The annual IEEE Standards Association (SA) Standards Fellowship Program class met in Bridgewater, NJ, USA, from 8-12 December 2024 alongside the IEEE SA Governance Board Meeting Series.
The 2024 class was the largest since the program’s inception and included the following standards professionals from around the world:
- Avinash Agarwal, Deputy Director General, Standardisation and Convergence & Broadcasting Divisions, Telecommunication Engineering Centre (TEC), India
- Neha Agarwal, Scientist ‘D’/Joint Director, Electrotechnical Department, Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS), India
- Philip Crothers, Senior Policy Officer, International, Trade and National Security Division, Department of Industry, Science and Resources (DISR), Australia
- Jason Kahn, Physical Scientist and Standards Advisor, CHIPS Metrology Program, National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), Department of Commerce, USA
- Lydia Ouedraogo, Special Advisor in charge of International Affairs, Ministry of Digital Transition, Post and Electronic Communications (MDENP), Burkina Faso
- Alexandros Psyrris, Head of Electrotechnical and ICT Standardization Department, National Quality Infrastructure System (NQIS)/Hellenic Organization for Standardization (ELOT), Greece
The 2024 IEEE SA Standards Fellowship Program participants enjoyed an immersive experience at the IEEE SA annual Awards and Recognition ceremony; a formal IEEE SA recognition of outstanding participation across standards development and standards-related work, leadership, and distinguished service. This was a unique opportunity for program participants to meet with the IEEE President, IEEE SA Standards Board members, IEEE SA staff, and volunteers in attendance.
Throughout their visit to IEEE SA, participants heard from IEEE experts on the standards development process and received presentations on current IEEE SA standards efforts and applications.
During the IEEE SA Standards Board committee meetings, they gained a first-hand view into IEEE SA’s open and consensus-based standards development process. The six participants were formally recognized as the 2024 IEEE SA Standards Fellowship Program class at the IEEE SA Standards Board Meeting, where they experienced the full breadth of standards work underway.
Volunteers and staff from the IEEE SA Standards Board community provided information sessions; such as how IEEE SA develops standards and how to adopt IEEE standards as national standards, which generated significant interest.
Not only did IEEE SA Standards Fellowship Program participants formally present their organizations and standards interests to the Board meeting attendees: they also held an interactive roundtable to share experiences with their national standards development process and discuss future needs.
Here’s what the 2024 IEEE SA Standards Fellowship program participants had to say about their experience:
“I gained valuable knowledge about the structure and activities of IEEE SA. I spoke with IEEE SA staff and learned about the e-tools and activities in areas such as learning and certification offered by IEEE SA, including national adoption of IEEE standards.”
– Alexandros Psyrris
“The 2024 IEEE SA Standards Fellowship program provided a unique platform to engage with global experts and understand the intricacies of standardization and conformity assessment. It inspired a strong commitment to collaborate with IEEE SA on developing standards for emerging technologies, enabling the creation of robust, trustworthy, and globally impactful products and services.”
– Avinash Agarwal
“The program gave me valuable insights into how IEEE operates with a flexible and precise system. It also inspired ideas for connecting to emerging technology standards aimed at achieving global solutions, particularly relevant to my work in the grid integration and energy sector.”
– Neha Agarwal
“Technology standards have a big impact on industries worldwide and on social development.”
– Lydia Ouedraogo
“I hoped to learn more about the overall structure of IEEE and IEEE SA in particular and my expectations were exceeded. Not only did I learn those things, but I learned about the standards work within the various practices and how I could apply what I learned in my job.”
– Jason Kahn
“If you are a government expert or policymaker interested in standards and learning how standards can be useful in supporting policy development, then I recommend approaching IEEE SA about their Standards Fellowship program. The IEEE SA Standards Fellowship is tailored to your interests and provides insights into how IEEE SA has developed their range of applicable standards.”
– Philip Crothers
IEEE SA congratulates the 2024 Standards Fellowship Program participants, and looks forward to the 2025 program!
Author: Karen Mulberry, IEEE SA Public Affairs Senior Manager
