September 2022

These major milestones reflect that our global programs are truly inspiring members to the fabric of SIGHT and building a community of technologists that have a passion for humanitarian projects and sustainable development. 

At this time, I would like to wish the best to the members that are actively conducting humanitarian programs as a result of our calls for proposals and SIGHT group memberships. I encourage SIGHT groups around the world to continue solving the needs of their communities. We are still accepting nominations for SIGHT Group awards until 14 October 2022. I encourage SIGHT members to apply so we can recognize their efforts and contributions to the communities they serve. 

HAC’s capacity building workshops continue to be a vital component of our  global strategic programs. We  recently conducted a HAC capacity building workshop  at IEEE GHTC conference in Region 6, which was well appreciated by members in attendance. Similarly, we conducted a keynote talk at the recent ARGENCON 2022 in partnership with Region 9 where we developed core programs and capacity building workshops for those in South America. We also conducted a joint workshop with Society on Social Implications of Technology (SSIT) where Dr. Luis Kun  and I emphasized the importance of science and technology in the humanitarian space. There were 100 students from different parts of Latin America in attendance.  

As we enter the last segment of 2022, there are programs and activities that will be provided for our members. In early December, we will be hosting the annual HAC Global Summit and we will be announcing the dates and showcasing programs that will offer the opportunity for our members to connect with our global networks. 

In conclusion, I express my sincere condolences to the family of Amarnath Raja who was the first HAC chair. I have personally worked and traveled with him for 15 years on various projects. His contributions to IEEE and HAC are unparalleled. In 2021, he was a vital member of the disaster management working group and came up with great ideas to leverage technological advances for the benefit of those in need. HAC is proud to recognize his outstanding contributions. Our prayers and sympathies are with his family. 

Stay Safe and Healthy,
Sampathkumar Veeraraghavan 
2021 - 2022 IEEE HAC Chair

Let me also take this opportunity to invite and welcome all those that have not yet joined SIGHT as members to feel free to add SIGHT to your IEEE membership. Membership is free and open to all who want to engage in sustainable development. You will also have the prospects to access and enjoy highly prized benefits such as receiving the monthly HAC/SIGHT newsletter, as well as HAC/SIGHT announcements. Individual members who belong to a SIGHT group may apply for HAC/SIGHT project funding and humanitarian technology-related conference participation support. Members can also network with other SIGHT members with similar interests.

Through this communication, I also wish to remind you of the extension of the SIGHT Awards nomination deadline to 14 October 2022. Kindly ensure that you don’t miss out on this opportunity to be recognized as a SIGHT group or as an individual volunteer for your outstanding contribution to IEEE SIGHT and your local community through your deployment and development of technology for benefiting humanity.

Finally but equally important, I wish to encourage all of us to continue with our noble efforts of developing and deploying the diverse solutions to humanitarian challenges, for sustainable development.

Thank you once again and wishing you the best of luck.

Yours Sincerely, 

Lwanga Herbert

2021 - 2022 IEEE SIGHT Chair

EXTENDED DEADLINE: 2022 IEEE SIGHT Awards

IEEE SIGHT will be accepting nominations for the annual IEEE SIGHT Awards until 14 October, 2022. The IEEE SIGHT Volunteer of the Year and the IEEE SIGHT Group of the Year Awards were established by the IEEE SIGHT Steering Committee (SSC) in 2019 to recognize individuals and SIGHT Groups that have made outstanding contributions to IEEE SIGHT and their local community. See the SIGHT website for more details and instructions on how to submit a nomination or application form. One note to keep in mind is that for the first time this year, there will be two recipients of the SIGHT Group of the Year Award – one Student Branch SIGHT Group and one other type of SIGHT Group.

Honoring the life of the first HAC Chair - Amarnath Raja

Amarnath Raja was the CEO and co-founder of InApp, a software development company based out of Trivandrum, Kerala. He was an alumnus of the IIT-D and was a seasoned technology expert with several years of experience working for IBM Japan, JP Morgan Chase and ‘milma.’ Raja was an active volunteer in IEEE and had, among other things, held the positions of Kerala Section Chair and was the first IEEE Humanitarian Committee Chair. In 2015, he received the prestigious LKW Transnational Award from IEEE, granted for significant contributions to global IEEE humanitarian activities and member engagement, conceptualizing and creating the IEEE Special Interest Group on Humanitarian Technology (SIGHT) program and helping spread it as a channel for engineers working together to bring the benefits of technology to the entire world. HAC is proud to recognize his outstanding contributions. Our prayers and condolences are with his family. 

HAC/SIGHT Webinar: Entrepreneurship in Humanitarian Projects

HAC/SIGHT is hosting a webinar titled Entrepreneurship in Humanitarian Projects where Janati Nakimera will be interviewing Ken Stauffer on 6 September, 2022. The role of a social entrepreneur is to set up an entrepreneurial venture with the intention of addressing social issues and contributing to the social good. In order to achieve this, an entrepreneur must understand the principles of humanity, neutrality, impartiality and independence that are fundamental to humanitarian action. We strongly need to recognize the positive impact of entrepreneurship in the humanitarian space.

EPICS in IEEE Access and Abilities Competition

EPICS (Engineering Projects in Community Service) in IEEE is launching a competition to challenge university students from all over the world to use their engineering skills to help solve accessibility issues within their communities. Proposals should identify an accessibility problem in the local community, and detail how the student team will attempt to solve the problem using engineering and technology skills. Student teams can win US$5,000-US$10,000 to build their prototype or solution! Click here for more information on the competition and how to submit a proposal by 1 November.  

IEEE International Humanitarian Technology Conference

The IEEE International Humanitarian Technology Conference (IHTC) is a Multi-Regional Conference Series rotating between R7 (Canada), R8 (Africa, Europe and Middle East), and R9 (Latin America and Caribbean). This year, IEEE IHTC will be virtual from 02-04 December, 2022. IEEE members (from all IEEE Regions!) are invited to submit a Poster Presentation or Full Paper Presentation (proof of concept and mature results) by 04 September, 2022. Participation Fees: Paper US$150 / Poster US$30/ Attendees: Free

The conference will also host a video competition for IEEE student and young professionals groups: submit a video showcasing your technical activities and projects and win a US$500 prize! Deadline for Video Competition: 31 October 2022. 

For more information contact: [email protected]

HAC/SIGHT PROJECT HIGHLIGHTS

Enhancing Digital Technology in Rural Schools, Uganda

Team: IEEE Members from IEEE Uganda Section 

Project Description: The project team designed, developed, and implemented a plan to provide a rural school with internet connectivity as a way to reduce the disparities between rural and urban children with regards to digital access. In addition to equipping the school with a solar power system and connection to the local grid, they also set up a wireless network to facilitate internet access as schools transitioned to online learning in 2020 and 2021 during the nationwide shutdown of educational institutions.

Impact: The school has benefited from the newly provided internet access and consistent power. Additionally, nine teachers and sixty students were trained in basic information and communication technology (ICT) skills. The teachers who were trained then created an ICT club at the school that has engaged about thirty students by teaching them the basic uses of computers and other applications. 

SIGHT GROUP CORNER

Reminder: SIGHT Group Reporting Using IEEE vTools

Don’t forget to report your SIGHT Group’s Chair and Officers using the IEEE vTools Officer Reporting. SIGHT Group Chairs can enter the Group’s Officers for the positions of Vice-Chair, Treasurer, and Secretary. Group members can also be listed. SIGHT also asks Groups to report their activities and events using vTools, which is taken into consideration throughout the year and when it’s time to determine the SIGHT Group of the Year. Not familiar with vTools? See these tutorials on the different functions. Write to [email protected] with any questions. 

GET INVOLVED WITH IEEE HAC/SIGHT

Important Dates & Upcoming Virtual Events

• 14 October - SIGHT Awards Extended Deadline
  
  
• 15-16 October - IEEE Region 8 Committee Meeting
  
  
• 1 November - EPICS Proposal Submission Deadline
  
  
• 2-3 December - IEEE International Humanitarian Technology Conference

Visit the HAC/SIGHT calendar for more humanitarian technology events and activities (all virtual for now).

Support IEEE SIGHT

Your donation of any amount to the IEEE SIGHT fund of the IEEE Foundation will help form the IEEE sustainable development leaders of the future and incubate projects that support IEEE’s mission of advancing technology for the benefit of humanity in communities around the globe.

HAC/SIGHT Education Resources

See the free HAC/SIGHT resources on the IEEE Learning Network (ILN) and SIGHT website to equip participants with a basic understanding of humanitarian technology and sustainable development topics.

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