IEEE’s role in the education of engineers and technologists, and its devotion to knowledge-sharing as a trusted source across our fields, has been part of our organization from its creation. The effects are so pervasive that goals for degreed education and ideals of professional responsibility stemming from IEEE (or its historic predecessors AIEE and IRE) have shaped the knowledge and perspectives of most engineers and degreed computing professionals. IEEE is a mostly unsung world leader to the public because these contributions often go unnoticed.
To support IEEE’s continued role in education as a positive force for advancing technology, we must ensure that our efforts are more widely recognized as we fulfill our mission and expand our value in engineering and technology across the globe.
Strategic initiatives are a catalyst to prioritize our shared goal of better education for engineers and technologists and can be achieved by promoting collaboration and excellence across the organization.
Advancing One IEEE for Education enables us to leverage our collective strengths. As part of this, I have created a committee whose focus is to map and strengthen IEEE’s collective future by developing a One IEEE strategy to empower technical innovation through education.
Fostering education is a primary purpose for our organization, which is a public charity. IEEE’s focus on professional development and commitment to providing opportunities for lifelong learning, from preuniversity, university, and graduate students to professionals across our fields of interest is crucial not only for members but also the broader IEEE mission of advancing technology education and ensuring workforce readiness around the globe.
A primer on IEEE educational programs
Education is the pathway to becoming an engineer or technologist. It is, perhaps because of this, that education is an almost universal value across IEEE, one that drives activities throughout our technical communities.
The IEEE Educational Activities Board is dedicated to offering valuable programs to the engineering community and the public. There are educational offerings and activities from all our 47 technical societies and councils including, of course, the IEEE Education Society. There are thousands of conferences, webinars, and seminars; dedicated collaborations for local sections and regional approaches; and education for those involved in creating our trusted publications, standards, and public policy.
IEEE’s student and academic education programs include both university and preuniversity initiatives. Together, these provide support for IEEE members who work to inspire the next generation of engineers and technologists.
Among its university programs, Educational Activities supports EPICS in IEEE, a service-learning program; IEEE–Eta Kappa Nu (IEEE-HKN), the honor society promoting scholarship, character, and attitude for undergraduates, graduate students and professionals; and IEEE’s significant accreditation activities collaboratively as part of ABET, which contributes heavily as a major force for engineering and technical program accreditation worldwide.
IEEE’s TryEngineering umbrella of programs focuses on precollege students and the adults who work with them, with the goal of increasing awareness of engineering and ensuring any student can see that they too could have a future in our professions. TryEngineering has developed strong collaborations with IEEE societies to provide opportunities for school-age children to learn about engineering technologies and career potential in those areas. The world benefits as more young people are empowered through IEEE efforts to see themselves as future innovators in engineering and computing.
The IEEE TryEngineering Summer Institute provides camp-type experiences at select U.S. universities. I am proud to share that one of the most successful locations is held where I’m a professor: the University of San Diego. The program was expanded internationally with TryEngineering On Campus pilot programs held in Hong Kong and Arta, Greece.
The IEEE Computer Society Juniors Program introduces preuniversity students to computing fundamentals through engaging, age-appropriate content and hands-on learning. Developed to align with TryEngineering, the program aims to inspire interest in computer science early on and support the global STEM talent pipeline.
IEEE’s commitment to accreditation activities is critical to the development and success of future professionals. As a representative and advocate for the engineering and computer-science professions for ABET, IEEE has a strong, continued interest in sustaining and improving engineering and computing programs worldwide, and the programs in IEEE lead fields, including electrical, electronic, computer, and communications engineering, are the most numerous.
The involvement of IEEE volunteers as ABET delegates, commissioners, and program evaluators ensures that the next generation of engineers who graduate from accredited programs will be prepared to handle the challenges facing IEEE’s fields of interest, including the creation of new program criteria in robotics and mechatronics.
Practical professional development
The IEEE Learning Network gathers education offerings from across IEEE, allowing learners who are professionals to advance or expand their specific technical expertise. Some of the new e-learning course programs recently launched include those produced in partnership with the IEEE Standards Association, the IEEE Computer Society, IEEE Future Directions, and IEEE Global Semiconductors.
The IEEE Blended Learning Program combines e-learning techniques with hands-on practice, designed to empower engineers with short lessons in tech to become future-ready.
Designing your future
IEEE’s greatest opportunities for engagement and its advantage are the ability to offer individuals numerous avenues to contribute, collaborate, and advance both their professional careers and the broader field of technology. For our members, IEEE provides opportunities to engage, showcase their work, and grow professionally.
Members thrive through the connections IEEE can facilitate. IEEE provides a professional home at every career stage, even pre-career, connecting you with a world of possibilities. This requires active effort and engagement, where membership is just one step. It is up to everyone to take charge of their own professional development and to look for ways to help others succeed too. The best opportunities lie in how each of us actively participates in shaping our career journey.
—Kathleen Kramer
IEEE president and CEO
Please share your thoughts with me: president@ieee.org.
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