PREPARING A WINNING PROJECT FUNDING PROPOSAL
IEEE-DUT Student Branch and Young Professionals South Africa.
Insightful workshop on crafting compelling project funding proposals. Learn from experienced speakers and participate in a dynamic panel discussion and Q&A session
Date and Time
Location
Hosts
Registration
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- 79 Steve Biko Road
- Durban, KwaZulu-Natal
- South Africa 4001
- Building: Steve Biko S Block
- Room Number: BS2405
- Click here for Map
Speakers
Vildana of Founder & CEO (BOLD IT), IEEE R8 SAC HTEC Coordinator
Biography:
Humanitarian Technologies & Entrepreneurship Coordinator in IEEE R8SAC
Vildana is a young entrepreneur with a big experience in Branding and Marketing. Her BOLD IT agency is
focused on quality branding and event organization, as well as providing consulting services for
rebranding.
During her student days at the department of Graphic Engineering and Design at the Faculty of
Technology in Banja Luka, she was an active IEEE Volunteer in her Student Branch where she was
Treasurer and Social Media Manager. Since January 2021, she became part of the R8 SAC as an Outreach
Coordinator and Electronic Communications Coordinator. From 2023-2024, she was the Chair of the
Adhoc on New Initiatives in the IEEE R8SAC.
Currently, she is the Humanitarian Technologies & Entrepreneurship Coordinator in the IEEE R8SAC and
also a Corresponding Member of the IEEE R8 Entrepreneurship Committee.
Vildana (co-)wrote a few conference papers about the concepts of green technologies in the graphic
industries as well as the power of individuals to contribute to society, but she primarily works as a Brand
Designer & Strategist.
As an educator and mentor, she loves to share her knowledge and empower young people to work in IT.
Address:Bosnia & Herzegovina
Dr Ananth of BITS Pilani, Dubai, UAE
Biography:
Dr. Ananth Bharadwaj is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Electrical and Electronics
Engineering at BITS Pilani, Dubai Campus. He holds a Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering from IIT
Ropar, specializing in near-field wireless power charging. His research focuses on developing
advanced wireless power transfer (WPT) solutions for diverse applications, including biomedical
implants, electric drones, portable electronics, and electric vehicles.
Dr. Bharadwaj has an extensive academic and industrial background, having previously served as
an Assistant Professor at Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham, Coimbatore, and worked as a Senior
Antenna Engineer at NuCurrent. His contributions to wireless power technology are well
recognized, with publications in prestigious journals such as IEEE Transactions.
With a strong commitment to bridging theory and practical implementation, Dr. Bharadwaj is
actively pioneering next-generation WPT systems to enhance efficiency and reliability in
emerging technological domains.
Address:United Arab Emirates
Prof Tsoeu of Durban University of Technology
Address:South Africa
Agenda
Programme for the Mini-Workshop
Theme: Writing/Preparing a Good Project Funding Proposal
Date: April 30, 2025
Duration: 1 hour to 1 hour 30 minutes
Format: Presentations, Panel Discussion, and Q&A
1. Welcome and Opening Remarks
- Time: 5 minutes
- Facilitator: Workshop Moderator (e.g., Event Organizer or Host)
- Content:
- Faculty Executive Deans welcome message.
- Brief overview of the workshop objectives.
- Importance of funding proposals in academic, industrial, and IEEE contexts.
- Introduction of the speakers.
2. Speaker Presentations
Time Allocation: ~10 minutes per speaker (Total: 30 minutes)
Speaker 1: Vildana Hrnjić (IEEE R8 SAC HTEC Coordinator, Bosnia and Herzegovina)
- Focus: IEEE & YP funding opportunities.
- Key Points:
- Overview of IEEE funding programs for students and professionals (e.g., YP).
- Tips for crafting compelling proposals tailored to IEEE priorities.
Speaker 2: Prof. Mohohlo Tsoeu (Chief Information Officer, DUT, South Africa)
- Focus: Academic funding proposal preparation strategies.
- Key Points:
- Structuring proposals for academic grants and research funding.
- Common pitfalls and how to avoid them.
Speaker 3: Dr. Ananth Bharadwaj (Assistant Professor, BITS Pilani Dubai, UAE)
- Focus: Industrial funding opportunities and proposal preparation.
- Key Points:
- Approaching industry partners for project funding.
- Aligning proposals with industrial priorities and expectations.
3. Panel Discussion
Time Allocation: ~20 minutes
- Moderator: Workshop Host or Designated Facilitator.
- Panelists: All three speakers (Prof. Mohohlo Tsoeu, Dr. Ananth Bharadwaj, Vildana Hrnjić).
- Discussion Topics:
- Comparative insights into academic, industrial, and IEEE funding processes.
- Challenges faced in proposal writing and how to overcome them.
- Key elements that make a proposal stand out to funders in different contexts.
4. Audience Q&A Session
Time Allocation: ~15 minutes
- Open the floor for questions from attendees to the panelists.
- Encourage specific questions about proposal writing techniques or funding opportunities (especially IEEE & YP).
5. Closing Remarks
Time Allocation: ~5 minutes
- Thank the speakers for their time and insights.
- Recap key takeaways from the session (e.g., importance of clarity, aligning proposals with funder priorities).
- Encourage attendees to follow up with speakers or organizers for further guidance.