IEEE SIGHT Karachi Chapter in collaboration with IEEE Communication Society Karachi Chapter, IEEE ComSoc Mehran University of Engineering and Technology (MUET) Student Branch Chapter, Mehran University Institute of Science, Technology & Development (MUISTD), and QS World Merit organized a one-day workshop on “Engineering for Global Development (EGD) Community Engagement” at MUISTD Auditorium, MUET, Jamshoro, Pakistan on January 13, 2022.
This workshop was funded by IEEE R10 Humanitarian Sustainable Project & Volunteer Training Support Fund. The objective of the EGD Workshop was to develop the skills needed to conduct successful SIGHT projectss. The total number of participants in this workshop was 67 of which 28 were IEEE members and 39 were non-IEEE members. The workshop formally started with the recitation of the Holy Quran and the national anthem of Pakistan. Afterward, Prof. Dr. Arabella Bhutto, Co-Director of MUISTD, welcomed the Vice-Chancellors, Guest Speakers, Coordinators, Organizers, and Participants. The Vice Chancellor of MUET Jamshoro, Prof. Dr. Mohammad Aslam Uqaili, attended the workshop as the Chief Guest and delivered his speech, and appreciated the Speakers for taking time from their very busy schedules to motivate the participants regarding community engagement. The Vice Chancellor of Government College Hyderabad, Prof. Dr. Tayyaba Zarif, also attended this workshop as Guest of Honor.
The first session was delivered by Engr. Hanan Daudpota, and Engr. Murtaza Hanif delivered a talk on IEEE SIGHT, its Benefits, and Guidelines for Preparing a Strong IEEE SIGHT Group Petition. They encouraged the participants to establish an IEEE SIGHT Group at MUET. It was agreed that Dr. Umair Ahmed Korai, Assistant Professor, Department of Telecommunication Engineering, MUET Jamshoro will be the Group’s Advisor at MUET.
The second session was delivered by Engr. Parkash Lohana, Chair IEEE R10 Professional Activities Committee, Associate Professor & HOD (CS) at Usman Institute of Technology, Karachi, and Engr. Moiz Rahman Memon, Broadcast Engineer at Community Health FM Radio, Liaquat University of Medical & Health Sciences, Jamshoro and Treasurer, IEEE Karachi Section, and IEEE Karachi SIGHT Chapter, respectively. In the session, Engr. Parkash conducted the EGD Community Engagement Workshop. Furthermore, Engr. Moiz facilitated activities related to the workshop with the participants.
The next session was delivered by Mr. Ali Akbar, Executive Director of Association of Water, Applied Education and Renewable Energy (AWARE) — an NGO — that has been the implementation partner of IEEE SIGHT Karachi Chapter’s projects in the past. He shared the humanitarian issues of the districts when AWARE operates. He also identified areas where engineers can contribute through humanitarian technology, which can result in changing the lives of the people living in those districts.
Vice Chancellor of GC University Hyderabad, Prof. Dr. Tayyaba Zarif, gave the concluding remarks of the workshop. In her speech, she acknowledged the efforts of guest speakers, organizers, and volunteers. She encouraged the participants to explore IEEE SIGHT in more depth and showed interest in hosting such activity at GC University. At the end, Prof. Dr. Aftab Ahmed Memon, Chairman, Department of Electronic Engineering, gave a vote of thanks to the Chief Guest, Guest of Honor, speakers, event organizers, collaborators, volunteers, and participants, followed by shield and certificate distribution, and lunch.
