experience and to encourage each other in the usability profession. The focus is on truly local activities connecting usability professionals with each other. Business meetings with invited speakers, Usability lab tours and Usability roundtables, where you can bring interesting usability problems to be solved jointly, are some examples of what a Local Chapter may offer. Above all; it provides a handy and convenient network for everyday access.
A Local Chapter is a group of UPA members who live or work in a particular locality and who, as a matter of geographic convenience, organize themselves to promote the goals of the Association cooperatively. It serves as a focal point for its members to share their professional experiences and provide educational opportunities in the advancement research field. Local UPA Chapters offer a number of benefits to its members.
A Platform for Networking
One of the greatest resources for professional and personal development is to meet with colleagues in the same field. You gain new information on state-of-the-art technology, access to others' experiences and knowledge and you will get the chance to broaden your insights.
Professional Development
Your Chapter meetings and activities allow you to expand your knowledge in the Usability research/development area. Chapters bring continuous education opportunities closer to home and provide a bridge between the annual UPA conferences. It is also possible to organize Mentor Programs as a way for the members to grow in their profession.
Exchange of Services and Contributing to UPA as an Organization
Local UPA chapters offer the possibilities of exchanging both professional experiences and services, such as reviewing each other's papers and conference contributions. It will also act as a greenhouse for new ideas that can be implemented globally by the Association, and provide UPA with potential new members to the Board of Directors.
UPA Singapore Council
President: Yuanfu Qiu
Vice-President: Haiping Hu
Vice-President: CheeKoon Lim
Secretary: Lakshmi Ramaswamy
Treasurer: Hua Zhang
Director of Program Committee: Julvie Siew
Director of Special Projects Committee: Lakshmanan Lakshmanan
Director of Public Relationships Committee: Murali Pariyarakaran
Special thanks to the immediate past president, Mr Gul Khan