Yearly Archives: 2019
IEEE $1 Million Challenge
Ideas are bigger today—and they should be. Technology is progressing faster than ever before. IEEE members have always created advancements that allow us to keep up with the changing world. The IEEE New Initiatives Committee (NIC) is looking for your help with the next big idea.
IEEE is looking for fresh ideas, innovations, and new concepts for:
- Broadening membership through engagement
- Enhancing education in underserved communities
- Experimenting with new style events
IEEE is not looking for just your ideas; turn your ideas into real solutions. That is what IEEE members do best and how you make a difference in the world. Creative and potentially disruptive approaches are encouraged—IEEE wants your outside-the-box, groundbreaking, and world-shattering ideas and solutions.
For more information please click here.
Obituary of David Okereafor
Dear Region 8 members,
It is with a heavy heart that I am announcing the passing away of David Okereafor, IEEE Nigeria Section member and dedicated young volunteer.
I would like to share with you his obituary prepared by Rapahel Onoshakpor, IEEE Nigeria Section Chair.
Please join me in conveying our condolences to his family and his Section.
Sincerely,
Magdalena Salazar Palma
IEEE Region 8 Delegate and Director
DAVID TOBECHUKWU OKEREAFOR
IEEE NIGERIA SECTION WEBMASTER
(December, 1990 – April, 2019)
IEEE Nigeria Section has lost a rare gem: David Tobechukwu Okereafor who was an exceptional IEEE volunteer and the youngest mentor. He was born on December 31, 1990 at Maiduguri, Borno State, Nigeria to late Mr Eugene Ozoemela Okereafor and Mrs Georginia Chijioke Okereafor. He was the youngest of five (5) siblings. He died on April 17, 2019, at the National Hospital, Abuja.
David graduated in 2014 from the Federal University of Technology, Owerri (FUTO) with B.Eng (Second Class (Hons), Upper Division) degree in Electrical and Electronic Engineering (Communication Engineering Option). He was a skilled Engineer, Embedded-Systems developer, Internet of Things (IoT), robots and unmanned ground vehicles.
David was an IEEE volunteer starting from his first year at university. He was the Chair at FUTO Student Branch (SB) from 2011 to 2013. He nurtured the FUTO SB till his graduation in 2014. During his time at university, he organised student paper contests, programming tutorials and encouraged students to participate in Extreme Programming competitions and made many other notable contributions. David was the curator of the IEEE Nigeria Section students’ robotics competitions. Until his demise, David was the IEEE Nigeria Section Webmaster and the Secretary of the Robotics and Automation Society, Nigeria Chapter. He was also the webmaster for the IEEE/PES Power Africa 2019 website. He designed and maintained websites for numerous IEEE Conferences organised in Nigeria, in addition to building conference paper submission portals and more. His work and personality will be dearly missed.
He was laid to rest on Friday 26th of April 2019. May his soul rest in peace.
IEEE Region 8 Awards
The IEEE recognizes the efforts of its volunteers and the contributions of its members within its fields of interest. On this page, you can find more information on the various awards that are organized in Region 8, as well as the links to the different MGA awards.
The most important Region 8 awards are:
- Region 8 Volunteer Award, Submit your nomination
- Region 8 Outstanding Section Award (categories: Small, Medium, and Large), Submit your nomination
- Region 8 Chapter of the Year Awards (categories: Small/Middle, and Large), Submit your nomination
- Region 8 Student Branch Chapter of the Year Award (categories: Small/Middle, and Large), Submit your nomination
- Clementina Saduwa Award, Submit your nomination
- Region 8 Women in Engineering Section Affinity Group of the Year Award, Submit your nomination
- Region 8 Women in Engineering Student Affinity Group of the Year Award, Submit your nomination
- Region 8 Outstanding Women in Engineering Section Volunteer Award, Submit your nomination
- Region 8 Outstanding Women in Engineering Student Volunteer Award , Submit your nomination
- Region 8 Young Professionals Exceptional Volunteer Award, Submit your nomination
- Region 8 Outstanding Young Professionals Affinity Group Award, Submit your nomination
- Region 8 Outstanding Section SIGHT Group of the Year Award and Region 8 Outstanding Student Branch SIGHT Group of the Year Award, Submit your nomination
- Region 8 Student Branch Website Award, Submit your nomination
- Region 8 SIGHT Awards, Submit your nomination
Deadline for nominations for all awards: 31 August 2025 11:59PM CEST.
These awards work on a yearly schedule. Submissions must be made using the Region 8 Award Portal, using the links above. Nominations sent through other means or after the deadline will not be considered.
The R8 Student Activities Committee manages its own student award program.
2019-October – Valencia
This page contains information about the 113th IEEE Region 8 Committee Meeting to be held in Valencia on 12-13 of October 2019.
Motions
Presentations
- Workshop: “The opportunities of building IEEE Standards for Europe, Middle East & Africa”
- Saturday Presentations - Part 1
- Saturday Presentations - Part 2
- Sunday Presentations
OpCom Reports
| Director (Magdalena Salazar Palma) | Director-Elect (Antonio Luque) |
| Past-Director (Margaretha Eriksson) | Secretary (Ana Madureira) |
| Treasurer (Adam Jastrzebski) | V/C Member Activities (Adeel Sultan) |
| V/C Student Activities (Maciej Borówka) | V/C Technical Activities (Sohaib Sheikh) |
Subcommittee Reports
Section Reports
Reimbursement
- download the reimbursement form: IEEE R8 Expense Sheet (January 2019 V15e)
- download the reimbursement guidelines: Region 8 Reimbursement Policy BH2
IEEE Inspiring Leaders
The activity “IEEE Inspiring Leaders”, seeks to bring IEEE leaders closer to student and Young Professional IEEE members, in order to motivate and inspire them.
The activity consists of an open interview-discussion, in which the panelists and other IEEE members will be asked about different aspects of their professional life and their experience in IEEE. In this manner, the event attempts to gain an insight into who are the leaders of IEEE.
The activity focuses on the human side of our participants, so it will not be a technical presentation. Therefore, no preparation for the activity is expected to be required. Just the will to have fun and have a relaxed conversation with other fellow IEEE members.
The activity will take place on Saturday 12 before lunch, in a slot specifically assigned to it (i.e. it will not collide with the R8 meeting).
Meeting Schedule – Valencia
| Friday | |||
| Foyer area | Burdeos room | Mandarina room | |
| 8:00-8:30 | |||
| 8:30-9:00 | LMAG meeting | ||
| 9:00-9:30 | |||
| 9:30-10:00 | |||
| 10:00-10:30 | Coffee Break | ||
| 10:30-11:00 | LMAG meeting | ||
| 11:00-11:30 | |||
| 11:30-12:00 | |||
| 12:00:12:30 | |||
| 12:30-13:00 | Lunch | ||
| 13:00-13:30 | Africa Council meeting | ||
| 13:30-14:00 | |||
| 14:00-14:30 | Spain Section Meeting | LMAG meeting | |
| 14:30-15:00 | |||
| 15:00-15:30 | |||
| 15:30-16:00 | Coffee Break | ||
| 16:00-16:30 | Coffee Break | Africa Council meeting | Coffee Break |
| 16:30-17:00 | Spain Section Meeting | LMAG meeting | |
| 17:00-17:30 | |||
| 17:30-18:00 | |||
| 18:00-18:05 | Director’s Address | ||
| 18:05-18:30 | Spain Section
Presentation and Awards |
||
| 18:30-19:30 | Workshop: “THE
OPPORTUNITIES OF BUILDING IEEE STANDARDS FOR EUROPE, MIDDLE EAST & AFRICA” |
||
| 19:30-20:30 | |||
| 20:30-21:00 | Welcome Reception | ||
| 21:00-21:30 | Dinner
(Hotel Restaurant – Bar – Terrace) |
||
| 21:30-22:00 | |||
| 22:00-22:30 | |||
| 22:30-23:00 |
| Saturday | Sunday | |
| Celeste I+II | Celeste I+II | |
| 8:00-8:30 | Region 8 Meeting | Region 8 Meeting |
| 8:30-9:00 | ||
| 9:00-9:30 | ||
| 9:30-10:00 | ||
| 10:00-10:30 | ||
| 10:30-11:00 | ||
| 11:00-11:30 | ||
| 11:30-12:00 | ||
| 12:00:12:30 | ||
| 12:30-13:00 | ||
| 13:00-13:30 | ||
| 13:30-14:00 | ||
| 14:00-14:30 | ||
| 14:30-15:00 | ||
| 15:00-15:30 | ||
| 15:30-16:00 | ||
| 16:00-16:30 | ||
| 16:30-17:00 | ||
| 17:00-17:30 | ||
| 17:30-18:00 | ||
| 18:00-18:05 | City tour | |
| 18:05-18:30 | ||
| 18:30-19:30 | ||
| 19:30-20:30 | Gala Dinner | |
| 20:30-21:00 | ||
| 21:00-21:30 | ||
| 21:30-22:00 | ||
| 22:00-22:30 | ||
| 22:30-23:00 | ||
| Bus to Hotel |
Order of the Day – Valencia
Friday |
|||||
| Time | Duration | # | Type | Item | Presenter |
| 16:00 | 2:00:00 | Registration open | |||
| 18:00 | 0:05:00 | Director’s Address | Magdalena Salazar Palma | ||
| 18:05 | 0:25:00 | Spain Section Presentation and Awards | Jesús Fraile Ardanuy | ||
| 18:30 | 2:00:00 | Workshop “THE OPPORTUNITIES OF BUILDING IEEE STANDARDS FOR EUROPE, MIDDLE EAST AND AFRICA” | Jesús Fraile / Óscar Martínez / Clara Neppel | ||
| 20:30 | 0:30:00 | Welcome Reception | |||
| 21:00 | 2:00:00 | Welcome Dinner – Dress Code: Business Casual | |||
| 23:00 | Dinner Ends | ||||
Saturday |
|||||
| Time | Duration | # | Type | Item | Presenter |
| 7:00 | 1:00:00 | Social | Breakfast | ||
| 8:00 | 0:05:00 | 100 | Procedural | Call to Order | Magdalena Salazar Palma |
| 8:05 | 0:15:00 | 101 | Procedural | Roll Call / Introduction of New Officers / Representatives / Guests / Apologiess for Absence | Ana Madureira / Magdalena Salazar Palma |
| 8:20 | 0:05:00 | 102 | Procedural | Welcome by Spain Section Chair | Jesús Fraile Ardanuy |
| 8:25 | 0:05:00 | 103 | Procedural | Introductory Remarks | Magdalena Salazar Palma |
| 8:30 | 0:05:00 | 104 | Action | Approval of the Consent Agenda | Magdalena Salazar Palma |
| 8:35 | 0:05:00 | 105 | Action | Approval of the Agenda | Magdalena Salazar Palma |
| 8:40 | 0:30:00 | 106 | Discussion | IEEE Region 8 Director’s Address | Magdalena Salazar Palma |
| 9:10 | 0:30:00 | 107 | Discussion | IEEE Past President’s Address | Jim Jefferies |
| 9:40 | 0:30:00 | 108 | Discussion | IEEE Executive Director and COO Address | Stephen Welby |
| 10:10 | 0:10:00 | 109 | Discussion | IEEE Region 1: Identifying Member Journeys and Interface Points for Engagement | Babak Dastgheib-Beheshti |
| 10:20 | 0:10:00 | 110 | Discussion | IEEE Region 7 Director’s Address | Maike Luiken |
| 10:30 | 0:20:00 | Social | Coffee Break | ||
| 10:50 | 2:00:00 | 111 | Workshop | IEEE Inspiring Leaders Event | Jesús Fraile Ardanuy |
| 12:50 | 1:30:00 | Social | Lunch | ||
| 14:20 | 0:30:00 | 201 | Discussion | IEEE VP, MGAB, IEEE Managing Director, MGA: Strategies & Directions | Francis Grosz / Cecelia Jankowski |
| 14:50 | 0:10:00 | 202 | Discussion | Stategic Planning Committee | Antonio Luque / Martin Bastiaans |
| 15:00 | 0:30:00 | 203 | Discussion | Student Activities | Maciej Borówka |
| 15:30 | 0:20:00 | Social | Coffee Break | ||
| 15:50 | 0:45:00 | 204 | Discussion | Member Activities | Adeel Sultan |
| 16:35 | 0:15:00 | 205 | Discussion | IEEE Foundation and Life Members | Charles Turner – IEEE LM Committee Chair |
| 16:50 | 0:10:00 | 206 | Discussion | Nominations and Appointments Report and Election Instructions | Vera Markovic |
| 17:00 | 0:15:00 | 207 | Discussion | Presentations of VCs Candidates | Vera Markovic |
| 17:15 | 0:05:00 | 208 | Executive Session | Voting | Vera Markovic |
| 17:20 | 0:05:00 | 209 | Discussion | Presentation of election results | Vera Markovic |
| 17:25 | 0:05:00 | 210 | Procedural | Closing of day one | Magdalena Salazar Palma |
| 17:30 | 0:05:00 | 211 | Social | Group photo | Ana Madureira |
| 17:35 | End of meeting – day one | ||||
| 18:30 | 0:10:00 | Social | Meeting Point for Bus: Outside Hotel | ||
| 18:40 | 1:30:00 | Social | Valencia Tour by Bus with Guide | ||
| 20:10 | 2:45:00 | Social | Gala Dinner at La Ferradura Restaurant / Awards Ceremony | Costas Stasopoulos | |
| 22:55 | 0:10:00 | Social | Bus Drive to Hotel | ||
| 23:05 | Social | Arrival to Barceló Valencia Hotel | |||
Sunday |
|||||
| Time | Duration | # | Type | Item | Presenter |
| 7:00 | 1:00:00 | Social | Breakfast | ||
| 8:00 | 0:05:00 | 300 | Procedural | Call to Order | Magdalena Salazar Palma |
| 8:05 | 0:35:00 | 301 | Discussion | Technical Activities | Sohaib Sheikh |
| 8:40 | 0:05:00 | 302 | Info | Upcoming Flagship Conferences | Ljupco Karazdinov |
| 8:45 | 0:20:00 | 303 | Discussion | IEEE Collabratec – Region 8 Performance | John Day |
| 9:05 | 0:20:00 | 304 | Discussion | IEEE R8 Director-Elect Candidates Presentations | Costas Stasopoulos: Igor Kuzle / Vin Piuri |
| 9:25 | 0:10:00 | 305 | Discussion | IEEE R8 Director-Elect Candidates Q&A | All |
| 9:35 | 0:10:00 | 306 | Executive Session | Discussion and voting | |
| 9:45 | 0:05:00 | 307 | Discussion | Presentation of the voting results | Costas Stasopoulos |
| 9:50 | 0:15:00 | 308 | Discussion | Africa Council Update | Habib Kammoun |
| 10:05 | 0:15:00 | 309 | Discussion | IEEE Membership Dues – Payment by Installment Option | Adeel Sultan / Sohaib Sheikh |
| 10:20 | 0:20:00 | Social | Coffee Break | ||
| 10:40 | 0:20:00 | 310 | Discussion | Treasurer and Finance Committee Report | Adam Jastrzebski |
| 11:00 | 0:30:00 | 311 | Discussion | 2020 Budget Proposal | Adam Jastrzebski |
| 11:30 | 0:30:00 | 312 | Discussion | Concur Reimbursement System Presentation | Adam Jastrzebski |
| 12:00 | 0:10:00 | 313 | Discussion | IEEE Sections Congress | Costas Stasopoulos |
| 12:10 | 0:20:00 | 314 | Motions | Motions Presentation, Discussion, and Voting | Antonio Luque |
| 12:30 | 0:05:00 | 315 | Discussion | New Business | All |
| 12:35 | 0:05:00 | 316 | Discussion | Call for Proposals for Incoming R8 Committee Meetings | Antonio Luque |
| 12:40 | 0:10:00 | 317 | Discussion | Invitation to Next Region 8 Committee Meeting | Mariusz Malinowski |
| 12:50 | 0:05:00 | 318 | Discussion | Closing Remarks | Magdalena Salazar Palma |
| 12:55 | 0:05:00 | 319 | Procedural | Adjournment | Magdalena Salazar Palma |
| 13:00 | 1:00:00 | Social | Lunch | ||
| 14:00 | End of Meeting | ||||
Consent Agenda |
|||||
| 501 | Action | Approval of the minutes of the 112th Region 8 Committee meeting | |||
| 502 | Report | Reports | |||
Publications & Communications
Publications & Communications (P&C) Committee Mission
The Publications & Communications (P&C) Committee plays a crucial role in managing, coordinating, and overseeing the communication channels within our community. Our primary goal is to serve the needs of Region 8 members as well as prospective members, ensuring they are informed, engaged, and up-to-date on all relevant activities and developments. This includes sharing valuable information about upcoming conferences, highlighting significant event reviews, and celebrating the achievements of our members in a variety of fields.
As with any news or communications outlet, we heavily rely on you, our members, to provide us with the content that fuels our publications. Whether it’s an article, an announcement, or a personal achievement you’d like to highlight, we encourage you to reach out and contribute.
If you’re ever unsure about who to contact or if you need assistance with submitting your content, don’t hesitate to get in touch with us. Simply send an email to [email protected], or you can fill out our this form to describe your request, and we will make sure to connect you with the right person to assist you. We are here to help and ensure your content is shared with the wider Region 8 community.
Committee Chair
I am honoured and delighted to serve as Chair of the Publications & Communications (P&C) Committee for the 2025-2026 term.
For those who don’t know me, I’m Nick Wainwright. My career has been rooted in the Testing, Inspection, and Certification industry, where I am the Technical, Quality and Regulatory Affairs Director for Eurofins Electrical and Electronics, Europe.
My journey with IEEE began in the late 1980s, though, like many, I remained a ‘silent member’ for years – paying my subscription and receiving my magazines. That changed just over a decade ago when I became involved with the UK & Ireland EMC Chapter. Shortly after, I took on the challenge of designing and maintaining the Section’s website, a responsibility I continue to this day. Fortunately, this experience has given me a strong foundation in publications and communications.
The P&C Committee plays a vital role in promoting the activities of Region 8 through various channels. Like all news platforms, we rely on contributions from our members. We encourage each organisation to appoint a Communications Officer who can collaborate with us to highlight events and achievements. Organising events requires significant effort, and it’s only right that they receive the visibility they deserve – both before and after they take place.
My immediate priority as Chair is to ensure all these channels are fully active and ready to support Region 8 activities. In the medium term, we will focus on giving the main Region 8 website a much-needed refresh.
I am always eager to hear from volunteers who can help us make a significant and sustained impact to IEEE Region 8.
Most importantly “We Need Your News Contributions!”
Contact us:
P&C Committee: [email protected]
Article Submissions: [email protected] or via this form
I look forward to supporting the activities of Region 8 through an active and responsive P&C Committee.
Nick Wainwright
[email protected]
IEEE Region 8 News
IEEE Region 8 News is a twice-yearly newsletter published by the Region 8 Committee to keep IEEE members across the Region informed about programmes, initiatives, events, and activities. The publication showcases news, achievements, and stories from throughout Region 8.
IEEE Region 8 News is produced by volunteer editors with contributions from members from across Region 8. The Editor-in-Chief of Region 8 News is Bojan Nikolic (right) from the UK and Ireland Section, assisted by Maja Matijasevic (left) from the Croatia Section.
The Editorial Team welcomes reports, stories, and general content, including photographs and short videos, which can be emailed to [email protected] or submitted via the contributor guidance page. This also provides useful advice on preparing articles for IEEE Region 8 News, including text, artwork, and image formats.
The printed edition is distributed with IEEE Spectrum to IEEE members throughout the Region, while the electronic version is distributed by email and is also available for download from the Region 8 News website. As it is produced to specific deadlines throughout the year, it is an ideal medium for reporting on past events, meetings, and achievements, while also offering some opportunity to promote future activities.
After a hiatus in 2024 and 2025, the newsletter is making a comeback in 2026. Download the latest issue of the newsletter here:
IEEE Region 8 News – Special issue 2024-2025
(Vol. 25, No. 1).
As soon as a new issue is published, it is delivered to IEEE members in Region 8 through the eNotice system. Recipients may unsubscribe at any time through the IEEE Privacy Portal.
We are also looking for new Associate Editors. To get in touch, ask questions, or submit an article, please contact [email protected].
Earlier editions of IEEE Region 8 News, dating back to 2002 (Vol. 5, No. 1), can be downloaded free of charge from the
IEEE Region 8 News back issues page.