The 2023-24 IEEE Humanitarian Technologies Board Chair looks back fondly on the EPICS in IEEE projects he took part in and the impactful role the EPICS in IEEE program will continue to play in the future
Charged with overseeing all humanitarian activities across IEEE’s groups, regions, and societies, fostering new collaborations, and funding related projects and initiatives, IEEE’s Humanitarian Technologies Board (HTB) works closely with EPICS in IEEE, which empowers students worldwide to apply technical solutions to address challenges in their local communities. And perhaps there’s no one better to help support the mission and ideals of EPICS in IEEE than 2023-24 IEEE Humanitarian Technologies Board Chair Lwanga Herbert, who himself participated in numerous EPICS in IEEE projects as a university student in his native Uganda and as an IEEE Volunteer Leader.
In the following interview, Herbert reflects on his personal experiences as an EPICS in IEEE project participant and his hope for the continued growth and success of the EPICS in IEEE program.
Please share a bit about the several EPICS in IEEE projects you took part in years ago.
Herbert: Our project entitled “Kyambogo University and Agha Khan High School Poverty Reduction and Environmental Conservation” enabled university and high school students to design and fabricate solar charging solutions to help boost quality of life, economic prosperity, and sustainability within Ugandan communities experiencing an unstable power supply. Our project entitled “Installation of Lightning Arrestors at Kiswa Primary and Kyambogo Primary School” aimed to reduce the rate of lightning-related deaths and injuries among Ugandan students and community members through the installation of lightning arrestor technology. And our project entitled “Setting Up a Computer Lab to Support Disadvantaged Students at Kalinabiri and Surrounding Communities” sought to establish a functional computer lab to help young learners from low-income and disadvantaged Ugandan communities to access, learn, and appreciate the fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics as early as possible.
What were the intended impacts and results of these projects?
Herbert: We hoped to help university students use their engineering skills to solve real-world challenges within communities and to inspire high school students to develop a strong interest in careers in engineering and technology, and many of these goals were indeed achieved. Membership within the IEEE Uganda section grew, many students from the participating high schools ended up choosing engineering and technology as their field of study, and university students learned how to relate their classroom knowledge to the development of practical solutions for solving community-based challenges. Communities where our projects were implemented benefited from the engineering and technology-driven solutions and participating teachers learned how to incorporate more practical and problem-solving approaches in their teaching methods rather than just focusing on problem identification. Some of the teachers who participated in the projects even ended up becoming active IEEE members playing key leadership roles.
Are any of the solutions you and your teams developed still in use today?
Herbert: Absolutely! For example, the functional computer laboratory at Karinabiri Primary School is still in place and provides educational programs and activities to both young learners at the school and community members. The lightning arrestor systems installed at both the Kiswa and Kyambogo University primary schools continue to protect the schools’ students and teachers from death and injury. And the solar charger technology we designed was transferred to the community for their ongoing use.
What did you learn from your involvement in EPICS in IEEE projects and how did it impact your career as an engineer?
Herbert: My participation in EPICS projects instilled in me many global organizational values that continue to inform all of the roles and responsibilities I’ve undertaken in my career. Among these values, humanity is an overriding driver in whatever I do, and I see teamwork and mutual support as critical factors for both team- and self-advancement. Thanks to EPICS in IEEE, I also strive to uphold the multicultural aspect of teams to promote their growth and development, and I understand and appreciate the impact of today’s actions on future generations. My membership in IEEE additionally helped me cultivate a passion for volunteering, which led me to pursue numerous volunteer positions and, ultimately, my current role as IEEE Humanitarian Technologies Board Chair.
How do you feel about EPICS in IEEE being one of 6 featured programs under the HTB?
Herbert: The HTB is at the forefront of a diverse consortium of humanitarian and philanthropic programs that provide ample opportunities for IEEE members and volunteers to advance technology to solve local and global challenges. In that sense, EPICS in IEEE is perfectly in sync with the HTB in that it empowers students worldwide to work with technical professionals and community members to enhance their practical engineering skills and knowledge through service-learning experiences while at the same time supporting student-led humanitarian projects.
What benefits does EPICS in IEEE offer both students and IEEE members?
Herbert: Participants will learn how to connect and collaborate with communities and channel their engineering skills to solving real-life, community-based challenges. They’ll also gain valuable team-building skills, enjoy professional networking opportunities, and acquire and develop a stronger spirit of volunteerism.
Finally, what’s your hope for EPICS in IEEE in the future?
Herbert: Looking ahead, I see EPICS in IEEE providing greater support to even more students around the world to help them apply their engineering skills to the development of tangible solutions that address existing global, humanitarian issues. In doing so, EPICS in IEEE will continue to play a pivotal role in bridging engineering and societal challenges. Promoting humanity is critical in today’s world, and the work that EPICS in IEEE is doing to help upcoming generations put humanity first will make the world a better place.
For More Information
For more information on EPICS in IEEE or the opportunity to participate in service-learning projects, visit https://epics.ieee.org/. For more information on IEEE’s Humanitarian Technologies Board, visit https://htb.ieee.org/.
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