IEEE Officially Announces the Inaugural Global Engineering the Future Day

PISCATAWAY, New Jersey - IEEE, the world’s largest technical professional society, today announced Global Engineering the Future Day in commemoration of its 125th anniversary this year. IEEE Engineering the Future Day on 13 May 2009, IEEE’s official anniversary date, recognizes the contributions and impact that IEEE, its members and the world’s engineering and technology professionals have made for the benefit of humanity and is designed to raise public awareness of the diverse opportunities in different technology fields.

The IEEE saw the need to increase awareness of technological advancement and its impact due to a global decrease of students entering engineering, computing and technology fields. For example, the number of engineering specialties in Chinese universities has decreased by more than half from 1997 to 2006, according to the Chinese Ministry of Education. In the U.S., although university enrollments are at an all-time high, the number of students in science, technology, engineering and math programs has remained stagnant for the past 25 years. This lack of growth can lead to a shortage of trained professionals in fields that fuel tomorrow’s innovations in healthcare, alternative energy and communications.

Imagine having created a key technological milestone such as the first transmission of intelligible speech over electrical wires, wireless Internet or the world’s first electronic, monochrome-compatible, color television system. Careers in engineering, computing and technology offer the opportunity to develop innovations that may rewrite the history books - from cancer detection and prosthetic development to smart grid systems and energy-efficient devices.

IEEE Engineering the Future Day activities have been planned by IEEE members and student members around the world to honor IEEE’s heritage and focus on ways to advance technology to make the world a better place. Grass roots events are scheduled in nearly two dozen countries including Ecuador, Nigeria, Portugal and Russia. Join the celebration at ieee125.org or use the day to plan an activity that will inspire innovation for another 125 years. Here are some suggestions:

* Starting today through 7 August 2009, participate in the IEEE Engineering Your World Competition, which invites contestants to submit videos of their inventions. To learn more and for participation guidelines visit www.ieee125.org/engineering-your-world. The contest is open to every one.

* Read about 15 student projects that have the potential to change the world or a community for the benefit of humanity and cast your vote for your favorite in the IEEE Presidents’ Change the world competition at www.ieee125.org/change-the-world

* Invite local engineers and technologists to speak to children at local schools and provide hands-on experiments.

* Encourage teachers in your local area to spend a day helping kids learn about technology-related careers. Lesson plans are available on www.tryengineering.org.

* Learning fun facts about computing, technology and engineering by visiting www.ieee125.org .

About IEEE 125th Anniversary

In 2009, IEEE is commemorating 125 years of ingenuity and innovation in engineering and technology with events and activities supporting the anniversary theme “Celebrating 125 Years of Engineering the Future.” The year-long IEEE celebration includes local and global member and customer events; the first IEEE Presidents’ Change the World Competition for students; a global media roundtable and webcast featuring emerging, world-changing technologies; IEEE Engineering the Future Day on 13 May 2009; and much more. For more information on the IEEE 125th Anniversary, visit www.ieee125.org.

About IEEE

The IEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, Inc.) is the world’s largest technical professional society. Through its more than 375,000 members in 160 countries, the organization is a leading authority on a wide variety of areas ranging from aerospace systems, computers and telecommunications to biomedical engineering, electric power and consumer electronics. Dedicated to the advancement of technology, the IEEE publishes 30 percent of the world’s literature in the electrical and electronics engineering and computer science fields, and has developed nearly 900 active industry standards. The organization annually sponsors more than 850 conferences worldwide. Additional information about the IEEE can be found at www.ieee.org.

Source: IEEE

Nissy Atassi of Ruder Finn, +1-312-329-3979 for IEEE; or Francine Tardo of IEEE, +1-732-465-5865