IEEE Region 8 Humanitarian Technology Activities Committee

Neemat Abdelrahim, IEEE Region 8 Humanitarian Technology Activities Committee

IEEE SIGHT Day’s purpose is to foster a spirit of community for the global SIGHT network, increase awareness of IEEE SIGHT within IEEE, and celebrate the impact SIGHT volunteers and groups are making. A Connecting Humanitarian Experts Webinar took place intertwined with the 2024 IEEE SIGHT Day celebration under the theme of quality education, sustainable lifelong education in particular, and it was presented by Stamatis Dragoumanos, Chair of the IEEE EAB pre-university education coordination committee. Connecting Humanitarian Experts Webinars aim to understand the humanitarian impact of achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals as engineers and technologists. This time, a safe and welcoming learning environment, opportunities for lifelong learning, access to high-quality education, and more were highlighted with attendees from 20 sections and 27 SIGHT groups from all over the region. At the same time, the IEEE SIGHT Day 2024 was celebrated across the region as many SIGHT groups organized an IEEE SIGHT Day, bringing together individuals passionate about technology for humanitarian purposes. Let’s have an overview of these events and get inspired from the work of SIGHT volunteers in Europe, Middle East, and Africa.

SIGHT Day Celebration Congress in Tunisia

organized by IEEE Tunisia Section SIGHT at 20-21 April

The IEEE SIGHT Day Celebration Congress (SDC), hosted by IEEE SIGHT Tunisia Section x IEEE SIGHT ESSTHS SB, marked a milestone in the IEEE SIGHT community. This month-long initiative challenged SIGHT Groups and Student Branches to address local humanitarian issues through innovative collaborations. Participants worked with local humanitarian units on predefined challenges, developing impactful solutions. The most promising solution received funding and support for implementation, ensuring sustainability. The event included presentations, workshops, challenges, and networking opportunities, both virtual and in-person. Attendees learned from successful projects, shared experiences, and connected with fellow SIGHT members. Prominent IEEE Humanitarian Technologies Board (HTB) figures provided insights on overcoming challenges in underserved communities, highlighting strategies to improve the quality of life.

IEEE SIGHT Day 2024 Celebration in Egypt

organized by IEEE Egypt Section SIGHT at 27 April

The day commenced with inspiring speeches from the IEEE Egypt section chair, IEEE Jordan section chair, IEEE SIGHT Egypt chair, and IEEE SIGHT Jordan chair. Then 4 keynote speeches, from Mike Hinchey (R8 Director-Elect), Sampathkumar Veeraraghavan (HTB Past Chair), Theodoros Chatzinikolaou (R8 HTAC Chair), and Julianna M Pichardo (Humanitarian Activities & Sustainable Development Manager), set the tone for discussions centered around humanitarian, innovation, collaboration, and social impact. Finally, the attendees engaged in a thought-provoking panel discussion titled “Empowering Humanitarian Technology: Challenges and Opportunities”, delving into topics ranging from disaster response technology, education technology solutions, the adoption of healthcare technology solutions, sustainable energy solutions, and sustainable development. The event was attended by 70 people.

Training Program to Improve the Technical Skills in Circuit and Systems used in Renewable Energy for the Future Engineers

organized by IEEE Lebanon Section SIGHT at various dates in April and May

IEEE Joint Chapter IE13/PE31/CAS04/PEL35, in collaboration with IEEE Lebanon SIGHT and LIU student Branch is undertaking an exciting initiative aimed at introducing high school students to the fascinating world of renewable energy. Many IEEE members received specialized training at various universities with Dr. Mohamad Arnaout, the chair of IEEE Joint Chapter IE13/PE31/CAS04/PEL35, while the team visited various schools to perform the experiments. The collaboration aims to inspire young minds and ignite their passion for science and technology by providing them with hands-on experience in conducting experiments and applying theoretical concepts in practical settings. The program is expected to help students develop critical thinking skills and encourage them to pursue careers in STEM fields.

SIGHT Day Celebration in H I Informatics & Mathematics of Monastir

organized by IEEE H I Informatics & Mathematics of Monastir SB SIGHT at 22 April

To commemorate SIGHT Day, the IEEE ISIMM SIGHT GROUP proudly marked the occasion for the second year with a meticulously crafted booth. Adorned with handcrafted embellishments and a captivating display of projects, the booth showcased our dedication and innovation. Polaroids captured pivotal moments from our journey, highlighting our achievements. Throughout the event, we engaged with students, sharing insights into our initiatives and inviting them to explore sight-related endeavors. Our goal was to showcase our accomplishments and foster a deeper understanding of sight’s significance. We also extended our hospitality to the faculty administration, whose appreciation underscored our work’s importance. Our participation served to inspire others to join our mission in advancing sight-related causes.

ESPRIT SIGHT Webinar 4.0

organized by IEEE ESPRIT SB SIGHT at 4 May

On May 4, 2024, we celebrated IEEE SIGHT Day with the Esprit SIGHT Webinar 4.0, honoring our volunteers and showcasing humanitarian technologies’ power. Distinguished speakers included Engr. Abdullateef Aliyu, who shared valuable insights, Dr. Mohamed S. Darweesh, who discussed his groundbreaking work, and Dr. Mousa Al Akhras, who highlighted impactful innovative solutions. The webinar united global experts and participants, fostering collaboration and innovation. Discussions emphasized technology’s role in addressing humanitarian challenges and the importance of volunteer contributions. This celebration demonstrated the power of collective action and the positive change achieved through dedication and innovation. We are grateful to everyone who participated and made the ESPRIT SIGHT Webinar 4.0 a success.

SIGHT Day Celebration in H I Informatics & Mathematics of Monastir

organized by IEEE Federal University of Technology Owerri SB SIGHT at 13 June

During the SIGHT celebration, an inspection of a completed SIGHT project at Umuokanne (Umuokanne Solar Water Project) was hosted. In addition to the inspection of the already completed project in use already, the recently awarded SIGHT projects (Solar Dryer for Agric Produce and Umuokanna Solar Water Project) were presented at the event. During the event, an awards and certificate presentation, and a membership development session were featured. The event was held successfully with 98 people in attendanceat the venue.

Omar Salameh, IEEE Region 8 Humanitarian Activities Committee

In February, The IEEE Region 8 Humanitarian Activities Committee held a workshop for Humanitarian Projects and Teams Management where participants delved into crucial aspects of managing humanitarian volunteering groups, project coordination, and nurturing strong team-community relations.

The workshop was led by Dr Kennedy, Project Manager of FUTO CISCO Academy, Nigeria, and Chair of the MSR-Laboratories at FUTO, the workshop provided valuable insights into structuring SIGHT Groups, forging funding collaborations, and fostering membership growth. The attendees benefited from the precious experience of Dr Kennedy to extend their collaboration with industry leaders and local communities as he has spearheaded impactful projects, earning him over 32 awards and securing research grants exceeding £2M in Africa.

The workshop covered a range of topics, beginning with an exploration of IEEE Humanitarian Projects, shedding light on available opportunities from an IEEE perspective. Dr. Kennedy then delved into the nuances of effective team management in humanitarian projects, offering guidance on how SIGHT Groups can cultivate high-performing teams to address humanitarian opportunities.

A highlight of the session was the presentation of case studies and a group discussion, where Dr. Kennedy showcased best practices and examples from diverse humanitarian projects. Project leaders shared their experiences, detailing how they navigated challenges and achieved success, leaving a positive impact on their communities.

The workshop served as a platform for learning and sharing experiences, equipping participants with valuable knowledge to navigate the complexities of humanitarian projects and drive meaningful change in their communities. The workshop concluded with a Q&A session, providing attendees with the opportunity to seek further insights and clarification.