A delegation of the executive body of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) has paid a visit to the Pro Vice Chancellor, Professor Samuel Nii Odai. IEEE is an international organization and the world’s largest professional society of engineers with 430,000 members in over 160 countries. The organization supports engineers and other applied technologists in their work to improve the quality of life and build prosperity through technological innovation.

Dr. Peter W. Staecker, President and CEO of IEEE, in his speech during the visit, said the key goal of the organization was to strengthen, support and advance the engineering ecosystem in Africa. He mentioned that the IEEE sponsored or co-sponsored approximately 1300 conferences across the world each year. He explained that the organization was one of the world’s largest developers of standards with over 900 standards in its catalogue and it provided educational resources to technologists throughout their career.

He added that the IEEE had increased the breadth of some ongoing projects and initiated pilot projects in Kenya, Malawi, Nigeria and Zambia. They had also begun a partnership with UNESCO and several other organizations to develop joint projects on engineering education in Africa. He concluded that the trip would include a visit to Kenya and Tanzania.

Dr. Kwame Osei Boateng, the Head of Department for Computer Engineering KNUST, and also a member of IEEE added that the organization published journals and magazines which were available electronically to technologist around the world. Each month about 8 million articles were downloaded from the IEEE electronic library. He concluded that the IEEE served as a voice for the profession, explaining the importance of technology and technologists to governments, thought leaders and the general public throughout the world.

The Pro Vice Chancellor, Professor Samuel Nii Odai congratulated the delegation for their initiative and urged them to work towards becoming an international brand and not just a group. He went on to add that the IEEE should help convince and bring on board academicians from other professional fields like Civil Engineering and other disciplines.

 Among the delegation were Dr. John Rajan, Chairman of IEEE Ghana Section and Mr. Isaac Kweku Boakye, the Treasurer Ghana Section.