What’s a better way to start the year than diving into the warm camaraderie of European research communities, sharing ideas on IoT and 6G — and yes, maybe sneaking in a few local sweets? My January 2025 IEEE ComSoc Distinguished Lecturer Tour (DLT) took me across Spain and Portugal, and it was as intellectually enriching as it was culturally delightful.

Here’s a quick glimpse into my tour across Region 8 — blending tech talks with tapas, AI with 5G/6G, and connectivity with community.

Salamanca, Spain – IoT in a City of Stone and Scholars

My first stop was the University of Salamanca, the oldest university in Spain, and the third oldest in Europe, located in a city where 800-year-old buildings quietly observe the buzz of cutting-edge research. I delivered the keynote at the EU IoTalentum Workshop, hosted by Prof. Javier Prieto. The meeting started with a welcome remark from the president of the university. My keynote talk, “Use-Inspired IoT Technology Spectrum: From Sensor Connectivity to AI-enabled IoT,” traced the path from the early wireless sensor network to today’s AI-driven smart systems that blur the boundaries of physical, biological, and cyber spaces.

With about 40 participants from all over Europe, the audience’s questions sparked thoughtful dialogue, ranging from federated learning to future visions of 6G-enabled ecosystems. It’s safe to say Salamanca is as serious about technology as it is about tradition.

Madrid, Spain – AI, 6G, and a Workshop to Remember

The next day, I took myself to the capital, where Prof. Ana Garcia Armada and Ms. Lianet Mendez-Monsanto Suarez hosted a workshop on AI for 6G at Universidad Carlos III de Madrid. My talk, “AI-Assisted Network Services over Federated Open Networks in 5G/6G,” focused on how virtualized architectures and open platforms pave the way for smarter, more agile networks.

The event was an intimate gathering of 15–20 local participants, joined by a few virtual attendees thanks to some LinkedIn magic. Several prominent Spanish professors across Spain also contributed to an exciting exchange of ideas on AI, smart city applications, and 6G standardization. It was part talk, part roundtable, and completely inspiring.

Lisbon & Covilhã, Portugal – From Coastal Ideas to Mountain Conversations

On January 16, Prof. Luis Bernardo of the University of Nova in Lisbon warmly welcomed me to Portugal. We shared an informal but insightful research exchange — brainstorming future collaborations right at the Lisbon train station, before I headed off to Covilhã.

The tour’s grand finale came the next day in the charming mountain town of Covilhã, where Prof. Fernando Velez at the University of Beira Interior (UBI) hosted my third lecture. With attendees from UBI and online participants from Lisbon, I revisited the topic of AI-enabled network services over federated platforms. Our post-talk lunch with students and faculty turned into a casual (and delicious) mentoring session, filled with laughs, research ideas, and even challenges and opportunities of career paths.

Reflections — The Real Network is Human

As much as we talked about AI, virtualization, and the future of 6G, what stuck with me most from this tour were the people: the students eager to learn, the faculty members eager to connect, and the hosts who made every moment smooth and memorable.

From the golden stones of Salamanca to the mountain range of Covilhã, this DLT was a journey across regions and minds and passions.

Here’s to a new year of ideas, innovation, and international camaraderie — and maybe, a few more pastries along the way!

Warm thanks to my incredible Salamanca, Madrid, Lisbon, and Covilhã hosts. ¡Gracias! Obrigada!