Energize Your Journey: Why PES Matters

#IEEE_IAS_IES_PES_ESPRIT_SBJC #IEEE_PES_SouthEastern_Kenya_University-SBC #PES #engineering #technology #benefits #awards

This online workshop, organized by IEEE IAS/IES/PES ESPRIT Student Branch Joint Chapter in collaboration with IEEE PES South Eastern Kenya University Student Branch Chapter, aimed to introduce students to the impact and opportunities offered by the IEEE Power & Energy Society (PES).

The session featured Mr. Mohamed Sief, Electrical Power Engineer at the Egyptian Electricity Transmission Company and an IEEE volunteer since 2009. With extensive experience across IEEE PES, Smart Grid committees, and regional membership development, Mr. Sief has contributed to major IEEE initiatives and founded IEEE Egypt SIGHT, leading the humanitarian project “Enta Mnawar” which delivers off-grid photovoltaic systems to underserved communities.

He highlighted that PES is the Second Largest Technical Society in the IEEE with it being involved in various activities across its structure, including chapters, technical committees (such as Transmission and Distribution, and Nuclear Power Engineering), and educational initiatives like the IEEE PES University. A key resource is the IEEE PES Resource Center, an extensive online library for power and energy industry content. He also mentioned that for student chapters, PES offers the High Performing Student Branch Chapter Program (HPSBCP), which awards Outstanding Chapters up to $1000 annually, with general funding ranging from $150 to $1000 based on a total score that considers activities like pre-university engagement, educational events, and interaction with other IEEE units. Additionally, the society provides three funding opportunities for Young Professionals (YP) events: Meet-Up Funding (Max: $1500), Local Activity Funding (Max: $750), and Student Transition and Elevation (STEP) event funding (Max: $500). He ended the session by emphasizing how PES provides member recognition for important technical, educational and service contributions and recipients get recognized at Awards Gala during annual PES General Meeting.

The workshop provided insights into PES membership benefits, humanitarian engineering, and career pathways in the power and energy sector. Participants learned how PES involvement can support technical growth, volunteering impact, and professional development.