IEEE VIC SIGHT

Be the Spark: Empower Communities with VIC SIGHT

In 2024, a historic milestone was achieved with the formation of the IEEE Victorian Section SIGHT (Special Interest Group on Humanitarian Technology), the very first SIGHT group in Australia. As part of the global IEEE SIGHT network, our mission is clear: harness the power of technology for enhancing the community. We are guided by the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), especially those related to quality education, good health and well-being and reduced inequalities.

In a rapidly advancing digital world, access to technology should not be a privilege, it should be a fundamental right. At IEEE VIC SIGHT, we are turning this belief into action by developing inclusive, community-driven technical solutions that ensure no one is left behind, regardless of location, ability, or background.

A Virtual Leap Forward: Empowering the Next Generation through HSWEP

In an era defined by rapid technological transformation, preparing the next generation for careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) has never been more critical. High School Work Experience Program (HSWEP) is a flagship effort by IEEE VIC SIGHT designed to open doors to STEM futures for students in Years 10–12, no matter where they live.

HSWEP is an innovative, interactive, and fully virtual platform that offers secondary students meaningful exposure to real-world STEM work experience. For students in regional and remote Australia, who often face barriers to traditional work experience opportunities, HSWEP bridges the gap with accessible, flexible, and engaging learning experiences.

Key features of HSWEP include:

• Live virtual interactions with STEM professionals from a range of industries and research fields
• Immersive insights into diverse STEM workplaces and career pathways
• Hands-on virtual projects and collaborative learning sessions
• Certificates of participation to recognise students’ efforts
• Custom scheduling to suit individual school needs
• Support services to help overcome internet or device access limitations

This initiative comes at a time when Australia is facing a critical engineering and STEM skills shortage. In a recent media release (28 March 2025), Engineers Australia CEO Romilly Madew AO stated:

“the nation’s engineering capability is facing workforce challenges, and government holds the keys to doing so much more in areas such as education to attract Australians currently deterred by significant barriers to entry.”

“But just 16 per cent of qualified engineers and 19 per cent of engineering graduates in Australia are women. More needs to be done to dismantle the barriers that exist and encourage more people into the profession.”

By nurturing interest in STEM from a young age and providing equitable access to opportunity regardless of geography, HSWEP is more than just a virtual experience; it’s a leap toward a smarter, more inclusive, and future-ready Australia.

Empowering the Movement Disorders Community through Assistive Technology

Beyond education, IEEE VIC SIGHT is also exploring cutting-edge humanitarian tech solutions. One of our upcoming pilot projects, “Empowering the Movement Disorder Community through Assistive Tech,” is designed to support Australians living with conditions like Ataxia, Motor neurone disease, Dystonia, Parkinson’s, many of whom experience communication barriers despite preserved cognition.

By leveraging affordable and assistive technologies participants will be able to:

• Type words or select predefined phrases using brain activity and eye blinks
• Convert selected phrases into speech through text-to-speech output

These capabilities will lead to:

• Improved communication ability, leading to greater social participation and reduced isolation
• Increased confidence and independence
• Development of micro-skills that can enable participants to pursue remote work opportunities
• Enhanced inclusion in the digital economy and modern workforce

Get Involved – Join the VIC SIGHT Community

Whether you’re passionate about education outreach, assistive tech, sustainability, or AI for good, we welcome your voice, your ideas, and your drive. Let’s build a future where technology leaves no one behind.

📩 To get involved, please contact: [email protected]

On behalf of the Victorian Section SIGHT team:

Chair, Dr. Susmita Saha