Decoding IEEE Humanitarian Engineering Programs

Speaker: Sampathkumar Veeraraghavan

Sampathkumar Veeraraghavan, Global chair, IEEE Special Interest group on Humanitarian technologies will share a deep dive session on popular IEEE humanitarian and sustainable development programs like SIGHT and EPICS. This talk will present best practices in designing and delivering technology-based Humanitarian programs and relevant opportunities with in IEEE to engage. This session also includes a student panel where members will share their experiences working on humanitarian projects through their IEEE membership. The audience will have the opportunity to ask questions of these speakers.
 

Speaker’s Bio:

Sampathkumar Veeraraghavan, currently serves as the global chairman of the IEEE Special Interest Group on Humanitarian Technology (SIGHT) managing the portfolio of sustainable development programs globally. He is a globally renowned technologist best known for his technological innovations in addressing global humanitarian and sustainable development challenges. He serves as an expert in the Broadband commission working group on school connectivity that is co-chaired by UNESCO, UNICEF and ITU to drive “GIGA’, a Global School Connectivity Initiative. He is the founder and president of the technology-based humanitarian program “The Brahmam”, that aims to deliver next generation social innovations to achieve sustainable development goals and benefit the marginalized communities globally. He received his B.E. degree in Computer Science and Engineering (2005) from Anna University, India, and M.S. degree in Electrical Engineering from Tufts University, USA (2010).

Throughout his career, he spearheaded cutting-edge technology development programs in the areas of Artificial Intelligence, Computer vision, Spoken language technology, Cloud computing, Information systems, Assistive technologies and Sustainable technologies. For over a decade, he delivered technology driven sustainable programs that brought together the engineering communities, non-profit organizations, governmental agencies and disability advocacy groups to improve the living conditions of children with disabilities and impoverished women and students in developing nations.

He is accredited with numerous global awards for his leadership contributions and innovations in leading technology-based humanitarian programs. Most recently, he is the recipient of the 2020 IEEE Theodore W.Hissey Outstanding Young Professional Award “for inspiring leadership, exemplary innovations, and pioneering contributions to addressing global challenges through technology-driven IEEE humanitarian programs."