Chinmoy Saha, Goutam Chattopadhyay
Over the past few decades, megahertz to terahertz technologies have witnessed unprecedented advances, and in the coming years, demand for higher-frequency systems is expected to grow further. However, we all know that the technologies that survive the test of time are those that best serve mankind. We at the IEEE Microwave Theory and Technology Society (MTT-S) do exactly that: develop microwave technologies for the benefit of humanity.
To promote awareness among the general population about the microwave communities’ human-centric approach to technological advances, the MTT-S and IEEE Antennas and Propagation Society (AP-S) jointly conducted two highly successful Special Interest Group on Humanitarian Technology (SIGHT) workshops at the first edition of the MTT-S/AP-S-sponsored IEEE Microwave, Antennas, and Propagation Conference (MAPCON), in Bangalore, India, in December 2022, and at the first edition of the MTT-S/AP-S IEEE International Microwave and Antennas Symposium (IMAS), in Cairo, Egypt, in February 2023.
The MTT-S and AP-S SIGHT committees jointly conducted a one-day SIGHT workshop at MAPCON 2022, on 12 December 2022, detailing the humanitarian work the MTT-S and AP-S communities are doing by using technology as a tool for the betterment of the human condition (Figure 1).
Figure 1. (a) The SIGHT workshop during MAPCON 2022. (b) School students and staff attending the event pose with the conference leadership and workshop organizers.
The workshop attendees were welcomed by the MAPCON 2022 general cochair, Puneet Kumar. Dr. Chinmoy Saha (MTT-S Region-10 coordinator), Dr. Ajay Poddar [AP-S Chapter Activities Committee (CAC) chair], Dr. Goutam Chattopadhyay (MTT-S Member and Geographic Activities chair), Dr. Jawad Siddiqui (AP-S SIGHT chair), and Prof. Weng C. Chew [AP-S Committee on Promoting Equality (COPE) chair] also addressed the gathering and discussed the various initiatives, scope, and opportunities of MTT-S and AP-S SIGHT activities, which are different programs under AP-S COPE, and the deployment of different SIGHT-related projects around the globe.
After the lunch break, Narayan Subramanian (chief technology officer, AI for Sustainability) delivered a keynote lecture, “Industry 4.0/5.0 Sustainability and Carbon Emissions Reduction Using Satellite-Based Sensor Networks,” where he discussed the importance of sustainable technological development, carbon emission mitigation, and the deployment of satellite-based sensor networks for achieving those goals. M.N. Prakash (headmaster of a Kannada medium rural high school) discussed the activities at his school, with the help of the COPE initiative, and how the direct engagement of students in such programs made a huge impact on the overall school environment. This was followed by an interactive forum where students and SIGHT volunteers discussed different aspects of the SIGHT and COPE programs. Dr. Saha then highlighted two successful implementations of smart classrooms: the first at a government upper primary school in Ponmudi, India, and the second at Asannagar High School, Nadia, India; both were funded under the COPE initiative.
MTT-S and AP-S souvenirs were distributed to the school children and other participants. Finally, the event came to a close with concluding remarks by Dr. Mrinal Kanti Mandal (MAPCON 2022 general cochair). The event was attended by more than 85 school students, undergraduate and graduate students, research scholars, young professionals, and industrial/academic professionals from all over the world (Figure 2).
Figure 2. (a) The SIGHT workshop in Bangalore. (b) MAPCON 2023 participants attending the SIGHT workshop.
The MTT-S and AP-S SIGHT committees jointly conducted a panel discussion, “Using Technology for Benefit of Humanity: Opportunities, Ideas, and Challenges,” as a part of a “Microwaves for Humanities” workshop on 8 February 2023, during IMAS 2023, in Cairo.
The panelists for the event were Dr. Rashaunda Henderson (2022 MTT-S president), Prof. Stefano Maci (2023 AP-S president), Dr. Chattopadhyay, Prof. Ahmed Kishk (Concordia University, Montréal, QC, Canada and AP-S past president), and Dr. Saha (Figure 3).
Figure 3. The SIGHT workshop in Cairo: (a) Dr. Chattopadhyay makes his presentation, (b) Dr. Saha delivers his speech, and (c) the panel discussion proceeds.
Dr. Henderson talked about various opportunities available in the MTT-S, including different scholarships for undergraduate and graduate students to carry out research in the diverse area of microwave technologies. She emphasized some of the MTT-S initiatives focused on the African continent. Prof. Maci elaborated on various AP-S SIGHT and CAC initiatives and plans for membership expansion; the significance of diversity and inclusion for the AP-S community at large; the importance of conferences, such as MAPCON and IMAS, for diversity; and various scholarships provided by the AP-S to aid motivated student researchers around the globe. Prof. Kishk briefed the attendees about the educational initiatives undertaken by the AP-S and the importance of encouraging inter-Society activities for students and professionals.
Dr. Chattopadhyay discussed MTT-S SIGHT initiatives, recent activities, and future plans as well as a detailed plan to expand various activities at future MAPCON and IMAS events (Figure 4). He also gave insights into the IEEE Mobile Outreach Using Volunteer Engagement (MOVE) community outreach program, which provides emergency relief to victims of natural disasters through technological solutions. These include services such as phone charging, Internet and communications support, and lighting. Dr. Saha read a message from Prof. Yahia Antar, 2022 AP-S president. He also made a comprehensive presentation about AP-S SIGHT activates of the past few years. He elaborated on a smart classroom initiative undertaken at a government upper primary school and future plans to set up more such classrooms under MTT-S and AP-S SIGHT programs. The participants, who were primarily from African nations, were enthusiastic about this program and encouraged MTT-S and AP-S leadership to take up such initiatives on the African continent. Dr. Saha, along with Dr. Yasmine Zaghloul, German International University, Cairo, who moderated the event, presented details of Women in Engineering and Women in Microwaves initiatives and Region 10 and Region 8 activities and urged the attendees to explore the possibilities of opening new MTT-S and AP-S Chapters in those areas.
Figure 4. Cairo SIGHT session attendees pose for a group photo.
The event was also attended by IMAS 2023 Conference Cochairs Prof. Ayman El-Tager and Prof. Hany Hammad. The panel moderator, Dr. Zaghloul, concluded the event with some closing remarks. The participants enjoyed the engaging and interactive session (Figure 5). The highly successful event was attended by more than 100 participants from all around the globe, although the majority were from the African continent, and that was the prime motivation for this event.
Figure 5. A moment is captured during the conference dinner at IMAS 2023.
Digital Object Identifier 10.1109/MMM.2023.3277401