Vincent of Taiwan Trade Center (TAITRA), Addis Ababa

This session on “Transition from Student to a Young Professional in IEEE” is designed to help students and academic staff gain a clear understanding of IEEE’s value, benefits and opportunities beyond student membership. The discussion will highlight the journey from being a student member to becoming an active Young Professional, emphasizing career growth, networking, leadership development and continuous professional engagement within IEEE.

By showcasing the opportunities available through IEEE Young Professionals, the session aims to inspire sustained participation and reinforce IEEE’s pathway for nurturing future leaders, innovators and active volunteers in the engineering and technology community.

Biography:

Vincent Olema is a Telecom Engineer and innovation/startup leader with over 16 years of proven experience in the telecom industry. He has held key technical and leadership roles at some of Uganda’s leading telecom operators, including MTN Uganda, Airtel Uganda, Uganda Telecom and Orange, where he earned a strong reputation for excellence in network engineering, technology deployment, systems integration, and strategic project management.

He holds Master of Engineering Education from the University of Oslo, MSc in Electrical and Electronics Engineering from the University of Cape Town, and a Master of Vocational Pedagogy from Kyambogo University. He is currently pursuing a PhD in Innovation and Entrepreneurship Engineering, deepening his expertise at the intersection of technology, education, and business-driven innovation.

Vincent is actively engaged in professional engineering communities. He is the Founding and current Chair of the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) Uganda Chapter and a founding member and former Chair of the IEEE Uganda Section. He is also an aspiring registered member of the Uganda Institution of Professional Engineers (UIPE). Through these roles, he champions professional development, standards advancement, and capacity building among engineers and innovators.

Beyond engineering, Vincent, Co-Founder of namunde Lab, Logik Technologies (U), & Trade Manager — Taiwan Trade Center (TAITRA), Addis Ababa, is representing the organization in Uganda. In this strategic position, he facilitates trade intelligence, promotes Taiwanese technologies, and fosters bilateral partnerships that accelerate innovation, manufacturing, and digital transformation in East Africa.

His research interests span technical and vocational education and training (TVET), engineering pedagogy, e-learning systems, innovation and start-up ecosystems, and renewable energy technologies.

Vincent Olema is an engineer, educator, strategist, and ecosystem builder — driven by a relentless commitment to advancing technology, empowering innovation, and shaping sustainable development across Africa and beyond.

Email:

Address:Kampala, , Kampala, Uganda, Uganda

Nurein of Lyca Mobile Group

This Career-Focused Technical Session led by Engineer Alnabhani Nurein is designed to provide practical knowledge-building and professional awareness for students and young engineers. The session will facilitate structured interaction and knowledge exchange between students, industry professionals and academic staff creating a platform for meaningful discussions on current industry trends, career expectations and emerging opportunities in engineering and technology.

Drawing from real-world industry experience, the session will expose participants to practical insights, professional development strategies and the skills required to successfully transition into the workforce and thrive in their careers

Biography:

Nurein is a Senior Member of IEEE and the current Industry Relations Ambassador of the IEEE Uganda Section — a role through which he actively bridges the gap between academia and industry for the next generation of engineers.
With 17 years at the intersection of telecommunications, energy infrastructure, and strategic governance, Nurein currently serves as Project Director – PMO at Lyca Mobile Group UK, overseeing Uganda operations and managing multi-stakeholder programmes aligned with national regulatory frameworks. His career spans large-scale network rollouts for MTN and Airtel and board-level engagement as a member of the Institute of Corporate Governance of Uganda (ICGU). He holds a B.Sc. in Telecommunications Engineering from Makerere University, an M.Sc. in ICT Management from Uganda Martyrs University, and is a current PhD candidate in Cyber Physical Systems at Busitema University.
A practitioner, researcher, and mentor, Nurein believes that engineering excellence and professional leadership are not destinations they are disciplines built one deliberate step at a time.

Email:

Address:Kampala, , Kampala, Uganda, Uganda