IEEE-USA MOVE-Jamaica: In the Making By Bala Prasanna

The University of Technology in Kingston, Jamaica was the site of an exciting, well-planned, well attended two-day workshop on January 17-18, 2024 organized by IEEE with the theme: IEEE Jamaica Section Workshop: Towards Expanding Access to Quality Engineering Science Excellence Opportunities in Jamaica.

Over 200 participants of all ages and with varied educational and professional backgrounds-K-12, college undergrad and graduate students, university professors, industry professionals, government officials – were treated to lectures, presentations, panel discussions, tabletop displays and general socializing with IEEE leaders that included: Sophie Muirhead IEEE Executive Director, Fred Schindler VP Technical Activities, Eric Grigorian and Bala Prasanna Region Directors, IEEE Jamaica section chair and senior lecturer at University of Technology Mr Christopher Udeagha, Marie Hunter, Terence Martinez, Nancy Ostin and Ashley Moore.

The speakers also included University of Technology President Dr Kevin Brown, and The Honourable Fayval Williams Minister of Education and Youth and a representative for the Minister of Science, Jamaica. Under the panel entitled – Get Involved! Successful IEEE Programs You Need to Know About, IEEE-USA MOVE was presented and discussed. Moderated by Region Director Eric Grigorian and presented by Bala Prasanna,

IEEE-USA MOVE’s objectives, accomplishments that encompass disaster relief work, STEM outreach and public visibility campaigns were discussed. Most importantly the idea was conveyed that IEEE-USA MOVE is an all-volunteer driven program helping each community during times of need, and also helping in ordinary times through education outreach efforts thereby making a huge impact; the humanitarian message appealed to participants.

IEEE-USA MOVE banner and several MOVE related swag items were a big attraction too, for the hundreds who stopped by at the table.