Since then, we have created a special committee that will handle the integration process and iron out all the details. We will also collaborate with the IEEE Foundation and other stakeholders to draft a plan and propose the necessary modifications to our HTB Operations Manual for the IEEE Board of Directors to approve in November. This is a wonderful opportunity for us to join forces with a fantastic program like MOVE and make a positive impact in the world.

In other exciting news, I am happy to share that I was inducted as an IEEE-HKN professional member at the IEEE Board of Directors June meeting series earlier this month. IEEE-HKN members consist of students, alumni, and other professionals who have demonstrated exceptional academic and professional accomplishments. I pledged, along with every HKN member, to “live up to… in word and in deed…the principles for which IEEE-Eta Kappa Nu stands.” HKN members are highly motivated, socially conscious lifelong learners and servant leaders committed to using their skills to make an impact locally and globally, and I am truly honored to join this community.

While attending the Board of Directors meeting series, I met with a number of IEEE leaders to share HTB’s achievements this year and discuss plans for the future. It is always encouraging to learn of the overall support for HTB’s vision and work, and the interest in engaging with HTB. 

It is always exciting for me to connect with Section leaders and hear their excitement to get involved with what HTB does and work on joint programs to benefit their members. I’ve also been talking with Regions 4, 6, and 8 to identify programs where HTB can invest to amplify impact for members interested in humanitarian technology and sustainable development activities there, so stay tuned!

HTB Partnerships has also been working on developing collaborations and pilot programs with IEEE Women in Engineering and IEEE Eta-Kappa-Nu (IEEE-HKN). As the 2023 IEEE-HKN President, it was an amazing experience for me to preside over Lwanga’s induction as a professional HKN member, just one small way of many options for HKN and HTB to collaborate. Another area of focus is the IEEE HTB/SIGHT Taenzer program, established thanks to a bequest from the Estate of Jon C. Taenzer, that focuses on breakthroughs in aids for persons with disabilities or supporting engineers in low-resource countries. This team will be identifying the top project proposals that could qualify for the program and hosting a webinar series to show SIGHT members the importance of developing assistive technologies relevant to challenges faced by their local communities of persons with disabilities.

As Lwanga mentioned in his note, HTB has accepted IEEE MOVE Community Outreach as one of its programs - we’re thrilled about this development and the exciting opportunity to work more closely with a fantastic program like MOVE. And at the IEEE Board of Directors June meeting series held just a short time ago, I heard from many IEEE leaders about their interest in partnering with HTB and ensuring that IEEE members have easy ways to get involved in our programs. I look forward to continuing our work in the coming weeks and months to advance these ideas into collaborations for members everywhere.

Kind Regards,

Sampathkumar Veeraraghavan 

2023 IEEE Humanitarian Technologies Board Immediate Past Chair

The goal of AI for Good is to identify practical applications of AI to accelerate progress towards the SDGs and connect AI innovators with public and private-sector decision-makers to help scale up AI solutions globally. Responding to recent advances in generative AI, the Summit will also host crucial discussions on the guardrails needed for safe and responsible AI and the development of potential global AI governance frameworks. The event is free for all to attend in person and online.

The HTB Ad Hoc Committee on SIGHT Best Practices is cooperating with a number of IEEE organizational units and SIGHT Groups to organize a series of lectures on best practices relevant to engagement with local communities. All are invited to register and participate, and attendees may request a certificate of participation after each webinar.

Upcoming Lectures

• 06 July - "The Impact of Energy Efficiency on Low Resource Environments” with Dr. Hanan M. Albuflasa

Past Lectures (link to recordings via the SIGHT website)

• “Co-designing Ethical Interventions in Resource Constrained Environments” with Ms. Miriam Cunningham
• “Avoiding a Graveyard of Solar Panels: How to make Solar Electric Systems Sustainable” with Dr. Pritpal Singh 
• “Good Practices From Robotics For Equality And Democracy Project Tunisia” with Dr. Nizar Rokbani
• "Empowering Women for Sustainable Climate Resilience" with Mr. Parkash Lohana

IEEE Smart Village’s (ISV) mission is to sustainably improve livelihoods through enterprise, education and the productive use of sustainable energy and technology. Volunteers who seek challenges in management, IEEE technologies, and cross-disciplinary leadership may sign up to serve with ISV. Or, you can sign up to receive the ISV monthly newsletters. You can also learn more about ISV’s work at its upcoming webinar for World Youth Skills Day on 15 July - “Skilling Up Youths for the Digital Economy.” The webinar will showcase ISV’s global impact in equipping young people with skills in technical and vocational training for employment, decent work, and entrepreneurship.

Many of the projects that IEEE HTB/SIGHT fund involve solar-powered microgrids. Those conducting projects, planning to apply for funding, or interested in this area may explore the new eLearning path, IEEE Academy on Smart Grid Microgrids. In this online training, participants will learn more about the latest trends, technologies, and solutions for microgrids along with other major components.

Become a SIGHT Member - Add SIGHT to your IEEE Membership; it’s free and open to non-members as well. Benefits include the monthly newsletter, first notice of funding opportunities, and increased connectivity with the committees, staff, and volunteer network.

Join a SIGHT Group  - SIGHT Groups around the globe partner with communities and local organizations to work together on sustainable development projects - find your closest group! If a SIGHT Group does not exist in your area, see the SIGHT Toolkit for how to form a new one. 

Donate to IEEE SIGHT -  Your donation of any amount to the IEEE SIGHT fund of the IEEE Foundation helps 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.

Many humanitarian technology programs at IEEE rely on donations to deliver impact. See how you can support them through the IEEE Foundation, the philanthropic partner of IEEE.

Important Dates & Upcoming Events

• 03 - 05 July - HTB will present at the IEEE Latin American Electron Devices Conference (LAEDC) in Puebla Mexico
• 06 July - SIGHT Best Practices webinar, "The Impact of Energy Efficiency on Low Resource Environments” with Dr. Hanan M. Albuflasa
• 27 - 29 July - HTB will present at the IEEE Africa Students and Young Professional Congress 2023 (ASYP 2023)
• 11 - 13 August - HTB and SIGHT will present at IEEE Sections Congress
• 25 - 27 August - HTB will present at the IEEE Region 8 North Africa Student and Young Professional Congress 2023
• 13 - 15 September - HTB will present at the IEEE International Symposium on Technology and Society (ISTAS23)
• 20 - 22 September - HTB will present at IEEE Africon 2023
• 3 October - IEEE Day

Visit the HTB/SIGHT calendar for more humanitarian technology events and activities.