After attending the IEEE LATINCOM 2018, in Guadalajara, Mexico, we started a Distinguished Lecturer Tour (DLT) in three amazing countries of Latin America, Uruguay, Chile, and Bolivia, on November 17-23, 2018. Globally, it was a fantastic experience from both the personal and professional perspectives. The hospitality and welcome offered by colleagues from the local IEEE ComSoc Chapters and from the universities I visited was something so special that only can be explained when we feel the warm human vibration of these friendly people. Regarading the professional perspectives, the interest and enthusiasm of the attendees, with rooms full, was an excellent experience for knowledge exchange and great discussions. The main topic of my lectures was the Internet of Things, its challenges and perspectives.
In Uruguay, we visited the University of Montevideo and presented a lecture on November 19. We had an interesting discussion regarding IoT in Smart Cities and related initiatives where the colleagues are interested and participating. We were received by the team from the IEEE ComSoc Uruguay Chapter, Gustavo Giannattasio (Chair), Rafael Sotelo, and Juan Pechiar. On the same day, we traveled to Santiago de Chile.
On the first day in Chile, we were kindly received by Pedro Aguilera, the former Chair and current Vice-Chair of the IEEE ComSoc Chile Chapter. On November 20, we were accompanied by Diego Dujovne (the Chapter Chair), and I was honored to present a keynote at a national event called “Congreso TIC 2018” (ICT Congress 2018) (http://www.congresotic.cl/). This congress was jointly organized by the Universidad Diego Portales (which hosted the event, in Santiago), the Universidad Técnica Federico Santamaría, the Universidad de Concepción, and the Universidad de la Frontera.
The third country of this DLT was Bolivia. We arrived on November 21, in Cochabamba, and was warmly received by the students of the IEEE ComSoc Bolivia Student Chapter, by Sandra Hidalgo (the Chapter Chair) and Eduardo Trigo (Treasurer and Industry Relations). I attended the most important IEEE event organized in Bolivia, BETCON (Bolivian Engineering and Technology Congress), and presented two keynotes, one focusing on IoT and the other addressing eHealth and mobile health technologies. BETCON 2018 (https://www.ucbcba.edu.bo/betcon-2018-ucb/) was organized by the Bolivia Students Chapter from the Universidad Católica Boliviana “San Pablo,” chaired by Marcelo Greby Rojas. Congratulations for this excellent conference organization and scientific program!!! During this visit, I was honored to receive the “Recognition Award” from the Bolivia Chapter.
It was an excellent opportunity to meet extremely friendly and committed colleagues who share the IEEE Communications Society spirit and the passion for ICT technologies in their beautiful and lovely countries. Thank you!