September 2026

Welcome to the September 2026 issue of the IEEE Region 8 WIE Newsletter. Discover highlights, achievements, activities, technical and leadership insights, student and young professional stories, diversity initiatives, and opportunities from the WIE community across Region 8.

In celebration of IEEE WIE Day 2026, the newly established IEEE Women in Engineering (WIE) Iraq Affinity Group proudly co-hosted an impactful and high-level panel discussion webinar titled “Shaping the Next-generation of Girl Leaders: She Leads the Way”.

The prominent international event was organized in a joint collaborative milestone by IEEE Region 8 WIE, IEEE WIE Iraq, and IEEE WIE Egypt, under the technical sponsorship of the IEEE Systems Council Egypt Chapter. Aligned with the 2026 IEEE WIE Day theme, “TECHNOLOGY WITH IMPACT: Innovate Responsibly, Inspire Globally, Lead with Impact”, the session aimed to empower the next generation of female youth and tech leaders across the region.

The webinar, held on Sunday, July 5th, featured an elite panel of influential women leaders, including Wafa Ben Hmida (Chair, IEEE Region 8 WIE), Prof. Dr. Sherin Youssef (Chair, IEEE WIE Egypt & Chair of IEEE Sys Council Egypt Chapter), Prof. Dr. Suha M. Hadi (Dean of the Institute of Informatics for Graduate Studies – UoITC, and Chair of the Committee of Deans of Colleges of IT and CS in Iraq), and Prof. Dr. Ruaa Al-Falluji (Chair, IEEE WIE Iraq).

The discussion triggered vital conversations on reshaping the future of young female engineers, fostering global tech leadership, and expanding mentorship opportunities. This landmark collaboration underscores WIE Iraq’s vibrant dedication to creating a sustainable ecosystem that drives professional excellence, diversity, and engineering innovation from its very inception.

Official poster for the joint IEEE WIE Day panel discussion featuring regional and national chairs from IEEE Region 8 WIE, WIE Iraq, and WIE Egypt. Photo credit: IEEE WIE Iraq Affinity Group.

In celebration of IEEE WIE Day 2026, the IEEE Women in Engineering (WIE) Iraq Affinity Group successfully organized an inspiring educational workshop titled “Girls in STEM: Smart & Safe Digital Future”.

The workshop, held on Sunday, June 28th, 2026, was presented by Dr. Arwa Theyab, the Secretary of IEEE WIE Iraq. Aligned with the core mission of WIE to empower women and youth in technical fields, the session focused on vital themes regarding digital literacy, online safety, and the strategic utilization of modern smart technologies.

Directed toward fostering the capabilities of young women in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics), the event provided attendees with practical tools and knowledge to navigate the evolving digital world securely and efficiently. Through this interactive initiative, the newly established WIE Iraq Affinity Group continues to drive impactful local engagement under the global motto: INNOVATE. LEAD. INSPIRE., solidifying its commitment to building a digitally secure and empowering future for the next generation of female tech leaders in Iraq

Photo Credit: IEEE WIE Iraq Affinity Group.

In alignment with global professional development initiatives and celebrating the spirit of IEEE WIE Day 2026, the IEEE Women in Engineering (WIE) Iraq Affinity Group successfully conducted an outstanding technical and professional webinar titled “Building a Professional CV with Artificial Intelligence Tools”.

The online session, held on Saturday, July 4th, 2026, via Google Meet, attracted wide participation from students, fresh graduates, and researchers across the region. The webinar was delivered by Dr. Noor Abdalkarem Mohammedali, the Technical & Professional Development Lead of IEEE WIE Iraq, and a prominent Lecturer and 5G Researcher at Al-Mustaqbal University.

The core objective of the webinar was to empower participants with practical skills to leverage cutting-edge AI technologies for personal branding and career growth. Dr. Noor provided a comprehensive roadmap on creating standout CVs, optimizing content using smart digital tools, and maximizing design impact. The event featured practical tips and live demonstrations, and concluded with an interactive Q&A session. This high-impact initiative underscores WIE Iraq’s dedication to equipping its community with the modern technological capabilities required to navigate today’s digital job market confidently.

Official poster for the IEEE WIE Iraq webinar “Building a Professional CV with Artificial Intelligence Tools,” presented by Dr. Noor Abdalkarem Mohammedali. Photo credit: IEEE WIE Iraq Affinity Group.

SBXchange 2026 was a regional Student Branch exchange initiative initiated by the IEEE WIE ISIMM Student Affinity Group, bringing together IEEE Student Branches, Chapters, Affinity Groups, volunteers, and distinguished speakers from across the global IEEE community. With 27+ global collaborators, representatives from 15+ countries, and participation across 4+ IEEE Regions, the event created an international platform for technical learning, leadership development, knowledge exchange, and collaboration.

The program featured a diverse lineup of technical sessions, expert panels, leadership discussions, and collaborative exchange activities, addressing topics including Artificial Intelligence, emerging technologies, sustainability, innovation, and IEEE student leadership.

One introductory session focused on AI accessibility and practical applications, where Haj Amor Sawsen highlighted how AI can support students and professionals in everyday tasks, education, content creation, and productivity. She presented AI as a continuously available learning assistant capable of explaining and summarizing information. Emna Amri complemented this perspective by emphasizing that AI should remain a tool rather than a replacement for human intelligence. She highlighted the importance of understanding AI limitations, particularly hallucinations, and encouraged participants to develop skills through courses, books, and practical experimentation while maintaining critical thinking and human judgment.

The event also featured a major expert panel on the future of technology and its impact on society, moderated by Mohamed Zouari, with distinguished speakers including Dr. Islam Tharwat Abdel Halim, Dr. Sneha Satish Hegde, Mr. Saumodip Das, Prof. Hironori Washizaki, and Dr. Grace Lewis. The panel explored the skills young engineers need beyond technical expertise, emphasizing leadership, communication, critical thinking, and interdisciplinary understanding. Speakers discussed the distinction between science, technology, and engineering, as well as connecting research to real-world challenges, particularly in areas such as energy transition and sustainability. The discussion also highlighted the importance of international collaboration within IEEE.

Another session focused on AI learning and career development. Imen Selmi shared practical resources and learning pathways for participants interested in AI, recommending platforms such as Hugging Face and Google Skills while stressing the importance of mastering AI fundamentals before specializing in areas such as generative and agentic AI.

The session “Many Paths, One Community,” introduced by Sanda Hadj Abdallah, brought together IEEE leaders Andrew Seely, Danielle Delgado, Yuhong Liu, and Yanni Zhong. The panel explored the motivations behind IEEE volunteering and the role of community, representation, mentorship, and leadership. Danielle Delgado highlighted the importance of representation and mentorship, particularly for women in engineering, while Andrew Seely encouraged student leaders to create meaningful opportunities for volunteers and emphasized that making members feel valued is essential to long-term engagement and community growth.

Finally, Dr. Abdullateef Aliyu delivered a leadership-focused presentation on best practices for managing and developing IEEE Student Branches and Affinity Groups. He explained the IEEE MGA structure, shared practical leadership recommendations, and provided feedback on collaborators’ activities, offering participants actionable insights for building stronger and more sustainable IEEE communities.

Overall, SBXchange 2026 strengthened international IEEE collaboration while providing participants with technical knowledge, leadership guidance, mentorship, and practical strategies for creating impact within their communities.

“Building Thriving IEEE Communities”: leadership, engagement, and growth.

When I tell people my thesis is about architecting electricity grids that run on direct current, I usually get a puzzled look. Most of us grew up believing the world runs on alternating current. Yet the future of renewable energy may well be DC, and that is where my research sits.

When engineers do speak of DC grids, they usually mean HVDC, the high voltage links that move bulk power across long distances and connect offshore wind farms to shore, backed by decades of research and industrial deployment. Less often, they mean low voltage DC, which has advanced quickly through DC microgrids, data centres and EV charging. Both extremes are relatively well established. Between them lies medium voltage, which is far less settled, and that gap is where my work lives.

I am a third year PhD researcher at CEA, in the LIRE laboratory at the National Institute for Solar Energy (INES) in France. My thesis, which runs from 2024 to 2027, is part of the DC-Architect project within PEPR TASE, a national programme funded under France 2030 to develop advanced technologies for future energy systems.

My work addresses a deceptively simple question: how should we connect Linear Photovoltaic Systems to the grid? These are long, linear solar installations that run alongside existing corridors such as motorways, railways and canals. At that scale, feeding conventional alternating current networks means repeated AC/DC conversions that waste energy and add cost. My thesis designs a new medium voltage DC (MVDC) architecture for these systems, and studies how to integrate them into the existing medium voltage AC infrastructure. In practice, this means modelling power flows, developing control strategies for power converters, and comparing MVAC and MVDC architectures on both technical and economic grounds.

What draws me to this work is that the field is still being written. The first dedicated study of MVDC collection grids appeared in Germany in 2018, and while the literature has grown noticeably since 2023, it remains thin, and no validated methodology yet exists for designing and operating such grids at scale. The standards, tools and even the vocabulary are not fixed. There is real intellectual freedom in helping to shape something before it settles.

I am also proud to be among the women in IEEE Region 8 working on this problem. When I present my architecture at conferences, I am often one of few women in the room, and I would rather treat that as a reason to contribute than to hold back.

To anyone weighing a research career in energy: the transition needs engineers willing to question how things have always been done. Direct current was once dismissed; today it may have a real part to play in a low carbon world. My hope is that, by the time I defend in 2027, the architecture I am designing might make solar power a little easier to bring to the grid, and that my path could help someone else picture themselves here too.

CEA, Smart Grids Laboratory (LIRE)

My teammate Fatema Al Shamsi (IEEE Member Number: 102142529) and I are proud to share the outstanding success of our project, “Solar-Powered IoT Smart System for Real-Time Detection of Stray Animals on Highways.” Our project achieved four awards across major research, engineering, and innovation events in Oman during April 2026, demonstrating the potential of our proposed solution to address a real-world road safety challenge.
The project was developed to provide a smart and sustainable solution for detecting stray animals near highways and alerting drivers in real time. The system integrates solar power, IoT technology, sensors, GPS, and GSM communication to detect animals approaching or entering highway areas and provide timely warnings to help reduce the risk of accidents.
Our first achievement was receiving Second Place in the 5th Undergraduate Students Research Competition, held as part of the 12th Annual Research Day at Dhofar University on 2 April 2026. The project was recognized among the participating undergraduate research projects for its innovative approach to improving road safety through smart technology.
Our second achievement came at the Students’ Projects Exhibition, held as part of TECHNOFEST-IBRI 2026 at the University of Technology and Applied Sciences – Ibri on 15 April 2026. We achieved First Place and were awarded Best Project in the Electrical Engineering Projects Category.
The third achievement was during IEEE Education Week, organized by the IEEE Student Branch – Shinas at UTAS-Shinas from 12 to 16 April 2026, where our project achieved First Place in the Engineering Projects Exhibition. This recognition was particularly meaningful as it provided us with an opportunity to showcase our engineering innovation within our university community and the IEEE environment.
Our fourth achievement was receiving Third Place in the Poster Competition held as part of Process Engineering Day 2026, organized by the Process Engineering Department at the International Maritime College Oman (IMCO), National University of Science and Technology, on 28 April 2026.
Achieving four awards with the same project within one month was a remarkable experience for us. These achievements allowed us to present our work to different academic and engineering communities and receive valuable feedback from researchers, engineers, academics, and students.
Beyond the awards, this project gave us the opportunity to strengthen our skills in electrical engineering, embedded systems, IoT, sensors, programming, renewable energy, research, technical presentation, and teamwork. Most importantly, it encouraged us to continue developing engineering solutions that address practical challenges in our communities.
We are grateful to our supervisors, university, IEEE community, and everyone who supported us throughout the development and presentation of this project. These achievements have motivated us to further improve the system and explore opportunities to develop it into a more advanced and practical road-safety solution.

Students’ Projects Exhibition during TECHNOFEST-IBRI 2026 at UTAS-Ibri.

WIE ACT 5.0 is the fifth edition of the IEEE Women in Engineering ACT initiative, organized by IEEE WIE ENICarthage Student Branch Affinity Group (SBAG) in collaboration with IEEE WIE Tunisia Section. Scheduled for November 21–22, 2026, in Hammamet, Tunisia, the event aims to bring together students, engineers, researchers, professionals, and technology enthusiasts to explore the transformative potential of emerging technologies in education.

This year’s edition is centered around Education 5.0: Empowering the Future Through AI and Emerging Technologies, with a particular focus on the contribution of Generative AI to education. As artificial intelligence continues to reshape the way knowledge is created, shared, and accessed, WIE ACT 5.0 provides a platform to explore both its opportunities and the challenges associated with its integration into education.

Rather than being limited to traditional talks, WIE ACT 5.0 is designed as an **interactive and immersive experience combining learning, innovation, networking, collaboration, and practical engagement. Through keynote sessions, expert talks, workshops, interactive activities, and challenges, participants will have the opportunity to discover new technologies, exchange perspectives, develop their skills, and explore innovative approaches to the future of learning.

A key objective of the event is to encourage participants to become active creators of technological change. WIE ACT 5.0 seeks to foster critical thinking, creativity, interdisciplinary collaboration, and responsible innovation, while highlighting how AI and emerging technologies can enhance educational experiences, support educators, improve accessibility, and create new opportunities for learners.

As an IEEE Women in Engineering initiative, the event also places strong emphasis on empowering women and young engineers. It aims to provide a supportive environment where participants can develop both technical and non-technical skills, build meaningful professional connections, share their ideas, and strengthen their leadership capabilities. By connecting people from different backgrounds and fields, WIE ACT 5.0 promotes an inclusive culture where diversity becomes a driver of innovation.

Beyond the two-day event itself, WIE ACT 5.0 represents a significant collaborative effort involving teams dedicated to technical activities, media, communication, sponsorship, logistics, and partnerships. This organizational dimension allows IEEE members to gain hands-on experience in leadership, project management, teamwork, communication, and event coordination.

Ultimately, WIE ACT 5.0 seeks to create more than a discussion about artificial intelligence. It aims to build a community capable of understanding, questioning, and shaping the future of education. By bringing together technology, human potential, and the values of Women in Engineering, the fifth edition aspires to inspire participants to transform emerging technologies into meaningful opportunities for a more innovative, inclusive, and empowered future.

The official WIE ACT 5.0 event banner, presenting the Women in Engineering Annual Congress of Tunisia. It combines the identities of IEEE WIE, IEEE Tunisia Section, and ENICarthage with futuristic visuals representing education, engineering, scientific research, programming, data, and emerging technologies. The banner highlights the event dates, 21–22 November 2026. (By Firas Frigui , Media Manager WIE ACT 5.0 )

The IEEE WIE Day Celebration 2026 was successfully conducted at Symbiosis International University Dubai on 7 July 2026 through the event titled “She’s Ethical: Building an Inclusive AI Future.” The event was organized by the IEEE Women in Engineering Student Branch Affinity Group, Symbiosis International University Dubai, in collaboration with ACM-W: ACM Women in Computing, SIU Dubai Chapter. The celebration was held as a Canva Poster Contest / Digital Poster Design Challenge, encouraging students to creatively explore the themes of AI ethics, inclusivity, responsible innovation, and social impact.
The event aimed to inspire participants to think critically about real-world challenges in Artificial Intelligence and propose inclusive, ethical, and impactful solutions through digital poster design. Participants were encouraged to connect technical knowledge with social responsibility by presenting ideas that highlight fairness, accountability, accessibility, and inclusiveness in AI systems. The theme, “Engineering a Fair Future: AI Ethics & Inclusivity,” motivated students to understand how technology can be used responsibly for the benefit of society.
The competition format allowed students to participate individually or in teams of two to three members. At the beginning of the event, participants drew random challenge cards containing AI ethics and inclusivity-based problem statements from different sectors. Using Canva, they designed digital awareness posters that communicated the assigned challenge and proposed suitable ethical AI solutions. The posters were expected to be visually appealing, easy to understand, and socially meaningful, while reflecting the participants’ own creativity and understanding.
The event included registration, welcome address, rules and instructions, random challenge draw, poster design session, team presentations, judges’ deliberation, prize distribution, and closing. The structured schedule ensured that participants had adequate time to understand their challenge, work collaboratively, design their posters, and present their ideas before the judging panel. The event also emphasized professionalism, teamwork, ethical communication, respect for participants, and maintaining an inclusive environment throughout the competition.
The initiative was conducted under the guidance of Dr. Komathi Jeyakaran, Student Branch Counselor. The student organizing team, including Rithika Maheshkumar, Tharika Subramanian, Ananya Sridhar, and Rachit Harjani, contributed significantly to the planning, coordination, and successful execution of the event.
The event provided a meaningful platform for students from schools and universities to express their perspectives on ethical and inclusive AI through creative visual communication. It also strengthened collaboration between IEEE WIE and ACM-W at SIU Dubai, while encouraging student leadership, technical awareness, and socially responsible innovation. The celebration reflected the spirit of IEEE WIE Day by promoting empowerment, inclusion, creativity, and responsible use of technology.
Overall, “She’s Ethical: Building an Inclusive AI Future” was a successful and impactful event that encouraged students to think beyond technology and focus on building AI solutions that are fair, inclusive, ethical, and beneficial for all.

Official poster for the IEEE WIE Day 2026 “She’s Ethical” Canva-based poster challenge.

Winners being felicitated at the close of the poster challenge.

Winners of the “She’s Ethical” Canva-based poster challenge.

Group photo of participants and organizers at the IEEE WIE Day 2026 celebration.

Participants working during the “She’s Ethical” poster challenge.

The IEEE Women in Engineering (WIE) Obafemi Awolowo University Student Branch celebrated IEEE WIE Day 2026 through WIE WEEK 2026, themed “Technology with Purpose: Responsible Innovation for Global Impact,” inspired by the global IEEE WIE Day 2026 theme, “Technology with Purpose: Innovate Responsibly, Inspire Globally, Lead with Integrity.” The activities brought together students, young engineers, secondary school students, and industry professionals to explore how technology can be developed responsibly and applied to address real-world challenges.

The celebration began with a STEM Outreach for female secondary school students. The session introduced students to STEM, challenged common misconceptions about women in engineering, and explored the idea of using technology with purpose. Through interactive conversations, career discussions, and a practical technology demonstration, the students were encouraged to identify problems within their communities and see themselves as future innovators and problem-solvers.

Then, the WIE Week Conference brought together over 250 participants for conversations around responsible innovation, leadership, technology, and global impact. The conference featured keynote sessions, a panel discussion, and a workshop, providing participants with insights from professionals and leaders across engineering and technology. Discussions encouraged participants to consider not only what technology can do, but also why and how it should be built.

The celebration continued with an Industry Visit to Dutum Construction Company, where participants gained practical exposure to engineering applications within a professional environment. The visit provided an opportunity to connect academic knowledge with industry practice and learn more about engineering careers and the workplace.

The week concluded with the WIE Learning Track Finale, held virtually, marking the completion of a technical development programme designed to help participants explore emerging fields through guided learning and practical projects. The tracks covered Robotics and UAV, Artificial Intelligence, Introduction to Quantum Computing, and Engineering Design using CAD. The finale featured project showcases, reflections on the learning journey, and certificate presentations to participants.

Through WIE WEEK 2026, IEEE WIE OAU SB created opportunities for learning, connection, technical development, and mentorship, while reinforcing the importance of building technology responsibly and with meaningful purpose.

Participants during the WIE WEEK 2026 industry visit to Dutum Construction Company. Photo credit: IEEE WIE OAU SB Media Team.

On 6th August 2026, IEEE WIE, in partnership with IEEE TEMS Women in Technology and Engineering Management, hosted a Women in STEM Spotlight session at Fab Lab 303. The session brought our community together for an intimate and inspiring conversation with Dr. Gehad Alkady, IEEE Region 8 Lead and a member of the TEMS Women in Engineering Committee.
The Women in STEM Spotlight series was created to shine a light on the women shaping engineering and technology across our region, giving our members direct access to the leaders whose journeys often go untold. Dr. Alkady’s session was a powerful addition to that mission. As IEEE Region 8 Lead, she brings a wealth of experience navigating leadership across one of IEEE’s most diverse and expansive regions, spanning Europe, the Middle East, and Africa, and her insights reflected the breadth of that experience.
Throughout the session, Dr. Alkady walked attendees through her own path into engineering leadership, candidly discussing the challenges she faced along the way and the mindset shifts that helped her grow into the roles she holds today. Rather than offering polished, abstract advice, she grounded her talk in real, practical lessons: how to advocate for yourself in rooms where you may be the only woman present, how to build the kind of network that sustains a long career, and how to balance ambition with self-care in a field that often demands relentless output.
A significant part of the conversation centered on her work with IEEE TEMS Women in Engineering Committee and what it means to build institutional support systems for women in technology and engineering management. She emphasized that representation is not just about visibility, but about creating structures, mentorship pipelines, committees, and community-driven initiatives, that allow women to move from being present in a room to actually leading it.
Attendees were especially struck by Dr. Alkady’s openness about setbacks. She spoke honestly about moments of self-doubt and the value of resilience, reminding the room that leadership is rarely a straight line. This honesty resonated deeply with students and early-career members in attendance, many of whom are still charting their own paths in engineering.
The session closed with an engaging Q&A, where attendees asked Dr. Alkady everything from how she balances her IEEE leadership responsibilities with her professional career, to advice for young women considering leadership roles within IEEE itself. Her responses were warm, direct, and generous, leaving the room energized and motivated.
We extend our sincere gratitude to Dr. Gehad Alkady for generously sharing her time, wisdom, and journey with our community. Sessions like this one embody exactly what the Women in STEM Spotlight series set out to do: connect our members with real role models, spark meaningful conversations, and remind every woman in the room that leadership in engineering is not only possible, but already happening, led by women like her.

Group photos.

IEEE ICD 2026 brought together more than 350 researchers, industry professionals and students from 28 countries in Southampton, UK, under the theme “Next Generation Sustainable Dielectrics.” Led by General Chair Dr. Istebreq Saeedi and members of the Electrical Power Engineering research Group at the University of Southampton and volunteers from the Tony Davies High Voltage Laboratory. The conference combined a strong technical programme with opportunities for networking, professional development and collaboration. A particular focus was placed on supporting emerging researchers through the Young Professionals Lunch & Panel Discussion and Young Researcher Contest, recognising outstanding contributions through three awards. The conference also featured interdisciplinary discussions on topics including HVDC, dielectric insulation and electrified aircraft. IEEE ICD 2026 highlighted the importance of strong technical leadership, international collaboration and creating opportunities for the next generation of researchers.

Participants at the 2026 IEEE International Conference on Dielectrics (ICD 2026).

On 20 July 2026, the Workshop on Entertainment AI and Interactive Systems was organized at Université d’Évry Paris-Saclay in conjunction with IEEE ARM 2026. As a graduate student at Université Paris-Saclay and a member of the IBISC Laboratory, Wanxin HU served as a main organizer of the workshop.

The workshop brought together researchers, students, and professionals working across artificial intelligence, robotics, human–computer interaction, music technology, and interactive systems. The program featured invited talks, research discussions, networking sessions, and interactive demonstrations, creating opportunities for interdisciplinary exchange between technological and creative communities.

A particular focus of the workshop was on emerging forms of human–machine interaction and AI-enabled creative systems. During the demonstration session, an Intelligent Portable Interactive Piano Mat was also presented, illustrating how interactive sensing technologies can support new approaches to musical interaction and performance.

The event provided a valuable platform for young researchers to engage with experienced academics and explore interdisciplinary research at the intersection of engineering, AI, and the arts.

Wanxin HU, a Chinese graduate student at Université Paris-Saclay and the main organizer of the workshop, pictured in a white dress with invited speakers and participants during the Workshop on Entertainment AI and Interactive Systems at IEEE ARM 2026. Photo credit: IEEE ARM 2026 volunteers.

From 20 to 23 July 2026, I had the opportunity to serve as a volunteer at IEEE ARM 2026 in the Paris region, France. As a graduate student at Université Paris-Saclay and an IEEE Graduate Student Member, I was delighted to contribute to this international IEEE conference and become more actively involved in the IEEE community.

During the four-day conference, I supported the on-site organization and assisted participants and conference activities as part of the volunteer team. This experience gave me the opportunity to meet and interact with researchers, students, professionals, and fellow volunteers from diverse international backgrounds.

As a young researcher working at the intersection of artificial intelligence, human–computer interaction, sensing technologies, and music, volunteering at IEEE ARM 2026 allowed me to experience the international engineering community from a new perspective. Beyond the academic sessions, I gained first-hand experience of the teamwork, coordination, and community engagement behind a large international conference.

This four-day experience strengthened my connection with the IEEE community and encouraged me to continue contributing to IEEE activities. I hope to remain actively involved in IEEE and WIE, connect with more young researchers and women in engineering, and contribute to an inclusive and collaborative international research community.

Wanxin HU (pictured in a purple dress), a Chinese graduate student at Université Paris-Saclay and IEEE Graduate Student Member, with fellow volunteers at IEEE ARM 2026.

As a Computer and Artificial Intelligence student, my journey in technology has been shaped by curiosity, continuous learning, and the desire to make an impact. I have explored different fields, including Software Engineering, Cybersecurity, and Networking, while developing both my technical and personal skills.

Joining IEEE has been a valuable step in this journey. It has allowed me to connect with passionate students, learn from inspiring experiences, and become part of a community that encourages women to grow and take opportunities in engineering and technology.

I believe that being a woman in technology is not only about technical knowledge, but also about confidence, collaboration, and the courage to keep learning. I look forward to continuing my journey, contributing to the IEEE community, and inspiring other young women to pursue their passion for technology.

A memorable moment with inspiring women from the IEEE Sphinx University Student Branch, celebrating teamwork, connection, and a shared passion for engineering and technology. Photo provided by the author.

I am delighted to have completed the Traditional Chinese translation of the full 2025 IEEE Women in Engineering manga story series. The translated stories are now available on the IEEE WIE website (https://wie.ieee.org/publications/manga-story-contest/), helping this engaging educational resource reach Traditional Chinese-speaking readers. Translating manga involves much more than converting words from one language into another. Each story required careful attention to tone, context, character voice, cultural nuance, technical meaning and narrative rhythm. My aim was to retain the accessibility and personality of the original Japanese stories while communicating their engineering ideas clearly and naturally in Traditional Chinese.

The 2025 series comprises eight stories exploring a remarkably varied range of STEM topics. These include design thinking in dental care, assistive robotics, solar energy and sustainability, artificial intelligence and computer vision, computational thinking, data-informed problem-solving, drones and communication technologies, and electronic packaging engineering. Rather than presenting engineering as a collection of abstract technical concepts, the stories introduce these subjects through everyday situations, imaginative challenges and human-centred problem-solving.

One of the qualities I value most about the series is its ability to make engineering ideas accessible, memorable and relevant. The stories demonstrate how analogy and creative storytelling can help readers engage with complex STEM concepts through familiar experiences. They also present engineering not only as a technical discipline, but as a creative and socially meaningful means of solving problems and improving lives.

My own academic background spans electronic and electrical engineering, computing and computer science education, so many of the stories connected closely with my teaching interests. I was particularly pleased to translate Hurray for Electronic Packaging Engineers!, which introduces the engineering that helps protect the technology inside everyday electronic devices. The subject closely relates to an Electronic and Electrical Engineering module that I previously taught.

The translation project has reinforced my belief in the value of combining technical education with visual and narrative approaches. Manga can provide a welcoming entry point into engineering for readers of different ages and backgrounds, while translation can help an educational resource travel across languages and cultures.

I hope these Traditional Chinese editions will enable more readers to enjoy the IEEE WIE manga stories and encourage more young people to imagine themselves participating in engineering, electronics, computing and the wider STEM community.

Traditional Chinese edition of “Hurray for Electronic Packaging Engineers!,” one of eight stories translated for the 2025 IEEE WIE manga series. Image credit: IEEE Women in Engineering.

Traditional Chinese edition of “Riko-chan and the Midnight Drone Rescue,” introducing drones and communication technology through storytelling. Image credit: IEEE Women in Engineering.

From Blackout to Breakthrough: Lighting Up STEM for Rural Community Kids

In the community of Igbo-Ora, Oyo State, Nigeria, a joint initiative between IEEE Computer Society, IEEE Region 8 WIE, and VertSTEM Science Foundation is proving that a lack of access doesn’t have to mean a lack of opportunity.

From Blackout to Breakthrough is a solar-powered Digital Skills Learning Hub built to give underserved, pre-university students, aged 10 to 18, their first hands-on experience with computers, coding, AI literacy, and renewable energy. The project’s mission is bold but simple: bridge the digital divide in energy-deprived rural communities by pairing sustainable infrastructure with real STEM exposure.

Built from the ground up

Since the project proposal was approved in october 2025, the team has moved from concept to functioning hub in under six months. Awareness posters went up in the community, followed by the installation of a solar inverter system with battery storage, Starlink internet connectivity, a projector, computers and STEM kits. Along the way, the team engaged local government officials, briefed community leaders, and recruited local volunteers and proposed mentors.

By July 31st, the hub was fully operational. Letters went out to local school principals inviting their students to register, and within days, the first student, daughter of one of the participating school principals, walked through the doors.

Early results are striking

As of the first two weeks of August, 48 students had registered across five of the ten invited schools for this cohort. Perhaps the most telling statistic: approximately 72% of these students had never used a computer before, not a laptop, desktop, or even a tablet. For most participants, this hub represents a genuine first encounter with technology.

Looking ahead

The project’s annual goals are ambitious: train 300+ students across seven rural communities in basic computing, AI, and digital literacy; onboard at least six female mentors and ten local volunteer facilitators; and engage 35 community schools in STEM outreach. Success will be measured not just in enrollment numbers, but in a targeted 75% increase in STEM interest among participants, tracked through pre- and post-program surveys.

From Blackout to Breakthrough is led by Mistura Muibi-Tijani in partnership with IEEE Computer Society and IEEE Region 8 WIE.

Photo taken by Volunteers of VertSTEM Science Foundation.

On February 17, 2026, the College of Engineering (CEN) at the American University of Sharjah (AUS) officially launched its Women in Engineering (WiE) Society, marking an important milestone in the College’s commitment to supporting the recruitment, retention, progression and professional success of women in engineering.

The Society’s vision is to create an inclusive and empowering engineering community in which women are supported to learn, lead, innovate and succeed. Its mission is to provide a sustainable platform connecting female engineering students, faculty, alumni and industry professionals through mentorship, leadership development, research and innovation, professional networking, outreach and recognition.

The launch brought together more than 100 students, faculty and guests, including members of the University’s senior leadership. The programme introduced the Society’s vision and planned activities and featured a panel discussion, Women in Engineering: Leadership, Research and Impact, bringing together faculty and student voices to reflect on women’s experiences, opportunities and leadership pathways in engineering.

The establishment of the Society is particularly timely, with more than 1,000 female students currently enrolled in the College of Engineering at AUS. The Society aims to support women throughout their engineering journey—from encouraging young women to consider engineering and supporting students through their university education, to developing pathways towards research, industry and leadership.

Its programme includes mentoring initiatives, leadership and professional-development workshops, research and innovation seminars, national and regional engineering competitions, industry and alumni engagement, career-development activities, school outreach, and recognition of outstanding female students and faculty. Initiatives such as the Women Innovator Challenge also provide opportunities for students to address real-world challenges while developing their creativity, teamwork and leadership capabilities.

Dr. Fadi Aloul, Dean of the College of Engineering and Chair of the Society’s Steering Committee, emphasized the importance of providing women with access to mentorship, leadership opportunities and professional networks that support their progression and future success.

Dr. Vian Ahmed, Professor of Industrial Engineering and Chair of the CEN WiE Society, said: “Our ambition is to build a strong and sustainable community for women in engineering. We want to create opportunities for women to connect, develop, lead and inspire others.”

The Society’s mission closely complements the wider aspirations of IEEE Region 8 WIE, particularly in advancing mentorship, leadership, professional development and the participation of women in engineering. Looking ahead, CEN WiE hopes to strengthen engagement with the IEEE WIE community and contribute to opportunities for collaboration, knowledge exchange and shared initiatives across the UAE and Region 8.

The launch of the CEN Women in Engineering Society at the American University of Sharjah brought together more than 100 students, faculty and guests, including members of the University’s senior leadership, to celebrate a new chapter for women in engineering.